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May 29, 2007
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – When NAPA Racing driver Michael Waltrip set out to run his first Busch race nearly 20 years ago at the track nicknamed “The Monster Mile”, a win was probably not a realistic outcome. Despite the odds, the driver came out on top to score the first of his two victories at the high-banked, mile-long oval. Although the odds have seemed to be stacked against him this year, Waltrip remains confident that he can turn his season around and Dover could be the place to get the NAPA Toyota Camry back on track.
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip:
Thoughts on Dover International Raceway:
“I always look forward to heading to Dover. It is one of those tracks where you have to be on top of the wheel 24/7. There is no relaxing at that place, and it reminds me a lot of Bristol. The entire track is banked, and the turns are tight. The turns are the key to getting around Dover. The car has got to be able to turn through the corners in order to carry the momentum through the straightaways. Dover is fun to drive despite the immense challenge it presents. I hope to be out there on Sunday in the NAPA Camry. “Charlotte Speedweeks was obviously disappointing, but my feelings remain the same. We will right the ship. What has happened up until this point will not define who we are as an organization. We continue to move in the right direction, and I hope Dover is a place where we can enjoy some success.”
Michael Waltrip Fast Facts
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip will attempt to qualify for his 677th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race when the 13th event of the 2007 season, the Autism Speaks 400, is held at Dover International Speedway on Sunday.
Waltrip will attempt to start in his 43rd Cup race at the 1-mile track. His best start is 1st (June 2, 1991) and best finish is 5th (two times - Sept. 16, 1990 and Sept. 15, 1991). In total, he has 2 top-5 and 8 top-10 finishes at Dover. Waltrip has completed 16,105 of 19,104 laps (84.3%) at the track and has led a total of 29 laps in competition.
Waltrip ran his first Busch race at Dover and won on Sept. 17, 1988. In total, he has raced in 19 Busch events at the Monster Mile. He has collected 1 pole, 2 victories (Sept. 17, 1988 and June 2, 1990), 2 top-5 and 8 top-10 finishes. He’s led 253 laps in Busch competition at the track.
Entering this weekend’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event, Waltrip is 57th in the driver standings and 49th in owner standings. The NAPA team will need to qualify for the Autism Speaks 400 on time since the No. 55 car is outside the top 35 in owner point standings. A total of 49 cars are entered in the Dover event. Of the entrants, 14 are go-or-go-home teams. Waltrip will be competing for eight qualifying spots, one of which may be used as a past champion’s provisional by Bill Elliott, if needed.
Waltrip is a two-time Daytona 500 champion. He was victorious in 2001 and 2003.
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip Dover International Speedway Statistics
| DATE |
START |
FINISH |
DATE |
START |
FINISH |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/18/1986 |
17 |
12 |
6/1/1997 |
24 |
7 |
|
9/14/1986 |
26 |
16 |
9/21/1997 |
20 |
42 |
|
| 5/31/1987 |
21 |
21 |
5/31/1998 |
21 |
14 |
|
| 9/20/1987 |
40 |
18 |
9/20/1998 |
32 |
20 |
|
| 6/5/1988 |
23 |
36 |
6/6/1999 |
25 |
42 |
|
9/18/1988 |
11 |
12 |
9/26/1999 |
35 |
19 |
|
| 6/4/1989 |
16 |
22 |
6/4/2000 |
15 |
39 |
|
| 9/17/1989 |
16 |
6 |
9/24/2000 |
19 |
24 |
|
| 6/3/1990 |
21 |
26 |
6/3/2001 |
27 |
43 |
|
| 9/16/1990 |
19 |
5 |
9/23/2001 |
27 |
39 |
|
| 6/2/1991 |
1 |
32 |
6/2/2002 |
4 |
21 |
|
| 9/15/1991 |
13 |
5 |
9/22/2002 |
37 |
12 |
|
| 5/31/1992 |
3 |
15 |
6/1/2003 |
16 |
16 |
|
| 9/20/1992 |
24 |
17 |
9/21/2003 |
10 |
42 |
|
| 6/6/1993 |
31 |
27 |
6/6/2004 |
8 |
6 |
|
| 9/19/1993 |
24 |
23 |
9/26/2004 |
5 |
16 |
|
| 6/5/1994 |
34 |
7 |
6/5/2005 |
18 |
13 |
|
| 9/18/1994 |
28 |
33 |
9/25/2005 |
27 |
26 |
|
| 6/4/1995 |
12 |
8 |
6/4/2006 |
33 |
32 |
|
| 9/17/1995 |
30 |
29 |
9/24/2006 |
29 |
28 |
|
| 6/20/1996 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
|
|
| 9/17/1996 |
23 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NASCAR NEXTEL Autism Speaks 400 Broadcast Coverage
Live coverage of the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway begins Sunday, June 3 at 1:00 p.m. EDT on FOX. It can also be heard on your local MRN Radio affiliate and Sirius Satellite Radio starting at the same time.
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