At age 11, Michael Waltrip already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. He would follow his dream to become a champion race car driver like his older brother Darrell.

The younger Waltrip began his career racing go-karts in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. His stock car racing career took off in 1981, when he won the Mini-Modified division track championship at Kentucky Motor Speedway.

In 1983, Waltrip won the NASCAR Dash Series championship. Soon after, he moved to North Carolina, where he resided with NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty and his wife Lynda. Waltrip credits Richard not only with giving him his first job, but also with providing the advice and guidance that prepared him for his future as a successful driver and car owner.

In 1985, Waltrip started five NASCAR Cup Series events for Richard (Dick) Bahre, making his debut at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May. The following year, Waltrip completed his first full season in the Cup Series, finishing 19th in the point standings driving for Bahre. Waltrip drove for Chuck Rider from 1987 to 1995 and the Wood Brothers from 1996 to 1998.

Waltrip drove for James (Jim) Smith from 1999 to 2000 in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2001, Waltrip moved to Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) to drive the NAPA AUTO PARTS race car. In 2006, Waltrip-Jasper Racing, a new team affiliated with Bill Davis Racing, fielded Waltrip’s No. 55 NAPA machine. Overall in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition, Waltrip has five wins, including the prestigious Daytona 500 twice and the sport’s All-Star event, three poles, 38 top-five finishes and 122 top-10 performances.

As Waltrip competes for the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship in the No. 55 NAPA Toyota, he will expand his role as a car owner with three NEXTEL Cup Series teams.

2007 also marks the grand opening of Waltrip Raceworld, a one-of-a-kind race shop and interactive fan experience.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS			FAST FACTS
Career Starts:	675		Date of Birth:	April 30, 1963
Career Wins:	4		Hometown:	Owensboro, Ky.
Career Poles:	3		Residence:	Sherrills Ford, N.C.
First Start:	May 26, 1985 (Lowe’s)		Height/Weight:	6' 5"/200 lbs.
First Win:	Feb. 18, 2001 (Daytona)		Spouse:	Elizabeth "Buffy"
First Pole:	May 31, 1991 (Dover)		Children:	Caitlin (17), Macy (9)
Best Championship Finish:	12th (1994, 1995)		Hobbies:	Distance running, golf

2006	Named inaugural Toyota NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team owner/driver.
2005	Won Gatorade Duel 150 at Daytona to start season. Claimed the pole at Pocono Raceway and finished second at Phoenix International Raceway. Posted three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Raised $1 million for personal fundraising initiative, OPERATION MARATHON. Ran the Las Vegas Marathon in less than four hours.
2004	Secured nine top-10 results, including runner-up finish in the Coca-Cola 600 en route to 20th in the NEXTEL Cup Series point standings. Launched OPERATION MARATHON, a $1 million charity fundraising initiative benefiting the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
2003	Won the Daytona 500 for the second time in three years, becoming the all-time money winner at Daytona International Speedway and just the eighth driver to win multiple Daytona 500 races. Won at Talladega Superspeedway and secured a career record of eight top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes. Ranked in the top 10 in points for 27 consecutive weeks before finishing 15th overall.
2002	Earned Pepsi 400 victory at Daytona International Speedway. Won a Gatorade Twin-125 qualifying race. Finished 14th in the point championship by securing four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.
2001	Won the Daytona 500, his first NASCAR Cup Series victory. Scored two additional top-five finishes.
2000	Hired by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to drive the No.15 NAPA Chevrolet in 2001. Ran three marathons: Boston, Kiawah Island, S.C., and Tampa, Fla.
1999	Posted one top-five finish and led two restrictor-plate races after joining Mattei Motorsports.
1998	Recorded five top-10 finishes and finished 17th overall in final season with the Wood Brothers.
1997	Logged six top-10 finishes on his way to an 18th-place finish in the final point standings.
1996	Won "The Winston" in his inaugural season with the Wood Brothers. First driver ever to win the event after transferring from the Winston Open. Finished 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings.
1995	Tied his career-best 12th-place finish in points and posted two top-five and eight top-10 results.
1994	Finished third in the Winston Select at Talladega. Ended season 12th in the final point standings.
1993	Won NASCAR Busch Series event at Bristol and proposed to future wife Buffy in Victory Lane. Posted five top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series.
1992	Recorded one top-five and two top-10 NASCAR Cup Series finishes.
1991	Qualified on the pole at Dover and Michigan. Posted four top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.
1990	Earned five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in 29 starts.
1989	Claimed five top-10 finishes and ended season 18th in NASCAR Cup Series point standings.
1988	Recorded his first top-five finish by finishing second at Pocono.
1987	Finished 10th at Martinsville, his first top-10 result.
1986	Made 28 starts in his first full-time NASCAR Cup Series season.
1985	Made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.