MARTINSVILLE, Va. – The NAPA Racing team finished 35th in Sunday’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Driver Michael Waltrip was running in 20th place after the restart on lap 187 when he made contact with the No. 8 car driven by Aric Almirola. The NAPA team worked to repair its Camry to enable Waltrip to finish the race and gain valuable track position.
“The NAPA team had a disappointing day,” said Waltrip who started the race in 16th position. “I just hate it when things get messed up for us. We really had a good car and we were right where we needed to be when I got into the back of another car. I had no idea the cars in front of me were stopping. I messed up. It’s just disappointing. We need to be smarter as a team and take advantage of the situation when we have a good car.”
The start to Waltrip’s race proved to be promising. Jeff Gordon led the way as the NAPA Camry worked its way up to the 14th spot before the first caution of the day came out on lap 21. Then just six laps later, Kurt Busch drove into the NAPA Camry sending it sliding up the track heading into Turn 4. Waltrip managed to keep his car off the wall, but Busch’s maneuver cost the NAPA team significant track position.
Crew chief Bobby Kennedy opted for a two-tire service during the team’s fourth stop of the afternoon on lap 107 to help regain track position. The strategy worked. Waltrip moved from 33rd to 22nd place. The event resumed on lap 110, and Jimmie Johnson was the leader. During this segment, most, if not all of the frontrunners were racing on four fresh tires. Waltrip’s two-tire deficit did not show as he comfortably kept up the pace. His only request to Kennedy during the team’s next service was a need for more forward bite.
Debris caused a caution on lap 180. Waltrip entered the pits for an air pressure change and four fresh tires. Overall, he really liked the handling of his NAPA Camry and thought it turned really well. The team’s race resumed on lap 187 in 20th place, however, shortly after the restart, several cars in front of Waltrip suddenly slowed down. Unfortunately for Waltrip, he did not see the cars slowing down which caused him to run into the back of Aric Almirola. The NAPA Camry sustained damage to the front as well as the right side of the car. It required attention so Waltrip came down pit road on lap 194. The service lasted for six laps, and when Waltrip returned to the race, he was in 43rd place.
Despite being battered and bruised, the NAPA Camry’s lap times were very competitive. The driver even came over the radio to say his car was taking the corners better than it had before the accident. Waltrip also asked Kennedy to further study the car when it returned to Michael Waltrip Racing to see what could be learned from it.
With less than 200 laps to go, Waltrip found his car turned around again after Almirola initiated the contact. Waltrip had problems getting the car restarted, and after getting a push, the NAPA team was back in business. In the closing laps, Waltrip was able to pick up eight spots on the track to finish in 35th place.
The winner of the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 was Denny Hamlin in a Toyota Camry. Rounding out the top-10 finishers were Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, and Clint Bowyer.
Michael Waltrip Racing’s Michael McDowell finished his first Sprint Cup race in 26th place. David Reutimann experienced mechanical failure after leading several laps to finish 39th, respectively.
Next up for the Sprint Cup teams is the seventh event of the season, the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 30. The race broadcast will start at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX and PRN radio.
Goody’s Cool Orange 500 Unofficial Race Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/6/data/results_unofficial.html
Goody’s Cool Orange 500 Lap-By-Lap:
http://www.nascar.com/2008/races/lapbylap/03/29/martinsville/index.html
NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Standings (Waltrip – 32nd):
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/data/standings_unofficial.html
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