#00 Team Past News and Rumors
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2007 News
P.J. Jones in for Reutimann at Sonoma: PJ Jones will qualify and race the #00 Toyota for David Reutimann during the Nextel Cup Series event weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. While Jones is in Sonoma, Reutimann will be at the Milwaukee Mile preparing to race the #99 Toyota in the Busch Series event to maintain his top-five (fourth-place) points position.(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(6-16-2007)
Waltrip's Raceworld opens: Michael Waltrip Racing’s ‘Raceworld USA’ opened to the public on Wed., May 16, in time for race weeks at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The 140,000 square-foot facility encompasses more than 11 acres and houses the world’s first interactive fan destination race shop accessible to the public. The facility is located off I-77 at exit 28 in Cornelius.(Toyota PR)(5-17-2007)
Reutimann's car to have both sponsors at Nextel Open: David Reutimann competes in his first-ever Nextel Open behind the wheel of the #00 Toyota co-sponsored by Burger King Restaurants and Domino's Pizza in an attempt to transfer to the Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend. "We've got an entirely different look to the car this weekend," Reutimann said. "Both Domino's and Burger King Corporation are on the car." Reutimann's car has transitioned from blue to black as the Burger King logo is displayed on the Michael Waltrip Racing entry for the first time in a split design with Domino's Pizza before the beginning of their primary sponsorship during the Coca-Cola 600 for 19 Nextel Cup Series events. "Burger King Corporation and Domino's Pizza are incredible sponsors," Reutimann said. "Domino's is passing the torch to Burger King Corporation at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The car will be a split design for the Nextel Open and then Burger King Corporation will be the primary sponsor for the remainder of the season."(MWR PR)(5-17-2007)
Brooklyn beats Philly for #00 Pizza scheme: David Reutimann's #00-Toyota Camry will be sporting a paint scheme hyping Domino's Brooklyn Style pizza, the winner of the company's "Great Debate" in which fans chose Brooklyn over the Philly Cheese Steak pie in a matchup intended to mirror the sporting competition between New York and Philadelphia. The two-week promotion drew more than 50,000 voters online and at Phoenix and Texas Motor Speedway, where 25,000 slices were served.(USA Today), see images of the schemes on my #00 Team Schemes page.(4-27-2007)
Domino's pits Philly [go!] against Brooklyn....pizza: Domino's Brooklyn-style pizza and its Philly Cheesesteak pizza will go head to head in consumer voting, with the winner getting a free ride on David Reutimann's #00 Toyota. Domino's, which co-sponsors the Michael Waltrip Racing car with Burger King, will run a special paint scheme featuring the style of pizza with the most votes, likely for the Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway on April 29. The promotion, expected to launch this week, will encourage consumers to vote for which style of pizza they prefer. A voting page will be established at dominos.com and teamdominos.com; web advertising on NASCAR.com will direct potential voters to the voting site. Print advertising also will be used to support the promotion. In addition to its team sponsorship, Domino's owns status as NASCAR's official pizza delivery through 2008.(Sporting News/SportsBusiness Journal), see images of the schemes on my #00 Team Schemes page. VOTE at: dominos.com.(4-4-2007)
Reutimann doing well, ready for COT test and Mexico UPDATE not testing at Bristol: Following a hard crash at California Speedway during the Nextel Cup Series event, David Reutimann is doing well and is focused on racing his #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Busch Series Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 on Sunday, March 4th at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. “I feel really good and I’m ready to race the Aaron’s Dream Machine this weekend,” Reutimann said. “My left foot hurts a little bit and I’m walking with just a slight limp. The swelling has gone way down. If I can have something like that happen and come through it with just that little bit, I’ll take it any day. It’s a combination of several things that helped me walk away,” Reutimann continued. “It’s the faith in the man above looking over me, to the safety crew working quickly, to the SAFER barrier wall system in place (which I’m a huge advocate of), down to my helmet and HANS device. Also, it is the seat that I used that was made by Randy LaJoie's company (The Joie of Seating). It’s all the things that NASCAR mandates to help us. NASCAR does a phenomenal job in keeping their drivers safe. Because of all those things combined, I’m going to test the #00 Domino’s Pizza Cup car at Bristol Motor Speedway tomorrow.” Following his Car of Tomorrow Nextel Cup Series test at Bristol Motor Speedway, Reutimann boards a plane on Thursday for Mexico. This will be Reutimann’s first visit to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and his first time racing on a road course. To help prepare for the 2.518-mile road course, Reutimann attended Bondurant Racing School in Phoenix, Ariz., in December.(MWR PR)(2-28-2007)
UPDATE: David Reutimann is not taking part in the test of the "car of tomorrow" at Bristol Motor Speedway this morning as he continues to recover from his hard crash in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Mark Green is testing the car in the first session of the official NASCAR test at the track. Reutimann does plan to get in his Michael Waltrip Racing #00 Toyota by the end of the day.
"I'm getting better," he said Wednesday morning at Bristol. "It's a slower process, as far as feeling better, than you'd like, but it's coming along pretty good, so I'll hopefully be OK here at some point during the day," He said he would let Green "do all the hard work," but then he plans to go make some laps. He says that his body is still recovering from the incident and admitted that he spent most of Monday in bed. He did not see a doctor other than those at California Speedway but says that NASCAR officials checked in with him Monday to monitor his condition. He will not test at Bristol tomorrow, instead heading to Mexico City for the Busch Series race there. And he's hoping that this is the last time he endures a crash of this nature.(SceneDaily.com)(2-28-2007)
Reutimann's crash among hardest ever recorded by NASCAR: The g-force impact during David Reutimann's crash Sunday at California Speedway is among the hardest ever recorded, NASCAR officials told ESPN.com on Monday. NASCAR doesn't disclose exact figures. "We can't say it's the hardest [impact], period, because there are so many variables involved," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. "But it is among the hardest impacts we've recorded." Reutimann was riding along one lap down with 11 laps remaining in the Auto Club 500 when #16-Greg Biffle approached from behind. Biffle tapped Reutimann, sending the #00 Domino's Pizza Toyota head-on into the outside wall. The car lifted off the ground and was completely destroyed. The in-car video feed showed Reutimann slumped over the steering wheel, appearing to be knocked unconscious. But MWR vice president Ty Norris told ESPN.com Monday that Reutimann stressed to the team he was not unconscious, but rather was unable to breathe upon impact. Norris said Reutimann's left foot is badly bruised, having gotten hung up in the pedals during the crash. Reutimann flew home with the team Sunday night and slept for some 80% of the flight, Norris said. Norris said Reutimann's speech is clear, but he's walking with a noticeable limp. Reutimann is resting at home, and still plans to run the Busch Series race this weekend in Mexico City, Norris said.(ESPN.com)(2-26-2007)
Waltrip partners up with Wells for the #00 team: Michael Waltrip Racing has partnered with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells for the ownership of the #00 Domino's/Burger King Toyota. The team will be known as Waltrip-PPI Racing with Michael Waltrip Racing as the managing partner, MWR general manager Ty Norris said Friday. That means the car, driven by David Reutimann, will have the points of the #32 car from last season, which was 37th in points and not in the top 35 to be locked in for the first five races.
Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby confirmed Friday those points only help in case of a rainout of all qualifying for the Daytona 500 (and possibly at the expense of the Waltrip's #55). Having qualifying wiped out for the Daytona 500 is a highly unlikely scenario with four days to get qualifying speeds posted and three days to get the 150-mile qualifying races completed. If qualifying gets rained out at other tracks, the 2006 owner points are used to set the top 35, but are not used as criteria if qualifying attempts are needed to fill the field. Norris said as Michael Waltrip Racing was building up its team, it had a need for equipment and personnel that Wells had.
"It really doesn't change anything for marketing purposes - but Cal Wells is involved as the car owner," Norris said. "There may be some benefit to us [in qualifying], but whether there is or not, we were starting a new team that needed some people. "Cal's whole 32 pit crew is the pit crew for Michael Waltrip now. There are a lot of things that we did with Cal, and if there is a benefit that comes along with it in the rainout provision, that would be good for us." Michael Waltrip Racing would retain the points if PPI Motorsports returns to competition in 2008, Norris said.(SceneDaily.com)(2-10-2007)
Kerr named Reuitmann's crew chief: Frank Kerr will replace Larry Carter as crew chief for #00-David Reutimann at Michael Waltrip Racing. Carter recently left MWR to become the crew chief for #26-Jamie McMurray at Roush Racing. "Frankie has been running our testing and Reutimann has been our test driver because everybody else has been busy," Waltrip said. "They've had some wonderful tests and have worked real well together." An official announcement is expected over the next few days. Kerr, a former car chief for #7-Robby Gordon and crew chief for Travis Kvapil in the Busch Series, will join Matt Borland (#44-Dale Jarrett) and David Hyder (#55-Waltrip) as crew chiefs for MWR's three Nextel Cup teams.(ESPN.com)(1-3-2007)
2006 News
Carter leaves MWR? heads to Roush? UPDATE: hearing that Crew Chief Larry Carter, recently announced as #00-David Reutimann's crew chief at Michael Waltrip Racing, supposedly has left MWR and will be #26-Jamie McMurray' crew chief at Roush Racing.(12-18-2006)
UPDATE: Larry Carter has left Michael Waltrip Racing to join Roush Racing, MWR general manager Ty Norris said Wednesday. Carter had been a part of building of MWR from the beginning and was slated to serve as crew chief for rookie #00-David Reutimann in 2007. He told Norris of his decision to leave shortly after Matt Borland was named crew chief for #44-Dale Jarrett earlier this month. Norris refused to call Carter's departure a setback. "We only need people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for a period of time for the betterment of our company," he said Wednesday. "You're either in the mode to do it or you do not want to. There were a couple of people who were not willing to do it." Norris said Carter was given an out in his contract. Carter will be McMurray's fourth crew chief at Roush Racing in less than a year. McMurray began last season with crew chief Jimmy Fennig, then inherited Bob Osborne from Carl Edwards' team in April. Osborne returned to Edwards for the final two races and Wally Brown, who has since left Roush Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, finished out the year with McMurray.(ESPN.com)(12-21-2006)
Testing at Nashville: been told #55-Michael Waltrip, #00-David Reutimann and #31-Jeff Burton were testing on Wednesday, Dec 13th at Nashville Superspeedway AND also....Darrell Waltrip was helping brother Michael by testing a Toyota Camry.(12-14-2006)
Borland, Carter, Hyder named crew chiefs at Michael Waltrip Racing: Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that Matt Borland, Larry Carter and David Hyder have been named crew chiefs of the organization for the 2007 Nextel Cup Series season. Borland has been designated as crew chief of the #44 UPS Toyota with former champion Dale Jarrett. Carter will reside as crew chief of the #00 Toyota co-sponsored by Burger King and Domino's Pizza driver David Reutimann. Michael Waltrip has assigned Hyder as crew chief of his #55 NAPA Toyota. “We are pleased to announce our crew chiefs today,” Waltrip said. “We concentrated on pairing personalities to find the perfect qualified individuals for each position. Matt is a proven winner and we’re proud to have him steering the #44 UPS Toyota team. I’ve known David for a while and look forward to him leading the NAPA team. I love his enthusiasm and the
way he thinks. Obviously, Larry was vitally important in building our teams and I know he will be instrumental in building David Reutimann’s future while driving his Toyota co-sponsored by Burger King and Domino's Pizza. We are fortunate to have all three of them under one roof.”
