HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Today’s fans have been jolted and numbed to observe in silence the evolving total commercialization - the invasion of big business with their uncompromising “bottom-line” motives – slowly spreading their tentacles into their beloved sports. Fans, by and large, are becoming disenchanted, and the fierce loyalty they once used to display for their chosen sports, and icons, is rapidly dwindling. While most major professional sports may experience such detachment, the case is simply not true in NASCAR.

NASCAR fans not only demonstrate a unique loyalty to their favorite drivers, but also to the sponsors who adorn everything from the cars, haulers, pit boxes and fire suits, and distribute commercials on a national level. It is no secret that NAPA AUTO PARTS has found the perfect match with Michael Waltrip, one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers and pitchmen.

Waltrip climbed behind the wheel of the No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet in 2001, after the sponsor won two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 1996 and 1998. On February 18, 2001, in his first start with DEI, Waltrip parked the NAPA Chevy in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500, also his first NEXTEL Cup Series win. Waltrip and NAPA Racing have won a total of four races together, including the 2003 Daytona 500. NAPA Racing has accumulated 30 wins since its entrance into NASCAR in 1996.

With four races remaining in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup Championship, the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge will return to Atlanta Motor Speedway for Watrip’s 43rd career start at the track. “Returning to Atlanta is almost like going home for me because NAPA is headquartered there. A lot of employees will be present at the races this weekend that are unable to travel to other tracks. My job as their driver is not only to win races, but help NAPA sell parts. Hopefully, with their support, we can do both,” Waltrip said.

NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip on the Bass Pro Shops 500...

What are your thoughts on returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway?
“When I look back through my career at the tracks I’ve raced and the accomplishments I’ve made, Atlanta is special to me because I won my first NASCAR race there. It was a Goody’s Dash Series race in 1983, the same year I won the Series championship. The speedway is your typical mile and a half track which we have plenty of practice on in the NEXTEL Cup Series. Over the years, I’ve come to know exactly what to expect from the track and it’s one that the other 42 drivers out there are comfortable with. We’re taking the same car we took to Indy, but I can assure you we’ll be more competitive at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Atlanta is the home of my sponsor NAPA, so this is a very important race for me on several levels. As a competitor, I want to win badly. But with so many loyal NAPA employees standing behind me this year, my drive to win is that much greater. A lot of our partners are located in the area too. It would be great to earn our best finish of the season there. We’re going to put ourselves in the best position to make an impact at the end of the race.”