COKE ZERO 400 - DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

NAPA RACING PRESS BOX FEATURING MICHAEL WALTRIP

What is your goal for Daytona?

"Daytona is a place that I always look forward to going to. I have run well there and I have won three times. We didn't get the result we thought we deserved in this year's Daytona 500. We got in a crash late in the race when we finally got the car tuned up and ready to go after it. Then at our second restrictor-place race of the season, we had a chance to win at Talladega before our engine blew on the final lap. So we plan to go to Daytona with the mindset to sit on the pole and win the race."

Daytona produces some of the closest finishes. What is the key to winning?

"People have always said that restrictor-plate racing is all about the car. We as drivers know you have to drive the heck out of the cars at Daytona. I have also never underestimated the importance of a good handling car. When we are practicing on Thursday, I will try and run off the bottom. I will run through the middle. I will put my car in a position to try and make it not handle well. I will then come to the garage and work on it. I've seen so many times at Daytona where if you can get your car to stick, and leave your big right foot on the floor, it's a huge advantage.

"You can win the Coke Zero 400 in many different fashions. The reason why we see all the crazy finishes is because with 10 laps to go, there always seems to be a caution. Now all of a sudden, there is a fist fight. A brawl will break out and you don't know who will be the winner until the very end. I like the way Greg Biffle did it a few years back by out-handling all the other drivers. I won my July race in somewhat the same fashion. Dale Jr. and I were a threat. We were both handling well. He decided to make a move to try and pass me, but I was able to hold him off to win. This race can be won in many different ways and that's why the end of the race at Daytona is so fun to watch."

Is there something extra special about Daytona?

"I am hanging my career on it that Daytona is special. I have two Daytona 500 wins and close to 700 losses. I believe my Daytona 500 wins have defined my career. I have been fortunate to also win the July race. My ability to run at the front and win the Daytona 500 is something that I can be proud of. I would trade 11 victories for one win at Daytona so I am real thankful for what I have been able to accomplish in my career when it comes to Daytona."

Michael Waltrip Fast Facts

• NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip will qualify for his 707th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race when the 18th event of the 2008 season, the Coke Zero 400, is held at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Saturday night.
• Waltrip will start in his 43rd Cup race at the 2.5-mile track. His best start is second (Feb. 17, 2008, July 3, 2004) and best finish is first (Feb. 18, 2001, July 6, 2002, Feb. 16, 2003) in the NAPA AUTO PARTS machine.
• Waltrip has completed 6,944 of 7,634 laps (91.0%) at the track and has led a total of 350 laps in competition. His average start is 16th and average finish is 21st.
• Entering this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, Waltrip is 29th in the driver points and 28th in owner standings. The NAPA team is guaranteed a starting spot in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. A total of 46 teams are entered at DIS.