Borland led #12-Ryan Newman to 12 wins, 37 poles, 54 top-fives, 83 top-10s in 186 Nextel Cup Series starts. The 35-year-old joined Penske Racing South in November 1999 originally as an engineer. In 2001, Borland was then instrumental in his driver’s success as he participated in a combination schedule in the ARCA, Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series. Borland looked on as Newman amassed eight poles, two wins, five top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes. In Borland’s first full-time season in the Nextel Cup Series as a crew chief, he claimed one win, six pole awards, 14 top-five and 22 top-10s. Borland, also received trophies from winning The Winston and his driver clinched the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title and finished sixth in the championship standings. After years of success with Penske Racing South, Borland makes the move to Michael Waltrip Racing. “I’m looking forward to making a new home at Michael Waltrip Racing and working with Dale Jarrett,” Borland said. “Dale is a champion and he has a ton of respect in the garage. He’s obviously proven himself as a driver. Also, Toyota will be great to work with. I think Toyota is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturers.”
There are a lot of smart, innovative individuals in the Nextel Cup Series and I am thrilled that Michael Waltrip Racing was able to secure one of the best in Matt Borland,” Jarrett said. “He's obviously had a lot of success in the few years he's been in this position. I think Christmas came a little early for Michael Waltrip Racing and myself. This announcement just adds to my excitement about 2007. I think he'll truly be a valuable asset to this #44 UPS Toyota team and will complement Michael Waltrip Racing as a whole.”
“Dale expressed his ideal crew chief was someone like Matt Borland,” Waltrip added. “We were actually able to deliver Matt Borland.
Matt’s spirit and determination will permeate throughout our shop.”
Carter aligned with Michael Waltrip Racing after a successful stint as Rusty Wallace’s crew chief at Penske Racing South. Joining Penske in 2004, Carter led Wallace to his 55th career victory in April of that year at Martinsville Speedway, snapping a 105-race winless streak for Wallace. It was only his 10th race with Wallace, whose last Nextel Cup Series win was in 2001 at California Speedway. Carter has been an integral part of Michael Waltrip Racing’s growth. “We’ve set some realistic goals and assembled a solid
team,” Carter said. “ David Reutimann is very talented and we’re going to have a lot of fun working with him. He’s been fast at all the tests and I think he’ll do well next year. Fortunately, we were able to run five races last season with Bill Elliott to help prepare us for 2007.”
“I’ve known of Larry for years, but I’ve just recently got to know him,” Reutimann said. “I’m real happy to have him in my corner. I needed a veteran crew chief to help me through everything I will experience as a rookie. We get along great and I know we will have success together.”
“David’s plate will be full this year and Larry’s extensive experience and knowledge of the sport will help David in his first year as a Nextel Cup Series competitor,” Waltrip added. He will be able to help David’s rookie season run smoothly.”
Hyder brings a different aspect to MichaelWaltrip Racing with having nearly 20 years of experience as a Late Model driver with close to 100 victories. In 1999, he stopped driving and building his own cars and joined Petty Enterprises as a mechanic. Almost three years later, he became a car chief for the Petty’s in the Nextel Cup Series. At the end of the 2004 season, he transitioned from being a car chief at Petty Enterprises to becoming a crew chief at BAM Racing with driver Ken Schrader. In 2006, Hyder was named crew chief of the #21 Nextel Cup Series entry at Wood Brothers. Midseason, the High Point-N.C. native returned to BAM Racing. Waltrip approached Hyder not long after. “Michael has the same mentality as other drivers I’ve worked with,” Hyder said. “Michael approached me at the end of the 2006 season and asked me what I was going to do the next season. He gauged my interest in being his crew chief. I got really excited about everything he has planned for his race team and I accepted.” “David was someone that I was interested in from the beginning because he speaks my language,” Waltrip said. “He’s someone that has built and raced cars his whole life. He has a respect and knowledge for engineering, which coupled with Borland’s engineering background, we hope to continue our creation of a strong team atmosphere.”(MWR PR)(12-8-2006)
Elliott to run Xbox/Burger King scheme at Homestead UPDATE: On Sunday, Nov. 19 at Homestead the #00-Burger King Dodge [entry list has the car listed as a Chevy] will hit the track with an all-new car design featuring the BK Xbox Games.(Bill Elliott site), see a small image at the #00 Team Schemes page(11-15-2006)
UPDATE: The #00 Burger King car will have a royal look at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. For the first time in the company’s history, the King will be part of a special paint scheme to kick-off the holiday season at Burger King restaurants. The promotion starts on race day, November 19 and features three exclusive Xbox/Xbox 360 video games; “Pocketbike Racer”, “Big Bumpin” and “Sneak King.”
“The special paint scheme for the Burger King Xbox promotion is fit for royalty,” commented team owner Michael Waltrip. “It is the first time that Burger King has put a graphic of the King on the race car and the team is proud to be running it at Homestead. Race
day is the first day that the Xbox games will be available at restaurants so we hope to have a good run in the #00 Burger King car.” The games will be available for a limited time only while supplies last at Burger King restaurants for a recommended price of $3.99 per game with the purchase of a Value Meal. Price and participation may vary.(MWR PR)(11-16-2006)
Busy Weekend for Hermie Sadler: Although not racing this weekend in Phoenix, Hermie Sadler will still be busy. Sadler will once again join the SPEED Crew as a pit reporter for Friday night's Truck Series in Phoenix. After the race, Sadler will catch a
flight to Boston, MA to appear at the New England Auto Show at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston along with TNA Wrestling Stars AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels prior to a TNA Wrestling event Saturday night in East Hartford, CT. For more information on the appearance, visit www.uwfusa.com.(11-10-2006)
MWR announcement Tuesday? UPDATE Reutimann named #00 Driver: hearing that David Reutimann will be announced on Tuesday as the driver of the #00 Burger King/Dominos Pizza Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota for the 2007 season.(10-9-2006)
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced today that current Truck Series driver [#17] David Reutimann completes the 2007 Nextel Cup Series lineup for the organization. Reutimann will become the full-time driver of the #00 Toyota Camry co-sponsored by Burger King Corporation and Domino’s Pizza in 2007. “David’s competitive spirit, proven on track performance and verve for racing made David our top choice for the #00 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Toyota,” said car owner Michael Waltrip. “Dale Jarrett and I both feel strongly that David is the ideal candidate to cap off our driver line up. Like my and Dale’s backgrounds, David appreciates coming from a deep-rooted and well respected racing heritage. It is my privilege to welcome him into the top NASCAR series. I know everyone at Domino’s and Burger King Corporation will be pleased with what David can do on and off the race track.”
To become a Nextel Cup Series competitor always has been a dream of the Zephyrhills-Fla., native, whose family has a deep-rooted racing history and ironically has a last name synonymous with the “00” number. “In my wildest dreams I couldn’t come up with a scenario that would have put me driving a ‘00’ car especially with great sponsors like Burger King Corporation and Domino’s in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series,” Reutimann said. “I always thought how cool it would be to drive a car with my family number in the top series in the world, but what are the chances that would happen. It’s right here in front of me. My grandfather, my father, my uncle and my cousins have all raced a car with the ‘00’ number. It’s our family number and if you’re a Reutimann that’s the number you race. I can’t describe it. It’s just such a great feeling. It’s surreal and a thrill not only for me, but for my entire family.”
Reutimann and Domino’s Pizza will kick off the 2007 season at Daytona International Speedway. Following the Daytona 500, Domino’s will continue as the primary sponsor of the #00 Toyota Camry through the May race at Darlington Raceway. A Domino’s paint scheme will also be carried on the #00 Michael Waltrip Racing entry in the August Nextel Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Domino’s will deliver its final five races during the Chase for the Nextel Cup Series championship. Domino’s welcomes Reutimann as he competes for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. "We're thrilled to welcome David into the Domino's family and to be a part of the team that is bringing him into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series," said David Brandon, CEO of Domino's Pizza. "His unbridled passion, strong work ethic, and dedication to delivering his best performance each and every week reflects the core values of Domino's franchisees and our team members. We're looking forward to our mutual success in 2007."
Reutimann and the #00 Burger King Toyota Camry will take to the track Memorial Day weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, and cap off the regular season under the lights at Richmond International Raceway. Five Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races, including the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, will feature the Burger King paint scheme. Burger King Corporation is looking forward to having the rookie don their colors in Victory Lane. In addition to running full-time in the Nextel Cup Series, Reutimann will also pilot the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine in the Busch Series and race the entire schedule.(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(10-10-2006)
Reutimann hopes he gets #00 ride UPDATE: David Reutimann doesn't have a Nextel Cup contract just yet, but he's thinking that he might be a little closer to getting the #00 Michael Waltrip Racing ride for next season. Reutimann is the leading candidate and has met with officials from sponsors Domino's Pizza and Burger King. "Michael talked to me [Thursday] some about it - he said they have a couple of final things to hammer out, but he's really encouraged by it," Reutimann said Friday night after Busch Series practice at Kansas Speedway. "He hasn't said it's a done deal, but it is the first time that he has said we're in a pretty good position."
"It looks like it will probably be a week to 10 days," said Michael Waltrip Racing General Manager Ty Norris. "There's some internal things going on with both corporations. It's a pretty lengthy process when you're dealing with so many franchisees. A lot of communication has to happen before we're ready to decide."(SceneDaily.com)(10-1-2006)
UPDATE: David Reutimann feels better about his chances to be named the driver of Michael Waltrip Racing's #00 Toyota Nextel Cup entry for 2007, but admits waiting is difficult. Reutimann, 36, a full-time truck series driver, said Waltrip and team general manager Ty Norris have been increasingly encouraging as they continue to pitch him to co-sponsors Burger King and Domino's Pizza.
