ANNOUNCEMENT #1: To my daughter Hannah, Happy 11th Birthday! Daddy’s proud of you.
ANNOUNCEMENT #2: Be sure to be with us tomorrow for a special Speed Weeks Edition of Fearless Forecast. NASCAR Mechanic Patrick Reynolds, Uber fan Jeremy Sellers, the lovely and talented Mustang Jackie and me offer up our “Fearless Forecasts” for the 2009 season.
It’s all easy to write Michael Waltrip off as NASCAR’s resident goofball- the class clown of Sprint Cup Racing. After all, he started out in the long shadow cast by his more accomplished brother Darrell, a 3-time champion and winner of 84 races. This is also the same Michael Waltrip who walked away from a mysterious off-track crash, and the same Waltrip who endured embarrassing sanctions at the outset of the 2007, his first year with Toyota.
All that’s behind the Mikey and Beak Show now and things may be looking up.
Today, good news came on the sponsorship front. According to a radio report from Joe Moore, and confirmed later by Jayski, David Reutimann has secured a full season of sponsorship from Aaron’s- one less thing to worry about for the team whose driver who started to come on at the tail end of 2008.
Reutimann says his team found something down the home stretch, and they truly believe he can build on the improvements made in 2008. Beak finished 22nd in the points and posted 3 top 10s, an improvement over what was a very rough inaugural campaign for all the Toyota teams in 2007.
Breaking free of the “go or go home” status has produce a real sense of relief
and will allow the Waltrip cars to focus more on racing trim and set-ups as opposed to putting all their energy into just making the show. The Floridian just looks a lot more confident and he also seems to be gaining respect among his peers. In my opinion, he may still tend to take too much garbage from other more aggressive drivers, but on the other hand, Mikey knows he has a driver who will do a good job of bringing the car home. David cut his DNFs from 9 to 4, while running 10 more races than he qualified for in 2007.
Reutimann also put up solid numbers in the Nationwide Series with a 7th place standing in the points.
As for Waltrip- he’s said this is his make or break year. He’s as much as said that if he can’t keep up with Reutimann, he’ll find someone else to drive the #55 NAPA-sponsored Camry. Mikey says he’s feeling energized and feeling better about himself as he overcomes professional and personal adversity. Acrew chief I’ve always respected, Mr. Robert “Bootie” Barker comes on board, and puts a strong mind on the team. The winner of 4 Cup competition races also made significant strides to 29th in the final points for 2008.
People may think I’m looking through beer goggles when I look for another step forward for MWR, but you know what? You don’t survive as long as these guys have unless you’ve learned a thing or two. While he’s struggled with inconsistency, it wasn’t that long ago Michael Waltrip was a reliable top 20 driver.
With all the juggling that’s gone on in this series, it’s not ridiculous to think that there’ll be a few dark horses out there who’ll surprise a few people.
Michael Waltrip just might be one of those organizations.
OR……I just might be as crazy as you think I am.
PHOTO CREDITS- MWR Shop by stevieontario, Reutimann by Walter G. Arce and Waltrip by plstt. More work by these photographers may be found at flickr.com.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been a MW fan for many years but I think he needs to decide if he wants to be the driver or owner. The way things are today I don’t think anyone is able to do both well.
@Rufus. I think you’re right. To be perfectly honest, I think a 20th or below finish should warrant a move towards ownership. Looks like Beak could break out, showing the equipment is getting to where it needs to be, so it puts on the driver.
He should have quit driving years ago.
As long as mikey drives i will be a fan.
Mikey will do just fine! I’m a diehard fan of his and so is my family and we all believe he can do it! Give him a chance!!