Waltrip is headed eventually to the Toyota camp – along with Eury Jr. [note: as of 8/18 Eury signed to stay at DEI], according to one Detroit source very close to the situation – in what is reported to be a top-dollar project. “Toyota has offered Michael and Tony Jr. so much money they can’t turn it down,” the source said. Waltrip has been eyed for a Toyota ride for more than a year, in part because older brother Darrell runs a Toyota team on the Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR has been pushing Toyota to step up its presence in the sport, for the added marketing punch that would provide. And Waltrip could give Toyota quick credibility. Toyota isn’t expected to field a Cup team until 2007, although a Busch team is a possibility in 2006. Toyota does have a formidable presence in the truck series. The Toyota option? “I don’t even know when that’s a possibility, and I need a job for next year,” Waltrip replied.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-16-2005)
UPDATE: There have been whispers that [Michael] Waltrip is working with Toyota to become their flagship driver in 2007. Even though nothing firm has been announced in relation to Toyota, speculation is that they will have a car ready for the 2007 season. Don’t be surprised if the team that Waltrip drives for in 2006 is in the final year of their manufacturers’ contract.(Suffolk News Herald)(8-9-2005)
UPDATE 2: ….could find Michael Waltrip racing under the banner of Bill Davis Racing in 2006, and he might be taking his current sponsor, NAPA, with him. Waltrip has informed his current team, Dale Earnhardt Inc., that he won’t be returning to the #15 Chevy he has driven for the past five seasons. A move to Davis’ team would mesh nicely with Waltrip’s expected plans to join Toyota’s team when that manufacturer moves to the Cup circuit in 2007 or 2008], because Davis already is running Toyotas in the Craftsman Truck Series.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-19-2005)
UPDATE 3:…….also, it appears Michael Waltrip is headed to BDR. Waltrip attempted to bring Eury Jr. with him but he turned it down obviously. Bill Davis refused comment this morning.(ESPN’s SportsCenter/Mike Massaro)(8-21-2005)
UPDATE 4 – Denied: Mike Brown, general manager for Bill Davis, said his team has had “no talks at all” with Michael Waltrip about joining their operation next season.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-22-2005)