"I think there are still some hurdles we have to overcome there, but I'm feeling like in the next couple weeks we'll be to the point where we at least make some kind of decision so everybody knows, including me, because it's tough not knowing," Reutimann said. "You want it to happen, but sometimes you want to know no matter (what) the outcome is so you can just move on." Reutimann is already signed to drive a Busch Series car for Waltrip in 2007.(St Petersburg Times)(10-2-2006)
Bill Elliott to attempt Kansas in #37: #37 R&J Racing announced that 1988 Cup Champ Bill Elliott will be in the #37 car (Dodge?) at Kansas Speedway next weekend. "We are extremely excited to announce that after a few weeks off to restructure our program, we have signed Bill to drive the #37 car. We feel that after joining forces with Ernie Elliott, we finally have achieved the success with our program that our team deserves." R&J Racing also has signed a deal with Vision Motorsports Marketing out of Atlanta to handle sponsorship and PR for them. "We feel that the #37 team has made huge strides towards developing their program and we believe with the right marketing partner they would be a force to challenge for the win each weekend." said Vision Motorsports
Marketing Vice President Adam Loser. R&J Racing and Vision Motorsports Marketing are working on their sponsorship program with opportunities still available for the Kansas race.(Vision Motorsports Marketing PR)(9-19-2006)
Still no word on MWR's #00 driver: David Reutimann met with Burger King executives Tuesday but says he has no idea if he will drive the #00 Burger King/Domino's Pizza Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing in the Nextel Cup Series in 2007. "The meeting seemed to go well," Reutimann said Friday morning at New Hampshire International Speedway. "It's really hard to tell. I kind of find myself leaving these meetings probably knowing less than I did when I went. There are some decisions to be made by the higher powers, and I am not in on that decision-making process." Reutimann, third in the Truck Series standings driving for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, already knows he will run full time in the Busch Series next year for Michael Waltrip. All he is waiting for is word whether he will run any Nextel Cup races as part of the first year of the Toyota Camry program.(SceneDaily.com)(9-16-2006)
Elliott back to roots; no word on 2007 plans yet: Bill Elliott is going back to his roots this weekend, racing his own car at the track where he learned to drive race cars. Elliott will run his Late Model car in the feature event at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, where he once was a regular competitor. "That place has a lot of history for me," Elliott said. "I've been going there since the early '70s." Elliott last raced at Dixie in 1991. As in his early years, Elliott will be racing on Saturday with an engine prepared by his brother, Ernie Elliott. His new car was taken for a shake-down run on Thursday by dirt racing veteran Ray Cook. "I think it'll be competitive," Elliott said. Elliott's 2007 NASCAR plans are uncertain. He's weighing several offers and expects to decide soon.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(9-15-2006)
Hermie Sadler Making Move to Broadcast Booth: Hermie [Sadler] is slowly making the transition from driver to broadcaster. He's done a handful of Busch and Truck series races this season on FX and the Speed Channel. Next year, he'll be full-time with the Speed Channel. He won't drive any more Busch races this season and plans to try to qualify for four more Nextel Cup races. Sadler doesn't want to rule out driving beyond this year. He's also realistic. Since winning the Busch rookie award, his driving career hasn't panned out. "My heart and my love is in driving and racing," Sadler said. "I've done it for a long time, trying to stay involved and keep my name out there and make something good happen. We've had our moments. I haven't decided if I'm going to do a limited Cup schedule next year. I have to think long and hard about how feasible it is going to be to do it as an independent. I've had a good time, we've had a good run . . . I just don't have the patience and the drive to keep doing it under these conditions. I love to race, but I don't love riding around finishing 35th each week," Sadler said. "I have enough going on to keep me busy".(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(9-9-2006)
Reutimann to Meet with Burger King; Announcement Next Week?David Reutimann will meet in Miami with officials from Burger King on Tuesday in what he hopes is the final step for moving into the Nextel Cup Series for Michael Waltrip Racing next season. Reutimann already has met with officials from Domino's Pizza, which will split sponsorship on Waltrip's new Toyota team in 2007. An announcement could come by the end of next week. Reutimann said the tentative plan is for him to drive a full Busch and Cup Series schedule.(NASCAR.com)(9-9-2006)
Hermie Sadler teams with Hometown sponsors at RIR: Virginia native Hermie Sadler will be carrying colors of a Virginia based company as #00 MBA Motorsports teams up with Richmond Electric Supply, Co., based in Richmond, for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 this weekend at RIR. Sadler and Richmond Electric President Darryl Harman, Sr. met a couple weeks ago at a Charity golf outing in Richmond, and by the end of the day, had made a deal for the race at Richmond. "We hit it off right away", said Sadler of his relationship with Harman. "He is a big race fan, and represents what I like in a person and company. RESCO is a family owned local business much like our race team. It will be fun for us to team up at RIR and try and beat the odds." MBA Motorsports will also carry associate sponsorship from The Haven Inn, a NASCAR themed restaurant located in Norfolk, Virginia. Dave Willis, who owns The Haven Inn with his wife Lynne, was a crew member for a Dodge Weekly Racing Series team for over 10 years. Also this weekend at RIR, Sadler, the 1993 Busch Series Rookie of the Year, will attempt to make his first Busch Series start of the season in the #28 Chevy owned by Jay Robinson. For more information go to www.sadlerfanclub.com.(PR)(9-5-2006)
Reutimann/Kvapil finalists for #00 MWR team: David Reutimann and Travis Kvapil are the finalists to drive Michael Waltrip Racing's #00 Toyota in 2007, but a decision may be several weeks away. Waltrip wouldn't name the second finalist, but a source familiar with the process said that Kvapil, who currently drives for PPI Motorsports, is the other driver under consideration by sponsors Burger King and Domino's Pizza. Waltrip hoped the choice would be made by now, but things haven't gone as quickly as planned when it comes to coordinating meetings with the team's co-sponsors. "It's more of a deal now where we just need to all reconvene," Waltrip said Friday. "We presented all the options to 'em and I told Ty [Norris, the team's vice president and general manager] we would be proud to have either one of [our choices] and we'll see what happens." Kvapil wouldn't name the two teams he's talking with besides PPI Motorsports, which is still working to nail down its sponsorship for next season [supposedly Tide will not return]. "I told Cal [Wells, PPI's owner] six weeks ago that we were going to try to figure out which way we were going at the end of August," Kvapil said. "I think a couple of other teams I've been talking to are going to make decisions here shortly, too. It's kind of a wait and see as to how it all shakes out. I like some of the things Cal's trying to do for the future of his team. I think he realizes the days of a single-car team are probably limited, so he's trying to either expand himself or form an alliance or do something to help his team in the future produce on the track." Reutimann met with executives from Domino's Pizza on Aug. 29, but a meeting with Burger King executives in Florida didn't materialize as a tropical storm was bearing down on the state. Reutimann returned to North Carolina unsure of where things stand, though he felt the meeting went well.(SceneDaily.com)(9-2-2006)
Elliott's plans for 2007? still unknown: Bill Elliott will attempt to make his fourth start for #00 Michael Waltrip Racing this weekend in the Sony HD 500 Nextel Cup race at California Speedway but says he still isn't sure what he will do next season. The semi-retired Elliott still has one more race for MWR and then three for Team Red Bull this year. He said he was undecided on his 2007 plans. "I honestly don't know. I'm trying to sort through some stuff right now and try to figure out where I'm going to land," Elliott said.(SceneDaily.com)(8-31-2006)
Waltrip hopes to name 3rd driver soon; UPDATE 2 Reutimann: Michael Waltrip said Friday he is close to signing a driver to fill his third car [#00 Toyota], which will be sponsored by Domino's Pizza and Burger King. Waltrip and Dale Jarrett [#33? #44?] already are signed to drive Toyotas for Michael Waltrip Racing next year, and Waltrip needs to fill that remaining seat. "I'd really like to get a kid or somebody that is young and try to work with them and see if they're the deal or not," Waltrip said. "You can't ever tell who is. We have a plan to get the guy that we want still, and hopefully in the next week we can do it." Waltrip already has a "youngster" in the not-so-young 36-year-old David Reutimann who will run the rest of the Busch Series events this year and will drive the entire Busch season next year. "Certainly he's somebody that we've considered running both," Waltrip said. "He's always hauled the mail in everything he's gotten in, so he is a possibility. If you will, we have to appreciate and think about every option that is available because it is getting late and the sponsors are getting nervous and they want us to show them who their guy is going to be." Waltrip said he checked with Mark Martin to see if he had any interest in the ride and Martin left the door open. But Waltrip said he would like someone to run a full schedule and only would run a combination of drivers if no other drivers he wants are available. "I saw Terry Labonte said that he would race if it paid enough," Waltrip said.(SceneDaily.com)(8-19-2006)
UPDATE: XM Radio NASCAR Channel's Claire B. Lang reports that David Reutimann is the front runner for Michael Waltrip Racing #00 Toyota for 2007 pending approval of the sponsors Burger King/Domino's Pizza in a meeting next Tuesday [Aug 29th].(8-25-2006)
UPDATE 2: While David Reutimann is Michael Waltrip's top choice to drive his #00 Toyota in the Nextel Cup Series in 2007, Reutimann knows that doesn't necessarily equate to a done deal. Waltrip said the decision will be made in conjunction with sponsors Burger King and Domino's Pizza. And that's why Reutimann thinks he's "kind of a longshot." Waltrip said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway that while he's talking to several other drivers, one of whom is Travis Kvapil, Reutimann is whom he prefers at this point. Waltrip hopes to finalize things on Aug. 29, when meetings are set with both sponsors. Reutimann knows those meetings will likely determine whether he runs both the full Cup and Busch Series schedules next year, or just the full Busch schedule. "I think companies want somebody that maybe they've heard a lot about. And I can't fault them at all for that," Reutimann said. "At the same time, a year or so ago, nobody really knew about Carl Edwards or Denny Hamlin, either." Reutimann, already slated to drive a Busch Series car for Michael Waltrip Racing next year, has the backing of both Waltrip and would-be teammate Dale Jarrett according to Waltrip. Waltrip said he loves Reutimann's heart and desire and would like for him to be in the car. "But also, I'm in a position where there's a couple of other guys that I think have the desire and the potential and the heart, too," Waltrip said. "We're to a point where we're liking the drivers choosing from and we would like to run 'em past our sponsors on one last, personal meeting and then we'll [make an announcement]."
Reutimann certainly hopes he's the man standing by Waltrip's side when the driver of the #00 is announced. He's looking forward to meeting with the sponsors.(SceneDaily.com)(8-26-2006)
Wimmer/Kvapil not signed for 2007 UPDATE 2 Wimmer to MWR? NO?: #32-Travis Kvapil and #4-Scott Wimmer - two experienced drivers who have had to qualify on speed all season and have done just that most of time - have talked to other Nextel Cup teams then the ones they currently drive for, but whether they will end up eelsewhere in 2007 remains to be seen. Kvapil said he has agreed with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells that he would try to have a decision by the end of August. There are three main rides open - Michael Waltrip Racing [#00], Team Red Bull [unknown #] and Robert Yates Racing [#88]. "It's not really that hard to figure out [who I'm talking to]," Kvapil said. "There are only a couple of seats left to shake out. I've had conversations but that really doesn't mean anything [is certain]. I just want to make sure whatever I do is best for me and my future. Last year and this year, I haven't really had the performance, I'm afraid. Another year or two of that, my days might be limited in this garage. Basically where it's at, I told him I wanted a month to see how everything shakes out," Kvapil said. "I had been contacted by a few other teams and there were conversations. I didn't feel I was comfortable to make a commitment and then a couple of weeks down the road regret that decision."
