Daytona, Florida (July 1, 2006) – The patriotic Stars & Stripes paint scheme adorning the No. 55 NAPA Dodge glistened under the lights at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night, but early tire trouble knocked Michael Waltrip out of contention for his second Pepsi 400 victory on NASCAR’s biggest stage.

After his best qualifying performance of the 2006 season, Michael Waltrip and the No. 55 NAPA Dodge were forced to start the Pepsi 400 at the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments to the racecar. However, early adjustments to the NAPA hotrod allowed Waltrip to quickly compensate for the poor start.

On-track debris forced a caution on Lap 8 of the event. “Let’s take on four new tires and take some wedge out. I’m a little tight. Nothing terrible, but I know I can do better,” Waltrip radioed his crew as he steered the NAPA machine onto pit road. The NAPA AUTO PARTS team completed air pressure and wedge adjustments in lightening fashion picking up five positions on the restart.

On Lap 33, Waltrip climbed to 28th position, but had to pit ten laps later due to a right front tire issue. Although a severe fender rub had equalized the tire causing the NAPA team to go a lap down on pit road, green flag stops by the race leaders allowed Waltrip to get back on the lead lap.

“We’re wearing the right front tire off. It’s giving up,” Waltrip radioed his crew shortly before scraping the wall on Lap 68. At the halfway mark, Waltrip was in 41st position, one lap behind leader Tony Stewart, when the No. 55 NAPA Dodge slowed off the pace on the back straightaway. The right front tire had gone flat. The resulting pit stop sent the NAPA team two laps behind the leaders. Problems continued as the NAPA team struggled to communicate with Waltrip due to a failing radio.

The NAPA AUTO PARTS team fought hard to win back the two laps as the race approached the 100 lap mark. Waltrip put together an impressive run as the No. 55 NAPA Dodge drafted with the leaders in the front of the field. Waltrip’s laps closely mirrored those of the leaders. A lack of cautions, however, prevented Waltrip from gaining positions and the NAPA Dodge finished in 38th position.

Tony Stewart, who led 85 of the 160 laps, was back to his on-track dominance as he led when the race was stopped on the final lap for a debris caution. The win was his second of the season and ended a slump that began six races ago when he broke his shoulder blade in an accident at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Boris Said, and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five. Points leader Jimmie Johnson finished in 32nd position after a late collision with Bobby Labonte. He remains eight points ahead of second place driver Matt Kenseth.

Next week’s USG Sheetrock 400 will take place at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, July 9, 2006. Coverage will begin at 3:00 pm on TNT and MRN.