TOUGH TIMES FOR MIKEY

April 25, Chico, CA--- Michael Waltrip has more then shown that in NASCAR, he can be the real deal, as a 2-time Daytona 500 winner, Waltrip has seen good times as a driver. As an owner, well, things have not been as bright. Driving the No. 55 Toyota, Waltrip has raced one time this season, and that was in the Daytona 500, at the beginning of the year, where he started near the back because of a rules violation in the 150’s heat races. He has failed to qualify for a race since. With one new and several old sponsors hanging on, and a new manufacturer, should he be worried? 

Finding steady sponsorship in the racing world these days can be slim pickings, as sometime even the best drivers are looking for a name or company to decorate a car with. Michael Waltrip has always seemed to be able to get a number of companies to ride along with him. He seems to be one of the best salesmen on the track; but should Toyota, Napa, and others be worried about his lack of starts this year? As a car owner, it has been a challenge for Waltrip, too.  Driver Dale Jarrett has been in all six of the Nextel Cup races this year, having to use a former champion provisional just to make the field four times. Rookie driver David Reutimann has made only four of the six races in his No. 00 Camry. 

Watching the Michael Waltrip Racing team has been like seeing a train wreck, you don’t want to watch--- you just can’t look away. Has he bitten off more then he can chew?  

“We can't point our fingers at any one particular thing. We just need to understand that, as a whole, we just need to improve. We've got a lot of figuring out to do." Waltrip said recently.  

Maybe Mikey should step back as a driver and just be a car owner, and let someone else take the seat for him. What could it hurt? There is no going back now. With rumors of Napa pulling out of their contact and looking to RCR and the #31 team or maybe Roush Racing and the #16,  things not looking much better for the team. It seems some major changes are needed. I just don’t see Toyota and others continuing to spend money watching his race cars go home each and every weekend.  

I look forward to the days of Michael Waltrip in victory lane again, but has his “Dream Machine” become a “living nightmare”? I can’t help but think of his older brother Darrell Waltrip, in the last years of his racing career, starting in the back week after week. Well at least he started the race.  

This struggle seems to have no end, Toyota Racing Development, has said that they are starting from scratch, and rebuilding to improving the cars. Well only time will tell what becomes of this. I personally hope to see Toyota improve, but most of all to see Michael Waltrip get back on track. I miss the great interviews he gives after or before a race. Come on Mikey; get it together and let’s see you up front this week at Talladega.

---

 Runkle has worked for Causey Motorsports in Hampton, Va. for 4 years, was a part-time Crew Chief for Rette Causey,  driver of #33 INEX/Legends car in 2005 at Langley Speedway in Virginia, as well as being a crew member for Brad Causey in Grand Stock division at Langley Speedway.  He's currently the webmaster of CauseyRacing.com.

Runkle has been racing "online" for about 5 years, served in the US Navy as a Gunners Mate in the Navy Seabees and is currently living in Chico, Ca. in the beautiful North Valley of California, with his wife Kristina. God Bless all of the troops serving around the world!

For any question, comments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” please feel free to email him at Runksix3@gmail.com. Don welcomes anything you have to say and he will get back to you. If you have something you would like for Don to cover, let him know.  And as always, thanks for reading his column.

---