Wimmer, who made his Nextel Cup debut in 2000, has qualified for 18 of the 21 races this year. He said the Morgan-McClure Motorsports team does not have a sponsor for next season. Wimmer said he could end up in the Busch Series next year. Sponsorship could determine the drivers.(SceneDaily.com)
UPDATE: on Speed Channel's SPEED Report, Bob Dillner reported that Scott Wimmer could be announced this week as the driver of Michael Waltrip Racing's #00 Burger King/Domino's Pizza Toyota in 2007.(8-20-2003)
UPDATE 2: been told that Wimmer will NOT be the driver for the #00 MWR team, no word yet who that could be.(8-21-2006)
Speed Report colors on Hermie Sadler's #00 at Bristol: When Hermie Sadler's #00 MBA Motorsports Chevy rolls into
Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend for the Sharpie 500, it will be carrying the colors for a new show on Speed Channel, The SPEED Report. The new show, which airs Sunday nights on Speed Channel at 8:00pm/et, is hosted by Drew Johnson and Nicole Manske. Sadler is looking forward to taking The SPEED Report entry to the track. "I have had the opportunity to be a part of some neat promotions and paint schemes, and this car is at the top of the list. The design of this car says a lot about the new attitude of SPEED and how they cover racing of all types. I look forward to a fun weekend."(Speed Channel PR)(8-17-2006)
Waltrip says Mayfield is out of MWR picture: While it's not yet official that Jeremy Mayfield will drive for Bill Davis Racing next year, Michael Waltrip said the driver won't be part of his three-car program in 2007. Released by Evernham Motorsports last week, neither Mayfield nor his business agent have returned calls from NASCAR Scene. But sources at Indianapolis indicated that Mayfield had struck a deal to team with Dave Blaney at BDR. Last month at New Hampshire, Waltrip had said that Mayfield would be his top candidate to join a program [for the #00 Toyota] that will also include Dale Jarrett. But Sunday morning at Watkins Glen, Waltrip said Mayfield's out of the equation. "He and I have pretty much figured out that it wasn't going to work out," Waltrip said. "I don't know where he's going to wind up. But he's looking at other deals, I think." The search, meanwhile, continues for Waltrip. "We've talked to a few guys and are working with the sponsors to try to get the guy that they want and couple that with the guy we want," Waltrip said. "That process has taken a little bit longer than we hoped it would. But nothing has happened to this point to where we don't think we can get a cat that we can be successful with."(SceneDaily.com)(8-13-2006)
Elliott still has not decided: Bill Elliott says he is within a couple of weeks of deciding what he'll do next season. The semi-retired former series champion, who won this race in 2002 and is at the Brickyard this year driving Michael Waltrip's #00 Chevrolet, has been courted by several teams, including some that plan to field Toyotas next year. "I'm still waiting on a few things to come together," said Elliott. "The folks that I've talked to still haven't decided what we're going to end up doing. I'm going to try to put things together a little bit more in the next couple of weeks."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-5-2006)
Waltrip still looking for a driver: Michael Waltrip speculated that while some driver changes for 2007 are done but not announced, he has not solidified who would drive his #00 Burger King/Domino's Toyota next season. Waltrip said Friday that #19-Jeremy Mayfield is still among those high on his list to join himself and Dale Jarrett in the Michael Waltrip Racing stable next season. "I had hoped that we could have something done already, but hopefully when we go to Indy [in two weeks], we'll have something that we can announce one way or another on the driver of the 00 car," Waltrip said. Speculation has Mayfield leaving Evernham Motorsports for MWR, while Elliot Sadler - who has announced he is leaving Robert Yates Racing but not announced his 2007 destination - could replace Mayfield at Evernham. Waltrip had to catch himself to make sure he was saying the right things about Mayfield. "He's somebody that we're definitely interested in and now that he's available," Waltrip said before smiling and saying, "Let me say that again: If he becomes available, then we definitely want to be the ones to have a chance to talk to him." Waltrip said he believes Sadler already knows where he's going although Sadler said he has nothing inked for next year. "I think a lot of the deals probably are already done and people say stuff like that [they're looking] to lead y'all down [another] path," Waltrip said. "For sure, mine is not done. Hopefully soon."(SceneDaily.com)(7-23-2006)
Elliott fulltime with Red Bull in 2007? According to sources in the garage, Bill Elliott, also known as 'Awesome Bill from Dawesonville', will return full-time to NASCAR Cup competition as Brian Vickers' teammate at Team Red Bull in 2007.(source Ford Racing)(7-15-2006)
Hermie hopes to get TNA to sponsor him in some 2007 races: Hermie Sadler he hopes Total Nonstop Action (TNA) can serve as his primary sponsor for between 6-8 Cup races in 2007. “I definitely think that’s an area they’re interested in,” Sadler said, “and I’m certainly interested in partnering up with them any chance I can get since I’m already in business with them anyway, so it’s just a natural fit.” Sadler currently runs the United Wrestling Federation (UWF), and through that he is licensed to run TNA “house” (non-televised) shows. TNA enjoyed the benefit of forging a relationship with Sadler this past April, as the promotion received extensive media attention after Sadler teamed with FOX announcer Jeff Hammond and Team 3D to face TNA Champion Jeff Jarrett, “Showtime” Eric Young and America’s Most Wanted in an eight-man lumberjack match. TNA confirmed Sadler’s assertion that no official agreements have been forged between the two for ’07, although it was clearly noted that the relationship is strong. So far in 2006, Sadler has run six Cup races with the MBA Motorsports team he co-owns in the #00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Ford/Chervy. That sponsorship came via Michael Waltrip Racing, which will field Toyotas in 2007. Although a Japanese automaker is coming into NASCAR and Japan is arguably the world’s biggest hotbed for professional wrestling, Sadler said there have been no conversations with Toyota about him or TNA. Sadler said preferably the 6-8 races would come around the time of pay-per-view events to give TNA the most bang for its buck.(Long Island Press)
Also: Hermie sadler has agreed to join the Speed Channel broadcast team for Truck Series races at Memphis this weekend, as well as Nashville and Las Vegas. Sadler joined the speed team at Kentucky last weekend after working two Busch series races earlier this year on FX.(7-11-2006)
Elliott still pondering return to full-time: Bill Elliott, who last ran a full NASCAR Cup schedule in 2003, is still considering a return to full-time action in 2007. Elliott, who is running a limited schedule this year, said he'd prefer to run a 12-to-15 race schedule, depending on sponsorship, but he's keeping all his options open. "Whether I will do a full-time deal next year or not, I don't know at this time," Elliott said earlier this week. "I'm still playing my options as far as what is available. I won't say, 'Yes' and I won't say, 'No.'" Almost three years later, he says he still has a passion for racing. "I still enjoy the race and racing has been a part of my whole life," Elliott said. "It's hard to get it out of your system. If the opportunity doesn't come along then I'll be satisfied with running a limited schedule or whatever. We'll have to see what cards are laid out in the next couple of months and make a decision from that."(SceneDaily.com)(7-10-2006)
Elliott could be back full-time in 2007..if the money is right: Bill Elliott, long one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, said Friday that he is “weighing his options” for 2006, which include a possible full-time return to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Elliott, who has spent the last three seasons running only part time, has been courted by at least one of the new Toyota teams for 2007. Asked if he would consider a full-time return to the Cup series, Elliott said, “If the money’s right I would.”(Speed Channel)(6-24-2006)
Elliott tests for MWR at Milwaukee and Kentucky: This week, Bill Elliott is testing the #00 Burger King NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series entry at the Milwaukee Mile and Kentucky Speedway in preparation for the five races he will compete in this season for Michael Waltrip Racing. "Today, we were just shaking down the Burger King car at the Milwaukee Mile so that we can be well prepared for the race at Loudon (New Hampshire International Speedway) in a few weeks," Elliott stated. "We'll be at Kentucky Speedway tomorrow to work on the car for our first race of the season at Chicagoland Speedway. We"ll test at the track for two days. I think Chicagoland will be one of the most challenging tracks for us." Crew Chief Larry Carter added. "We're close to being ready for our first race at Chicagoland Speedway. Our test today went well. We are plugging away at making the car rotate better because it was tight today. Overall, the car is really sound and we are pleased with our progress." The first race for Bill Elliott and the #00 Burger King Michael Waltrip Racing team will take place on July 9th at Chicagoland Speedway.(MWR PR)(6-19-2006)
Waltrip to make 2007 sponsor announcement this weekend..Domino's? BK? UPDATE 2: On Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup, Michael Waltrip said he would be making a sponsor announcement for the 2007 season for his Toyota team this weekend [at MIS]. Ken Schrader asked why not now [on the show], Waltrip said the paperwork isn't signed yet in which Schrader asked if there was a chance it wouldn't get signed; Waltrip responded: "Domino's Delivers" and then "Have it Your Way" the motto for Burger King,(6-13-2006)
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip will make an announcement about the future of Michael Waltrip Racing on Sunday morning, June 18th at MIS.(6-17-2006)
UPDATE 2 - The Announcement: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced Sunday it has formed a unique partnership with two marquee brands – Domino's Pizza and Burger King Corporation to be co-primary sponsors of its second 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team. "When we first approached Burger King and Domino's Pizza, we knew we were thinking outside of the box and didn't know if two food brands would be willing to work together to sponsor the same team," said Michael Waltrip. "We took the risk and are very excited to have two of the world's most recognized brands sponsoring the #00 NASCAR Nextel Cup team."
"It's not unusual for two or more sponsors to split a sponsorship season," said Ty Norris, General Manager for Michael Waltrip Racing. "However, this is the first time that two companies within the same industry agreed to be sponsors of the same car during the same season. This is another example of the unprecedented approach Michael Waltrip Racing is taking to becoming a multi-car NASCAR Nextel Cup team organization."
Domino's will kick off the [2007] season at the Daytona 500 and continue as the primary sponsor through the May race in Darlington, SC. A Domino's paint scheme will also adorn the #00 Toyota Camry at the August Nextel Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Domino's will deliver its final five races during the Chase for the Nextel Cup Series championship. The #00-Burger King Toyota Camry will hit the track Memorial Day weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, and cap off the regular season under the lights at Richmond International Raceway. Five Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup races, including the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, will feature the Burger King paint scheme. The split-season sponsorship allows Domino's and Burger King to continue their respective relationships with Michael Waltrip Racing, while positioning both companies at the forefront of the changing motorsports industry. The team along with input from both sponsors is in negotiations to secure a driver and will make a separate announcement once a driver has been determined. "I hope we find a driver who likes to eat," said Waltrip. "I've had an opportunity to work with both Domino's Pizza and Burger King in the past and believe we're delivering a race team the fans will love."
