statement from Jim Smith, Owner of #7 Nationsrent/Ultra Motorsports team: “We wish Michael Waltrip nothing but the best in his new ride. He is a fine person and a good race car driver, and we think he will do a fine job for his new owners. Everyone at Ultra Motorsports is moving forward and we’re planning on a big year in 2001. We’re working hard every day, and we feel we’re making some real progress. The finishes the past several races haven’t been indicative of how good the cars have been. Once the finishes start matching that, this NationsRent team is going to be a team to reckon with. My goal from the minute I purchased this team was to run up front and that goal hasn’t changed at all. Everything we do, including bringing in a new driver, will be with that goal 100 percent in mind.” and from Gary Stewart, Nationsrent Sr VP: “Michael Waltrip has been a great ambassador for the NationsRent team and we wish him only the best in his future with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Ultra Motorsports is working with NationsRent to continue to do everything possible to elevate the team’s level of performance, including securing a driver for our team in 2001. We are anticipating positive results for the remainder of the season and beyond.”(Williams Co) UPDATE: Michael Waltrip indicated that his parting with current team Ultra Motorsports was an amicable one. He had not yet signed a contract to continue with the Jim Smith-owned operation, and he said that Smith had decided to change marques to Dodge for the 2001 season, and he felt the opportunity with Earnhardt was too good to pass up.(SpeedVision). See the #7 Team News and Links page, for the history of the Dodge and #7 rumor(from August)(9-13-2000)
