April 13, 2007

FORT WORTH– Michael Waltrip and the NAPA Racing team did not qualify for the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway after severe thunderstorms led to the cancellation of Friday’s qualifying session.

With qualifying rained out, the 43-car starting field was determined by owners’ points, per NASCAR regulations. Waltrip is 50th in the owner standings and ranked 48th of the drivers entered for the Texas event.

Jeff Gordon will start from the pole for Sunday’s race, followed by Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards.

Three Toyota teams will compete in the Samsung 500. Brian Vickers will start 36th, followed by Waltrip’s teammate Dale Jarrett in 37th and Dave Blaney in 40th. Michael Waltrip Racing driver David Reutimann was classified 44th based on owner points and narrowly missed making the field.

Live coverage of the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway begins Sunday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX. If you can’t catch the race on TV, it can be heard on your local PRN Radio affiliate and Sirius Satellite Radio starting at the same time. Remember to check your local listings as dates and times of the race may change.

Samsung 500 Starting Lineup:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/7/data/lineup.html

Practice 1 Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/7/data/practice1_speeds.html

Next Up:
Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 21
2006 Winner: Kevin Harvick
2006 Pole Winner: Kyle Busch
Television: FOX at 8 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio at 8 p.m. ET