Domino's, the Official Pizza of NASCAR, partnered with MWR three times in 2005 as the primary sponsor on Waltrip's #99 Busch Series car and will be the primary sponsor of Waltrip's #55 Nextel Cup Series car at the Michigan International Speedway race in August [2006]. Burger King recently announced plans to join MWR for a partial season in 2006, sponsoring the #00 Nextel Cup car for five races beginning in July at Chicagoland Speedway [with Bill Elliott driving](Michael Waltrip Racing PR)
AND But the driver? It could be Dale Jarrett. Or it could be someone else. The announcement of Burger King and Domino's could open the door for UPS to back a third Michael Waltrip Racing team with Jarrett as driver. "We want three teams," Waltrip said. "That's our goal. Until we define the third sponsor, we're not able to say who's going to drive the third car." Last month, Waltrip announced Jarrett would join his team. UPS is said to be shopping its sponsorship and could follow Jarrett, stay with Robert Yates Racing or go to another team [#9? #16?]. Ty Norris, vice president and general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, said the team has set a deadline of mid-July on whether it will have three teams.(SceneDaily.com)(6-18-2006)
Elliott to drive for Red Bull UPDATE: Red Bull Racing is planning to announce that former Nextel Cup champion [1988] Bill Elliott will drive for the team for three races this season as the team prepares a full-time entry into Cup racing with Toyota in 2007, a source close to the situation has confirmed. The car Elliott will drive will not be a Toyota, but the make of car has not been determined. He will attempt to qualify for the races at Charlotte and Atlanta in October and Texas in November. He also is running select races this year for MB2 Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing. The Red Bull team will use the races to help get its crew ready for the Daytona 500 in 2007. Drivers and crew chiefs for 2007 have not been announced.(SceneDaily.com), Elliott is also scheduled to run five races for Michael Waltrip Racing in the #00 Burger King Chevy at Chicago, New Hampshire [July], Indy, California Homestead.(6-5-2006)
UPDATE: Originally scheduled to debut in 2007, Team Red Bull today announces a short schedule of three NASCAR Nextel Cup races it plans to enter in the fall of 2006 with veteran driver Bill Elliott, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, behind the wheel. “The organization and its competitive spirit are what attracted me to Team Red Bull,” says Elliott, who won the NASCAR Winston Cup driver’s title in 1988. “My job is simple . put the car in the show, drive it toward the front, and provide valuable input so that Team Red Bull is fully prepared by the Daytona 500. It’s really a great role at this stage of my racing career.” Leading the preparation of the non-Toyota equipped car are two recent race staff additions, Competition Director Elton Sawyer, a stock car racing veteran, and Technical Director John Probst, one of the racing industry’s top vehicle dynamics engineers. Sawyer and Probst join Gaunt and another appointee, Guenther Steiner, who came over to Team Red Bull from the Red Bull Racing F1 operation in a technical advisor role, as the team’s racing leadership operating out of the race shop in Mooresville, NC. The 60,000 sq. ft. facility recently underwent a Red Bull make-over since the energy drink company acquired the property from Penske Racing South prior to the team’s January 24 announcement by Toyota. Gaunt says the driver agreement with Elliott spans over three Nextel Cup races this fall – Charlotte, NC (Oct. 14), Atlanta, GA (Oct. 29), and Ft. Worth, TX (Nov. 5). Starting with the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season, Team Red Bull will field two, full-time Toyota Camry entries. Rumors notwithstanding, more “official” information on the new team—including 2007 drivers and crew chiefs—will be made available later this year.(Red Bull Racing PR/Newsletter)(6-5-2006)
What is up with Bill Elliott? Bill Elliott, now running a partial Cup schedule [#00 Burger King Chevy], said Thursday that he's weighing several offers for next season. He has been mentioned as a possible part-time replacement for Dale Jarrett in Robert Yates' #88 Ford, with younger drivers running the balance of the schedule. Elliott also is among the candidates to drive a Toyota Camry in Cup next year. "There are several good options out there," Elliott said. "Within a month I should have an idea what I'm going to do." He said he'd like to work out a deal that would serve as a steppingstone for his son Chase, 10, should he desire to pursue a career in NASCAR. "That's one of the things I'll look at," he said, adding that the reason he chooses to run a maximum of 12-15 races a year is so he can spend more time with his family. For so many years it's been about what I was doing," he said. "I want life to be more about what we are doing."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(5-19-2006)
Burger King images added to the #00 Team Schemes page.
UPS Undecided on future, either RYR or MWR; Bill Elliott to Yates?: With sponsor UPS suddenly NASCAR's top free agent, at least two teams' immediate futures appear to hang in the balance. Robert Yates Racing, which loses Jarrett's services at season's end, can't pick a replacement until it learns if UPS will remain. And if UPS opts to follow Jarrett to Michael Waltrip Racing, that operation would field three Toyotas instead of two next season. The one certainty is that Jarrett's move, formally announced May 13, leaves owner Robert Yates facing a scenario he thought was two years off. Expecting Jarrett to finish his career with the team in 2008, RYR began grooming Stephen Leicht and Matt McCall as possible replacements this season.
While the sponsor, be it UPS, Busch Series sponsor CitiFinancial or another entity, will play a role in selecting Jarrett's replacement, Yates says a veteran could figure in the mix. The question is whether the veteran would drive the full year or split time with one or two younger drivers as Yates works toward a permanent replacement. Team Manager Eddie D'Hondt said Bill Elliott could be the veteran if that plan is followed. Waltrip said he has sponsorship secured for two cars and has talked with UPS. If the company comes aboard, he'd gladly field three teams next year. In a statement, Laura Kouns, motorsports marketing manager for UPS, said the company "is excited about its continuing role in NASCAR," but that its policy is not to comment about "our future plans or sponsorships."(SceneDaily,com)(5-17-2006)
Herme Sadler to have Ace & TJ Show Scheme at LMS: MBA Motorsports and #00-Hermie Sadler Team with The Ace & TJ Show and Kiss 95.1 for The Nextel All Star Challenge and Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. The Ace & TJ Show, the #1 rated morning show in Charlotte has teamed with MBA Motorsports and Hermie Sadler for the NASCAR Nextel Open and Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. Sadler's Ford Fusion will carry the colors of the Ace & TJ Show as well as Kiss 95.1 for this promotion and the show will be giving away tickets and unprecedented access for lucky listeners over the next two weeks. Ace and TJ will also be involved in the promoting of the TNA Wrestling event that will be held Friday May 26 at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, NC.
The Ace & TJ Show is now heard in Charlotte NC, Birmingham AL, Chattanooga TN, Myrtle Beach SC, State College PA, Union City TN and Paris TN. They have been with their flagship station, WNKS in Charlotte, for just over 8 years. WNKS is a CBS Radio station.
For more information on how to listen and win tickets to the Coca Cola 600 and TNA Wrestling, visit www.AceTJ.com or www.Kiss951.com. For information on TNA Wrestling events in Mooresville and Greensboro, visit www.uwfusa.com.(PR)(5-12-2006)
Elliott tests Toyota engine at Lowe's: Bill Elliott tested one of Waltrip's #00 Chevy Cup cars with a Toyota engine earlier this week at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and there are plans for more tests as the foreign manufacturer seeks approval from NASCAR.(NASCAR.com)(5-6-2006)
TNA Wrestling to sponsor Hermie Sadler at Martinsville: TNA Wrestling, the new face in professional wrestling, will partner with Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership for Less in sponsoring #00 MBA Motorsports and driver Hermie Sadler in the Virginia 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race on April 2nd at Martinsville Speedway. The car will feature a special paint scheme that will promote the kick off of Autism Awareness month. Sadler has a daughter with Autism. TNA joins Aarons on the "Dream Machine" for Martinsville as they move their weekly show , "IMPACT" to Thursday nights on Spike TV beginning April 13. Spike is calling its new Thursday night lineup "Full Contact Thursday." In addition to IMPACT, TNA also does monthly live Pay-Per-View events. The TNA roster includes stars such as Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Christian Cage, Team 3-D and many others. For more information on TNA Wrestling, visit www.tnawrestling.com. Sadler has been driving the Aarons Dream Maching this season in partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing, and looks forward to this partnership at Martinsville. "I appreciate Aarons and TNA Wrestling coming together to make Martinsville a special weekend for everyone. Autism Awareness is very important to us, and we look forward to sending that message at Martinsville." Aarons is also partnering with TNA Wrestling off the track at Martinsville, as they are sponsoring a live TNA event Saturday night, April 1, at the Old Lowes building just across from the speedway. The event will feature the stars of TNA Wrestling, as well as NASCAR personalities Elliott Sadler, Hermie Sadler, Kyle Petty, Scott Riggs, Michael Waltrip, and others. TNA is offering a $5.00 discount at the door for anyone that has a Martinsville Speedway ticket stub from Pole day or the truck series race, or a NASCAR license. For more information on the event and tickets, visit www.uwfusa.com.(3-21-2006)
Michael Waltrip Racing News UPDATE 4 Burger King and Bill Elliott: Toyota is using the same entry philosophy [they used in the Truck Series] as they enter NASCAR’s top series - new teams. Michael Waltrip Racing is working hand in hand with Toyota developing the 2007 Camry. With the quality people we have on board, we will be a key technical partner in all areas of the building process. We are even developing our own 2006 Dodge cars. The reason for this is three fold. First, to run a five-race 2006 schedule, which will be announced Friday afternoon [March 10th] of the Las Vegas race weekend next month. At that time, we will also announce a driver and sponsor combination. Secondly, to assist Toyota in understanding where the cars that are on track today are aerodynamically. And lastly, to help MWR’s employees to stay current with the competition. This group will be much better prepared to race in 2007 because of this plan. Waltrip Racing World is gaining more and more momentum. On February 6, 2006, we finalized zoning approval for the entire 11-acre campus. We plan to begin demolition and renovations by March 1, 2006. Everyone we talk to about our fan friendly, interactive entertainment based concept believes it will be a hit. Race tracks, baseball stadiums –heck, all sports venues have become interactive. Now, the first race shop will be. Our real estate partner, Noah Lazes, has been busy visiting other race shops, Daytona USA, Basketball arenas, etc., making sure our project is the latest and greatest in the world of sports-themed destinations. Bobby Kennedy, MWR’s V.P. of Competition [but still working with DW's Truck Series team], along with Larry Carter, MWR and former Penske Racing [#2] crew chief, have been equally as busy making sure every detail is in order for the team to produce the fastest race cars possible out of our facility. We are blessed that Larry recently helped in the design of Roger Penske’s new Penske Racing shop. His experience and knowledge of the project ensures me our team will need nothing when we move in.(NAPA Site)(2-28-2006)
UPDATE: been asked what happened to this announcement? no idea....have not seen nor heard a thing, the link has been removed from the articles list, but the old article is still there.(3-14-2006)
UPDATE 2: been told the announcement could be within the next week or two.(3-15-2006)
UPDATE 3: look for the announcement to come Friday, March 17th at Atlanta Motor Speedway, hearing Burger King could be a sponsor in some part.(3-16-2006)
UPDATE 4 - Burger King and Bill Elliott: Beginning this year, Burger King said it will become a primary sponsor of Michael Waltrip Racing's (MWR) #00 Chevy [not Dodge or Ford] driven by Bill Elliott. Elements of the promotion are to include a specially designed #00 paint scheme, in-store activities and driver appearances. The five Nextel Cup races the company is to sponsor this year are at Chicagoland, July 9; New Hampshire, July 16; Indianapolis, Aug. 6; California, Sept. 3; and Homestead, Nov. 16. Waltrip was among the first owners to announce plans to work with Toyota starting in 2007, during its first foray into NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing.(South Flordia Business Journal)
MORE: Michael Waltrip Racing announced Friday that it will team with Burger King and NASCAR champion Bill Elliott for a
five-race schedule this season. Elliott will pilot the #00 Burger King Chevrolet at Chicago, New Hampshire, Indianapolis, California and
Homestead. Waltrip said the team plans to expand to a full-time Nextel Cup venture next season, running Toyotas. Waltrip said sponsorship and driver plans for next year were still up in the air. But for now, he's thrilled to have a veteran like Elliott behind the wheel.
Burger King also announced donations to both the Speedway Children's Charities and the National Motorsports Press Association.
