For Brain Cancer Awareness week May 4-10, Michael Waltrip designed a special paint scheme for the #00 Toyota Camry to honor his dearly departed friend Max Helton who was instrumental in establishing Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) in 1988. “Max was a really special person in my life,” Waltrip said. “I cherished the time I spent with him and the positive influence he had on me. We will miss him, but we will never forget him.” Helton’s vision came to life with the help of Darrell and Stevie Waltrip and so many others. Michael befriended Helton in the late 80’s as he began work in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing community providing ministries for drivers, team members, family and friends. “I don’t believe our racing family would have the continuity and the family atmosphere it has if it wasn’t for Max and MRO,” Darrell Waltrip said. “Max came to my wife Stevie and me in Riverside, California in 1987 and said he wanted to start a ministry in NASCAR. He said he was willing to move to North Carolina. We were excited because he was an ordained minister. When he came to NASCAR, people immediately fell in love with him. I am so proud of Michael Waltrip and Michael McDowell for recognizing his accomplishments. Max meant a lot to everyone in this sport.” This weekend is also Mother’s Day and Michael Waltrip wanted to also pay tribute to mothers with a “Love You Mom” decal on the back of the #00 Toyota Camry. “We put a special note on McDowell’s car to all the mothers watching the race on Saturday,” Waltrip said. “Our mom is an important part of our lives. I love the fact that we are racing on Saturday, so that we can spend Mother’s Day with her at home on Sunday.” McDowell was a huge supporter of the idea because he wanted to show admiration for his mom that he lost to pancreatic cancer at age 45 when he was only 21. “I wanted to pay tribute to my mom,” McDowell said. “In addition to MW’s ‘Love You Mom’ decal, I’m also running one I designed to honor my mom. She had such a positive impact on my life. Everybody that knew her loved her. She was just a happy person. I miss seeing her smiling face, but I know she’s with me every day. My wife Jami and I want to wish all the mother’s a Happy Mother’s Day.”(MWR)(5-7-2008)
