Charlotte, North Carolina (May 28, 2006) – Michael Waltrip and the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS team entered Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 under much difficulty only to retire early from NASCAR’s longest event. One position outside the top-35 of owners’ points, Waltrip was forced to qualify on time, but a poor handling race car resulted in the 47th fastest qualifying run. It appeared Waltrip would not participate in this year’s event, putting his 262 consecutive NEXTEL Cup starts in jeopardy. Waltrip last missed a Cup race at Phoenix in 1998. His streak of consecutive starts ranks sixth.

Michael Waltrip Racing struck a deal with Derrick Cope to purchase his No. 74 Dodge and enter the Coca-Cola 600 in 43rd position. Cope ran 181.843 mph during his qualifying run whereas Waltrip managed 179.892 mph on his fastest lap. In the hours leading up to Saturday’s practice, the No. 55 NAPA crew went to work on the race car adorning it with the NAPA shield, logos and colors. The No. 55 NAPA Dodge was completed in time for all practice sessions.

The engine fired on the No. 55 NAPA Dodge after a moving salute to U.S. troops on the front stretch of Lowe’s Motor Speedway and soon the race was underway. On lap 33, Tony Stewart hit the wall hard to bring out the race’s first caution and prevented Waltrip from going a lap down to race leader Scott Riggs. Michael Waltrip radioed to his crew on lap 43 concerned about a vibration in the turns, “For some reason, it’s vibrating the tires off of it in the center of the turn. It’s what I explained yesterday. A harsh vibration in the left front.”

Waltrip was riding in 39th position on lap 57 when crew chief Joe Shear radioed, “What’s it doing now?” Waltrip responded, “What it’s done from the start…locks up the front end in the center of the turn.” Several laps later, Waltrip nearly lost control of the No. 55 NAPA Dodge coming out of turn four. On lap 62, Waltrip was in 40th position and the last car remaining on the lead lap when Kurt Busch lost control on lap 65 to create a caution. Waltrip drove onto pit road and the NAPA team closed off both front shocks and took two pounds out of the left rear springs. Waltrip radioed after leaving the pit, “You go down into the corner and it feels like the sway bar is loaded up 10 lbs., and when you go into the corner it vibrates real bad, but when we come out it’s better.” The field restarted on lap 70. Waltrip climbed to 36th position during the caution.

Debris on the track forced another caution on lap 91. Waltrip radioed to his crew, “It’s not vibrating as bad, but it’s killer loose.” However, the car’s handling would deteriorate on lap 113 as Waltrip radioed, “You can’t get on the gas. I’ve never felt a car this way before. It just vibrates through the center and makes the tires just chatter.” By lap 120, Waltrip was back on pit road. The No. 55 NAPA Dodge had broken a left front wheel bearing. The race was over for the No. 55 NAPA Dodge and Waltrip finished in 41st position.

Kasey Kahne, who dominated nearly one-third of the race, took the checkered flag for his third win of the 2006 season. Jimmie Johnson’s streak ended at LMS as he followed in second position. Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five.

The Neighborhood Excellence 400, the next race on the NNCS schedule, will take place at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, June 4, 2006. Coverage will begin at 1:30 pm on FX and MRN.