Waltrip quotes of the day: (On fielding Chevrolets for his team despite driving Dodges himself) "I'm like Switzerland, I can drive anything. Chevrolet is the car to beat. They've won two of the first three races. When we were planning this project, in order to lure Mr. Elliott, we wanted to get the best car he could drive. Right now that appears to be Chevrolet. I'll stay in a Dodge, I suppose, but I am going to be in a Toyota truck later this year, and I've got a call in to Ford."(AMS Pit Notes)(3-17-2006)
Hermie Sadler to run 20-22 races: Hermie Sadler says he is partnering with Mike and Bonnie Anderson, friends of his from Virginia, to form MBA Racing, with plans to run 20-22 NASCAR Nextel Cup races this season in a #00 Ford. Sadler will have sponsorship from Aaron's rentals for eight races in a partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing. As a new team, the group does not have one of the 35 guaranteed starting positions for the opening five races. Sadler, who is testing at Daytona International Speedway this week, also plans to test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway later this month. Sadler has 52 Nextel Cup starts in his career, mostly in cars he owned. "The bug is hard to get rid of," Sadler said. "The situation with Michael came along and the situation with Aaron's, and things kind of fell into place. Hopefully there won't be as much pressure this time, because we do have a little help. We're going to put all of the effort we can into these first five races and see where it takes us." Kevin Caldwell is crew chief for the team, which will run Roush-Yates engines and has purchased cars from Robert Yates Racing and ppc Racing.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-18-2006)
Hermie Sadler's UWF Launches 2006 Tour; Cup ride in 2006 UPDATE #00: The United Wrestling Federation, owned by NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler in partnership with TNA Wrestling, will launch its 2006 "Buckle Up" Tour next weekend in Sadler's hometown of Emporia, Virginia. Of the tours 32 events scheduled by the UWF, several of them coincide with NASCAR weekends, giving fans the opportunity to see big-time professional wrestling while in town for race weekends, including an April 1 show in Martinsville, Virginia and a May 25 show at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, NC. The UWF will give discounts to NASCAR members and fans who have purchased tickets to races. Talent contracted by TNA include NWA Champion Jeff Jarrett, Team 3-D, AJ Styles, D-Lo Brown, and many others. For more information on events and tickets, visit www.uwfusa.com.
AND hearing Hermie Sadler will drive a limited Nextel Cup schedule in the #00 Aaron's Rent car in 2006.(1-6-2006)
UPDATE: Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership and Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc. (MWR) are pleased to announce the extension of their motorsports partnership through 2008. Aaron’s will be identified as the primary sponsor on the #99 NASCAR Busch Series Aaron’s Dream Machine racecar for twenty-two Busch races each year of the agreement with Michael Waltrip as the driver. The 2006 schedule expands to include eight NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races with the #00 Aaron’s Dream Machine and Hermie Sadler as the driver. Waltrip also continues a driver development program that will compete in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series with Ken Butler III competing in the Southern Division and Brett Butler driving in the Northern Division.(Shopaarons.com)(1-11-2006)
2005 News
Waltrip to Fitzbradshaw? hearing that Michael Waltrip's Busch team will be associated with Fitz-Bradshaw Racing with the #40 team in 2006, not sure if he and his drivers would still run #99 and if Aaron's / State Fair Corn Dogs would still be sponsors. Supposedly Ted Kennedy would be the crew chief. Micheal Waltrip Racing crew chief Butch Hylton will be the crew chief for the #12 FitzBradshaw team, no word on the fate of the #00 Nextel Cup team.(12-1-2005)
NTN Makes Cup Debut with Reutimann: NTN Bearing Corporation of America announced today that their company logo will be present on the #00 State Fair Corn Dogs Michael Waltrip Racing entry as David Reutimann makes his first NASCAR Nextel Cup Series career start at Lowe's Motor Speedway Saturday night. Reutimann qualified 26th for the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. NTN is Reutimann's Truck Series primary sponsor on the #17 Darrell Waltrip Motorsports Toyota.(DW Motorsports PR)(10-15-2005)
Reutimann may run Cup race at Charlotte: Darrell Waltrip's Truck Series driver, #17-David Reutimann will test a Michael Waltrip-owned Nextel Cup car at Atlanta today, and if all goes well, Reutimann will try to qualify it for the UAW-GM 500 Oct. 15 at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte. Reutimann, ninth in the truck standings, hasn't raced in Nextel Cup. He failed to qualify for the 2003 Brickyard 400 in a Morgan-McClure Motorsports car. Waltrip's #00 car came from Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s short-track stable. It didn't test well at Charlotte recently [with Reutimann testing], but Waltrip's team has made some major changes to it. "I tested Michael's Busch car for him a couple of times this year," Reutimann said. "I told him a while back, if he ever had an opportunity, I would love to drive for him. He asked me to test some of his stuff, and this is just another opportunity."(Tampa Tribune)(10-5-2005)
Driver changes at Talladega: #00 - Bobby Hamilton Jr. replaced Mike Skinner; #34 - Mike Skinner replaced Hermie Sadler..Tide is going on the #00 and Aaron's going to the #34 for the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.(NASCAR Stats Services)(10-1-2005)
AND the deal was with the #34 Front Row Racing team and #32 owner, Cal Wells, which failed to make the race with driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. So Wells made a deal with Chris Edwards, owner of the #34 Ford that Hermie Sadler qualified for the race. But since the #34 is a Ford this week [usually a Chevy], the Wells made a deal with Jenkins and Mike Skinner, moving Skinner to the #34 Ford and using the #00 car, which is really the #92 [owners points #192 Bob Jenkins the owner] and will run the #32 in the race with Tide as the sponsor. Running the race will NOT get the #32 team owner, Cal Wells, any owners points for the race, driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. will of course get drivers points since he will start the race in the car, but has to start in the rear of the field due to the drivers change. Sadler was supposedly compensated for letting the switch happen as well as the owners of the #34 and #192 [#00]. The #00/92 was an odd deal already, as a deal between Jenkins and #00 [#100] team owner Michael Waltrip to run Skinner and Aaron's along with the #00, similar to the deal between Waltrip and Bill Davis Racing to run the #00 Dodge with Aaron's and Kenny Wallace a few weeks ago.(10-2-2005)
Norris to help Waltrip: Ty Norris, formerly of DEI and Speedway Motorsports has been hired by Michael Waltrip to run Waltrip Racing World in Cornelius, NC off Exit 28 in I-77.(9-30-2005)
#00 Team Note; been told the #00 is the #192, being allowed to use the #00 number with Mike Skinner driving and the #192 Front Row racing team getting the owners points and the credit for the race attempt at Talladega Superspeedway, allowing them to keep the full season race attempts streak alive. #192 [#92] has run many drivers in 2005, Stanton Barrett, Tony Raines, Hermie Sadler, Eric McClure among others.(9-30-2005)
Kenny Wallace to a new team? MORE: during Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup show, Kenny Wallace mentioned he would be driving some races for Joe Garone and Furniture Row Racing in some Cup races this year, that is why Johnny Benson will drive Michael Waltrip's #00 State Fair Corn Dogs Chevy at Michigan this weekend. Furniture Row Racing is running a limited Busch Series schedule in 2005 with Jerry Robertson and is based in Colorado. Supposedly Wallace's first race with the team will be at Dover International Speedway in September. Also hearing championship crew chief and former winning team owner Andy Petree will be the crew chief for Wallace.(8-16-2005)
UPDATE: Kenny Wallace will not be driving the #00 MWR car in the Michigan Nextel Cup race. The Reason is the #00 for Michigan has been outsourced to BDR [Bill Davis Racing]. BDR will use it's complete #23 car team and driver (truck series driver Johnny Benson) to run the race. This does not effect the rest of the year or the relationship with MWR.(Kenny Wallace site)(8-17-2005)
Benson back in Cup at MIS: Johnny Benson will be racing at Michigan International Speedway next weekend, August 20th - 21st. He will be competing in the #67 Dodge for the Smith Brothers Motorsports team in the Busch Series and the #00 Michael Waltrip Racing team in the Nextel Cup Series.(Johnny Benson site)(8-11-2005)
Marlin to the #0? MORE now hearing Sterling Marlin's new gig in 2006 could be the the #0 Haas CNC Racing team. No Mikey?
AND hearing Haas CNC Racing, who is moving soon to a much larger building in Kannapolis, NC, may expand to a two-car team, with Waltrip driving the #00 Chevy and NAPA as the sponsor.(7-20-2005)
Kenny in the #00 with Davis: Aaron's Sales & Lease and Kenny Wallace Racing have put together a deal with Bill Davis Racing to field the #00 Dream Machine [Dodge?] in Saturday Nights Pepsi 400 at Daytona. If more information is available it will be posted.(Kenny Wallace site)(6-28-2005)
UPDATE: Wallace was originally listed in the #23 HIstory Channel Dodge and is now list in the #00 Aaron's Sale and Lease Dodge for Bill Davis. This was an announced race for Wallace in the #00 Michael Waltrip Racing Chevy, not sure what happened. Either way, if qualifying gets rained out, neither team [#23/00 Davis, #00 MWR] would not have enough race attempts to make the race. Mike Skinner qualified the #23 for the Daytona 500 and other races as the team runs about once a month, Skinner was unavailable as the Truck Series runs at Kansas on Saturday at 3:00pm/et.(7-1-2005)
Kenny Wallace wins at Eldora: The $10,000 winner's paycheck was far from the standard amount that Nextel Cup or the Busch Series award. What's more, there were no points to be won, either. Yet Kenny Wallace had one of the best times he's ever had behind the wheel of a race car Wednesday night, winning the inaugural Nextel Prelude to a Dream late model modified stock car race at the Tony Stewart-owned Eldora Speedway. Although the main event was just a 25-lap sprint, the nearly 20,000 fans in attendance saw plenty of action, including a surprise pole-winning performance by 70-something-year-old – he admits to being "somewhere between 75 and 70" – stock car legend Red Farmer, and a surprise appearance and strong fifth-place performance by semi-retired NASCAR great Bill Elliott. Given the success – and the nearly $75,000 raised for Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp (Petty finished 13th out of 14 cars) – Stewart said what started out as an experiment will return for an encore performance next year. The finishing order was Wallace, followed by Stewart and sprint car ace Danny Lasoski. Ken Schrader was fourth, followed by Elliott, Dave Blaney, Bobby Labonte, Farmer, drag racer Ron Capps, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Petty and Mike Wallace, who was the only driver who failed to finish, suffering a blown motor midway through the race.(Yahoo Sports)(6-9-2005)
Kenny Wallace to run #00 for Waltrip, different sponsor: Kenny Wallace will be behind the wheel of the #00 Bryan’s Chevrolet prepared by Michael Waltrip Racing this weekend for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event at Darlington Raceway. Wallace seeks his second Nextel Cup start of the 2005 season, his 18th career start at the track “Too Tough to Tame.” Wallace ran four races for Waltrip in 2004 and ran the Daytona 500 earlier this year finishing 40th due to an engine failure. He is scheduled to drive six more Nextel Cup events this season for Michael Waltrip Racing.(Michael Waltrip site)(5-6-2005)
Aaron's re-ups with Waltrip and the #00 team: Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership, which is sponsoring Sunday’s Nextel Cup race, extended its primary sponsorship of Michael Waltrip’s Busch team through 2008. Waltrip’s team will carry Aaron’s colors in at least 22 Busch races each season through 2008, as well as four Nextel Cup races in a Waltrip-#00 owned car driven by Kenny Wallace.
