Waltrip Relegated to 27th Place
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Michael Waltrip and the NAPA Racing team were in contention for their second win at the Talladega Superspeedway during Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. Waltrip, with Jimmie Johnson pushing him, made a play for the lead against Kyle Busch when coming to the white flag. But moments later, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota’s engine expired. Waltrip managed to make it to the finish and avoid a 10-car wreck to finish 27th. Busch claimed the victory for Toyota.
“My day was fun,” said Waltrip who started the 188-lap race in 27th position. “On Friday, I felt like I had a car that could run up front. Today, I realized I didn’t have the strongest car, but I was able to get into position for the win. Coming to the white flag, we lost the engine. I am real disappointed. It was a bummer for the entire team and NAPA. To end up finishing 27th is tough. If the engine would have held together, I really think we had a shot to win it. I know a lot of drivers say that, but I honestly believe it. It’s unfortunate what happened, but it is part of racing.”
The first half of the Aaron’s 499 saw Waltrip, Johnson, Casey Mears and Clint Bowyer ride just behind the lead draft. Waltrip commented to crew chief Bobby Kennedy that his car did not run like it did in Daytona. The difference in power did not appear to handicap the NAPA Racing team as Waltrip made his first appearance of the race in the top 10 by lap 76 when he drove up to seventh position.
The NAPA team’s third stop of the event was scheduled for lap 102, but rookie driver Sam Hornish Jr. made contact with Waltrip’s Toyota on lap 95. The driver feared it could lead to a problem with his left rear tire, so the team’s service was moved up to lap 97 under green. Waltrip relinquished seventh place for two left side tires and fuel. The NAPA machine rejoined the field in 29th place.
Debris brought out the second caution of the race on lap 117. Waltrip pitted for two tires and fuel. The fast stop helped Waltrip pick up four positions on the track to restart the race on lap 121 in 16th place. Three more caution flags were thrown on laps 144,160 and 165. Shortly thereafter, the charge to the front was back on for the NAPA team despite Waltrip’s concerns that his car was not fast enough on its own. Kennedy reminded his driver that his Nationwide victory in Nashville a few years back came under similar circumstances. The reminder may have recharged the driver as he made his way to sixth place before the caution was back out on lap 174 for a multi-car crash involving Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr., Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kennedy kept his driver out and when the race restarted on lap 177, Waltrip was in sixth and Kyle Busch was first.
The race was once again slowed on lap 181 after Bobby Labonte spun in Turn 4 as Waltrip took over the top spot. As before, Kennedy kept his driver out to contend for his second victory at Talladega with just five laps remaining in the Aaron’s 499. Waltrip and Johnson once again teamed up as the green flag waved on lap 183. Waltrip’s lead was short lived as Kyle Busch shuffled Waltrip out of the lead pack. Waltrip and Johnson were able to regroup to make another charge at Busch when coming out of Turn 4 as the white flag flew. Waltrip felt a good push and the duo was about to freight train past Busch when the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota engine expired. The misfortune sent Waltrip from second to 27th place on the final lap.
“Our finish was disappointing,” said Waltrip. “But it does make me feel good about our chances at Daytona in July. In February, I had a fast car, but it just didn’t handle properly. Here, I had a great handling car. I just didn’t have the power it needed to be a consistent leader. At the end, it looked like it was all going to come together at the right time and it just broke. I feel really good about our chances in Daytona.”
Busch’s victory was his second of the season and third for Toyota. Rounding out the top-10 finishers were Juan Pablo Montoya, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Brian Vickers, Travis Kvapil, Casey Mears, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Michael Waltrip Racing teammates David Reutimann and Michael McDowell finished 20th and 26th, respectively. Entering the 10th event of the season, all three MWR teams will have starting spots in the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 3. The race broadcast will start at 7 p.m. ET on FOX and MRN radio.
Aaron’s 499 Unofficial Race Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/9/data/results_unofficial.html
Aaron’s 499 Lap-By-Lap:
http://www.nascar.com/2008/races/lapbylap/04/27/talladega/index.html
NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Standings (Waltrip – 31st):
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/data/standings_unofficial.html
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