Wallace failed to qualify for tomorrow’s race, so Aaron’s will sponsor Hermie Sadler, who will start the Aaron’s 499 in 30th place.(Speed Channel)(5-1-2005)
#00 Team in trouble? Kenny Wallace's #00 team could be in big trouble with NASCAR after inspectors at Talladega Superspeedway confiscated a trick rear-end housing from the team, owned by Michael Waltrip. A fine is expected, and some speculate it'll be $50,000, because the design might be considered a safety issue.(Winston Salem Journal), the team failed to qualify for the race.(4-30-2005)
#66 to run Aaron's decals: Michael Waltrip, who owns the #00 Aaron's Rent Chevy that Kenny Wallace attempted to get into the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway but failed to qualify for, said that #66 Hermie Sadler would run the Aaron's decals on Sunday in the race.(Speed Channel's Trackside)(4-29-2005)
Herman wins $50,000 for Charity: Kenny 'Herman' Wallace, the driver of ppc Racing's #22 Stacker 2 Ford in the Busch
Series, has won the Mobil High-Endurance Poker Challenge at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, which will mean a $50,000 donation to the Autism Society of America. Wallace and Shane Wilson, crew chief for Penske-Jasper Racing's #77 Dodge of Travis Kvapil, were the final competitors in the charity tournament Thursday night.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-12-2005)
New Season of 'NASCAR DRIVERS: 360' return: The FX network has placed a second season order of seven episodes for "NASCAR Drivers: 360." The show, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the everyday lives of NASCAR drivers, premieres May 13 at 10:30 ET. Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Kenny Wallace, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace will be featured during the seven-week run.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-18-2005)
Kennon joins MWR: Longtime NASCAR crew chief Gere Kennon, who recently was general manager at Innovative Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, has joined Michael Waltrip Racing. Kennon's primary focus is MWR's Busch Series effort, but he was at Daytona last week overseeing Waltrip's Nextel Cup program with driver Kenny Wallace.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(1-17-2005)
Kenny to run a gold #00: Aaron Rents announced it will officially open its 1,000th store location. The Company's milestone store is located in Swainsboro, Georgia and the grand opening is expected to kick off another record-breaking year for store-count growth. Aaron's marked the 1,000th store opening with an event in Swainsboro, Georgia on Thursday, January 13th. In order to honor 2005 as the Company's 50th year in business, Aaron's has announced the Company will conduct a Golden Anniversary Sweepstakes worth more than $78,000 in prizes. "Capitalizing on our long-standing and very successful partnerships in motorsports, five first prize winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Texas Motor Speedway on November 5 and 6, 2005. Fifty runners-up will each receive an autographed racing helmet signed by NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, one of our spokespersons. And, Aaron's will put one lucky grand prize winner in the driver's seat of a car manufactured the same year the very first Aaron's opened for business - a mint condition 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air," said Mark Rudnick, Aaron's Vice President of Marketing. Consumers can enter the Golden Anniversary Sweepstakes by visiting any Aaron's location or by visiting the Company's website at www.aaronrents.com. Aaron's will have two distinct paint schemes for 2005. This year will
mark Aaron's 50th anniversary and their race cars will reflect the celebration of Aaron's golden anniversary. The #99 Busch car and the #00 Cup car will sport a golden paint scheme at the two Daytona and Talladega races. The #99 Busch blue paint scheme will run at all other scheduled events. Kenny Waalace will drive the #00 Chevy for Michael Waltrip Racing. See an image of the #00 Cup car on my #00 Team Schemes page.(1-17-2005)
Kenny all over the tube in 2005: Kenny Wallace has signed a 2 year contract with SpeedTV to be in the following
shows:
NASCAR Drivers 360: Wallace will be filmed and shown in six out of the eight episodes starting in Speed weeks in Daytona.
Inside Nextel Cup: Wallace will play a more active role in the show in 2005 and 2006 and be seen in many more shows.
NASCAR This Morning - NASCAR Victory Lane: Wallace will be seen on both shows every NC race day as long as he is able to be at the show in person.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Wallace will be the Craftsman Truck color commentator for Speed on weekends in which the Truck Series and Wallace are in the same location.(Kenny Wallace Racing site)(1-8-2005)
Kenny back with Mikey: Kenny Wallace has signed a contract with Michael Waltrip Racing to compete in
at least four Nextel Cup races in 2005. Driving the #00 Chevy Aarons Rent Car at both Daytona and Talladega Races. The car being used is the ex-Dale Jr Bud Shootout car from 2004, in which Dale came in 2nd. Wallace will have no provisionals available in any of the races so will have to race into each, but he can't wait to show everyone his speed in that car.(Kenny Wallace Racing site)(1-7-2005)
2004 News
Kenny in the #1 at Talladega: Kenny Wallace will no longer be driving the #00 Aaron's Chevy for Michael Waltrip at Talladega in the EA Sports 500. Wallace will instead drive the #1 Aaron's Rent DEI Chevy(Kenny Wallace site), Waltrip didn't have a car ready for the race.(9-23-2004)
Four Mo Races in the #00 for Kenny: Kenny Wallace will drive the #00 Michael Waltrip Aarons Dream Machine Chevy in four more Cup races: Talladega, Lowes Motor Speedway, Atlanta and Homestead,(Kenny Wallace Site)(9-7-2004)
Operation Marathon scheme at Homestead: Kenny Wallace will have a "Operation Marathon" special paint scheme on the Nextel Cup #00 Aaron's Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway to promote Michael Waltrip's effort to run the 39th Annual Las Vegas Marathon. Waltrip, who is running the race to benefit The Victory Junction Gang, will also run the special scheme in the Busch race on his #99 Aaron's Chevy.(RacingOne)(8-28-2004)
Andy Petree joins Michael Waltrip Racing: Andy Petree, former car owner and championship crew chief, joins Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc. (MWR) effective in Bristol, Tenn., this weekend. "In an effort to continuously improve our race cars," car owner Michael Waltrip explained, "we've turned to a man whose knowledge of NASCAR has carried him to the pinnacle of stock car racing. Andy's experience will help us assess and grow our existing Busch and Cup programs. Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership is a great sponsor and we have to win for them."
"In general, Andy has become a part of Michael Waltrip Racing to help move us forward. Performance has been respectable overall, but we are not up to par with the teams consistently winning races. While spending time at the race shop, evaluating our equipment and getting to know the team members, Andy will also serve as the acting crew chief on the weekends."
"Michael needs help and I am available," Petree said. "I am going to hang out with these guys for a while and see what we can accomplish. Michael has a great organization in place, so I am here to simply give my opinion and see where I can be beneficial to his teams."(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(8-27-2004)
Kenny at Bristol in the #00: on Speed Channel's Trackside show from Michigan, Michael Waltrip, owner of the #00 Aaron's Rent's/Dream Machine Chevy that runs a limited Cup schedule with Kenny Wallace driving, mentioned that Wallace would attempt the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway next week. Wallace never got a shot to qualify the #00 at Michigan as qualifying was rained out.(8-21-2004)
More Races for Kenny in the #00: Michael Waltrip will expand his ownership role with five Nextel Cup races later this year. Waltrip will run Kenny Wallace in the #00, with Aaron's as the sponsor, starting with the Pepsi 400 on July 3. Joe Garone will be the crew chief for the team, which has acquired cars and engines from Dale Earnhardt Inc. Waltrip finished a season-best second Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-31-2004)
Mikey..Cup team owner? #15-Michael Waltrip, whose wit and charisma have made him one of NASCAR's most popular drivers, is heavily involved in television work. He is featured in TV commercials and serves as a commentator on various racing programs. He said he might consider a career in broadcasting after his racing days are done, but also wants to remain in the sport. ''At some point I'd like to own a (Nextel) Cup team,'' said Waltrip, who currently fields his own Busch Series team [#99 Aaron's Chevy that won at Nashville on Saturday]. ''That would give me an opportunity to remain involved in something I love after I'm done driving.''(Tennessean), also Waltrip doers have a part-time Cup team, the #00 Team, one in which Kenny Wallace will run five races.(4-11-2004)
Kenny Wallace to run for Waltrip, five races UPDATE: Michael Waltrip announced today that his longtime Busch Series sponsor, Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership, has agreed to sponsor the #00 Chevrolet in five Nextel Cup races this season with veteran driver Kenny Wallace behind the wheel. The five-race schedule includes the October 31 MBNA Bass Pro Shops 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.[doesn't say what the other four races are](AMS Pit Notes)(3-13-2004)
UPDATE: Kenny Wallace will make a five-race return to the Nextel Cup Series later this season in a car collaboratively run by Michael Waltrip Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. Wallace will drive a #00 Aaron's Chevy in the five events beginning with the Aaron's 499 on April 25 at Talladega. In addition, Wallace will run the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Sharpie 500 at Bristol and the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta, the home of Aaron's corporate office. Tony Gibson, the DEI crew chief whose #1 Chevrolet [so I guess the news below about Andretti and the #1 finding a sponsor may be for a limited schedule] is not running a full-time schedule becauseof lack of sponsorship, will supervise Wallace's effort. Wallace said the first question he asked when Waltrip approached him to do the deal was about testing, and that the team would test at Daytona International Speedway on April 12-13.(NASCAR.com)(3-14-2004)
2003 News
Buckshot at Homestead in the #00? No it will be Mike Skinner: on Michael Waltrip's webiste, they have a webcam, on it is the #00 Bacardi Chevy, not sure if Buckshot Jones will drive this car at Homestead or if it will run, if I hear anything, it will be posted. Jone's has driven for Waltrip in the past at Talladega and Atlanta in the #00 Chevy.
UPDATE: Mike Skinner will drive Michael Waltrip's #00 Bacardi Chevy at Homestead.(11-10-2003)
Buckshot to test at Talladega and Atlanta: hearing that Buckshot Jones will be testing at Talladega today and Wednesday in Michael Waltrip's #00 Chevy AND that Jones will also test a Michael Waltrip Chevy at Atlanta on Monday, Sept 29th and Wed Sept 30th, Aaron's will sponsor Jones in the car at Atlanta.(9-16-2003)
Buckshot back - to run Atlanta: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) and Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership are pleased to announce Georgia native Buckshot Jones will drive the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine Chevy in the Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 26, 2003. The car will be prepared and crewed by MWR's NASCAR Busch Series team coordinated by crew chief, Bobby Kennedy. The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 will mark Jones' return to Winston Cup racing since his 17th-place finish in the #09 Dodge at the Daytona International Speedway in July. Buckshot has 55 Winston Cup starts in his career with a best finish of eighth at Dover in 1998.
"Bobby Kennedy always likes to stay in touch with the Winston Cup Series and this is an opportunity to test the waters and do so in Buckshot and Aaron's backyard," explained Waltrip.. "Buckshot has the talent and the determination it takes to run well in any NASCAR series and his testing efforts have shown us he'll proudly don the Aaron's Dream Machine colors in the Cup race. Buckshot and I have been trying to put something together for a while now, and it just makes sense to have a Georgia driver and a Georgia sponsor in the race just outside of Atlanta (Ga.).. Everyone involved is looking forward to making this happen.. Aaron's is the sponsor for the Busch race on Saturday and will have many of their employees and customers in town.. It just makes since to expand Aaron's involvement over the course of the entire weekend."
"I'm excited," Jones said. "I know Michael and Bobby put together fast racecars everywhere they go.. We tested earlier this year and our times were fast enough to be in last year's top-10.. I love Atlanta Motor Speedway and can't wait to get down there, turn some laps and challenge myself to a top-10 finish in the Aaron's Dream Machine."
"Aaron's is in the business of making dreams come true, and we are going to help Buckshot realize his dream of returning to the Winston Cup Series," said Ken Butler, President of Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership. "By letting Buckshot race the Dream Machine in Atlanta, someone may come along and give him that full-time job he's been looking for and we'll enjoy watching an Aaron's car race toward the front on Saturday and Sunday." The Georgia 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway is scheduled for October 26, 2003 at 1:00 PM and will be broadcast live on NBC and PRN radio.(Aaron's PR)(8-26-2003)
UPDATE and a 2nd race? Buckshot Jones is set to return to the Winston Cup circuit at Talladega on Sept. 28 and at Atlanta on Oct. 26. Jones said the two races he's running later this season in a Michael Waltrip-owned Chevrolet are his only scheduled appearances for the time being.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-29-2003)
Buckshot back? UPDATE 2: hearing Buckshot Jones will test at Atlanta towards the end of February, could be a possible ride Michael Waltrip in the #00.(2-3-2003)
UPDATE: hearing that Jones will not test at Atlanta but will run the race in the #00 Chevy.(2-20-2003)
UPDATE 2: hearing the sponsor will not be Charter Communications and that the new sponsor will be announced soon. AND Jones is entered in the MBNA Bass Pro Shops 500 in a car owned by Winston Cup driver Michael Waltrip. It's the same car Jones brought to AMS last fall, only to see rain wash out qualifying and rob him of a chance to earn a starting spot. Jones, who hasn't raced since he drove the #44 Dodge last April in Martinsville, hoped to run some practice laps at AMS next week, but that's not going to happen. Since NASCAR changed the body rules after the 2002 season, it has been difficult for a part-time team to find someone to re-skin the car. "We had hoped to get the people at Dale Earnhardt Inc. to hang the body, but they're pretty busy with their own cars," Jones said. With little hope for a full-time ride, Jones has turned to developing residential subdivisions in and around Gwinnett County. Jones said he'd like to resume his racing career, but the odds of getting a front-running car are slim.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(2-22-2003)
UPDATE 2: been told that since the car was not ready to test, it has been decided that Bickshot Jones will NOT run at the March Cup race in Atlanta, but plans are to run at Atlanta in Oct.(2-27-2003)
2002 News
Buckshot not racing in 2003: per the Buckshot00.com site and Buckshot Jones - "It is with great sadness that I must tell you that as of right now I have no plans to race full-time next season. Unfortunately, without a sponsor, there isn’t anything that we can do. We will be closing the website on November 30th. We will not continue the fan club in 2003. However, if an opportunity to race full-time arises, we will start the fan club and website back up. I can’t begin to tell you how much your support has meant to me throughout the years. Thank you for everything that you have done for me.(11-23-2002)
Larry Mac to spot for Buckshot: former Crew Chief and current Fox broadcaster, Larry McReynolds will be the spotter for Buckshot Jones at Atlanta, Jones is driving Michael Waltrip's #00 Charter Chevy.(10-25-2002)
Buckshot to race at Atlanta UPDATE: Buckshot Jones will test a Chevrolet owned by Michael Waltrip on Tuesday and Wednesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway in preparation for the Oct. 27 NAPA 500. Jones said the sponsorship deal he has is for one race, but there could be others added to the schedule if adequate funds can be secured. "Until you get the sponsorship, you can't do anything," Jones said. He said he feels comfortable returning to the circuit in Waltrip's car. "I know Michael and I know he's got good equipment," Jones said. "And He's capable of doing what I want to do." Since leaving the Petty Enterprises #44 Dodge after the Martinsville race, Jones has spent his time trying to work out a deal to continue racing. He's also trying to build a career as a land developer, but his desire to race is foremost at this point. In addition to driving the #15 NAPA Chevy, Waltrip has fielded Winston Cup cars this season for Kenny Wallace [#98 Aaron's at Talladega] and Jerry Nadeau [#00 Aaron's at Chicago].(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(9-28-2002)
UPDATE: Charter Pipeline will be the primary sponsor for the Michael Waltrip owned #00 Chevy that Buckshot Jone's will driver at Atlanta.(Buckshot Jones site)(10-8-2002)
Nadeau and Earnhardt Jr test Chicago: #00-Jerry Nadeau and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. tested at Chicagoland Speedway on Tuesday in preparation for the July 14 Cup stop. Nadeau is driving a car owned by Michael Waltrip in a one-race deal. A miscommunication between Nadeau and Waltrip led Waltrip to believe this past weekend that Nadeau would not be in the car for Chicago because of another opportunity.(Roanoke Times)(6-26-2002)
Nadeau in a Waltrip car at Chicago? an Image: ESPN2 RPM 2 Night's Ray Dunlap reports that Jerry Nadeau will drive a Michael Waltrip owned car at Chicagoland and possibly some additional races.(6-12-2002)
UPDATE: hearing Nadeau will be driving the Michael Waltrip Racing Inc. #00 Chevy, sponsored by Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership, at Chicagoland Speedway.(6-18-2002)
UPDATE 2: hearing Waltrip has purchased a Cup car from DEI (a former #15 NAPA car) and will lease DEI engines. Suppoesdly a one-race deal right now, but may end up at the Brickyard 400 also.(6-19-2002)
UPDATE 3 Nadeau/Waltrip official: Jerry Nadeau will pilot the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, July 14th. The car will be Michael Waltrip Racing's second venture as a Winston Cup team owner. Waltrip fielded the #98 Aaron's Dream Machine driven by Kenny Wallace in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway this past April. Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership will sponsor the #00 Winston Cup entry. Nadeau, a native of Danbury, CT, logged his first Winston Cup start June 15, 1997 and his first win in the 2000 NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Recently, he was behind the wheel of the #10 Valvoline Pontiac while Johnny Benson recovered from injuries sustained at Richmond International Speedway earlier this year. Last weekend at Sears Point, rear-end gear failure with three laps to go cost him the victory in the #44 Petty Enterprises car. Waltrip, whom owns and drives the #99 Aaron's Dream Machine in the BGN, bought the Winston Cup car from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. "Aaron's comes to me about everything they do in NASCAR", said Waltrip. "I wanted to field another Winston Cup car and they were willing to back me."
"I don't know about other companies," said Ken Butler, President of Aaron's, "but NASCAR works for us. You have to advertise where demographics show your customers are and NASCAR fans are our customers. We're using it to drive our customer base. So we're more than happy to join this endeavor with Michael, Waltrip Racing and Jerry Nadeau."
"I'm excited that Michael and Aaron's are giving me this chance," said Nadeau. "Especially at a track like Chicago. I almost won there last year. Mile and a half tracks have in general been good to me. And the guys at the shop have been working their butts off to give me a great car to test with. It's going to be a fun weekend and hopefully if things go well I'll have more opportunities like this in the future." For more information on Aaron's, please visit www.shopaarons.com or call 1-800-950-7368.(Aaron's PR)(6-25-2002)
AND See my Paint Scheme Gallery for a image of the scheme.(6-26-2002)
Nadeau at DEI? UPDATE in the #44 at Sears Point and in a Waltrip car: hearing Jerr Nadeau, recently released from the #25 Hendrick Motorsports ride, is talking to Dale Earnhardt Inc about a ride there for 2003.
UPDATE: ESPN2 RPM 2 Night's Ray Dunlap reports that Jerry Nadeau will be in the #44 Petty Racing Dodge at Sears Point in place of regular driver Steve Grissom. Also reported that Nadeau will drive a Michael Waltrip owned car at Chicagoland and possibly some additional race.(6-12-2002)
Nadeau and Hendrick Part Ways: Hendrick Motorsports and driver Jerry Nadeau on Wednesday agreed to part ways, effective immediately, ending Nadeau’s tenure with the #25 team. Sources said Joe Nemechek, who lost his ride earlier this season with Travis Carter Enterprises when sponsor Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is the top candidate to replace Nadeau for the remainder of the season. Hendrick said no one has been chosen to fill the vacancy, although a search is under way. Nadeau, 31, scored the only win of his Winston Cup career in November 2000 at Atlanta at the conclusion of his first full season with Hendrick. In 150 starts, he has one win, eight top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. Just last week, the 25 team replaced crew chief Tony Furr with Ken Howes. “Both Hendrick Motorsports and myself as a driver are dedicated to the same goal – winning races,” Nadeau said. “But after we sat down and evaluated the situation, it was obvious that we were not making the kind of progress we owe our fans and sponsors and decided it would be best to go our separate ways. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports was a great experience for me. At the end of my first season with the team, I really felt that we were on our way, but the results we were capable of just weren’t there.”(ThatsRacin.com)(5-8-2002)
UPDATE: Jerry Nadeau, who parted ways with Hendrick Motorsports Wednesday says he's in no rush to jump into a situation right away. With the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte coming up, Nadeau if he has to sit in the stands with his wife at Charlotte he'll do that and watch a good race. As for the UAW-Delphi Monte Carlo team, Nadeau said Hendrick gave him a heck of an opportunity, but unfortunately things just didn't work out. "We just seemed like we've always had tons and tons of bad luck. I was really discouraged and I think they were discouraged at their side because we didn't have a crew chief in line for the team, but things were starting to fall apart. I was not happy because I really felt that team should be a lot better than it is and I felt there were areas in which we could improve but we never had a lot of good luck. I hate to say that as a team, but we just seemed like we always had situations happen to us and it never really seemed like it happened to a lot of other teams. I'm not here to gripe about it, but it was a matter of everything working together and obviously there was some situations that just wasn't working right. Nadeau also says it's disappointing because he got his first win his first year there and
"then it just seemed like it started downhill from there". They were really good to me...they were like family to me, but things just didn't happen. I'm sad to go for sure because they're great people.(PRN's Garage Pass)(5-8-2002)
Waltrip to field a car for Kenny Wallace at Talladega? Mike Waltrip mentioned during the Fox BGN rain delay coverage that Michael Waltrip racing will field a Cup car at Talladega for Kenny Wallace that will carry Aaron's Rent sponsorship and that Aaron's will also be the title sponsor of the Cup at Talladega that will be know as the 499 not the 500. Supposedly DEI will supply the car (a backup #15) and engine, not sure what number it'll use (#81 as used in Daytona testing?). Waltrip seemed serious and Kenny Wallace was interviewed a bit later and says it is a serious effort and it is being posted on the Kenny Wallace site.(4-6-2002)
