It seems like Michael Waltrip reaches a new milestone every week. Doing stand-up comedy at the Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip this week is just the latest. The only driver to ever win races in four separate decades in one of NASCARs top series becomes the first driver to perform consecutive nights of stand-up comedy when he brings Michael Waltrips Comedy Garage to one of the worlds premier destinations. The accomplishments dont stop there. The 47-year-old became a grandfather for the first time last week and his book In the Blink of an Eye moved to eighth in its third consecutive week on the New York Times Best Seller list. A funny thing happened to me on the way to retirement, said Waltrip who also announced that he will join Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Instead of life slowing down like I thought it would after I quit racing every week, a lot of fun things are happening. They call me a GP now. My daughter Caitlyn gave birth to my first grandson Bryson Michael on Feb. 22. I won my first truck race in Daytona, In the Blink of an Eye is doing well, Le Mans is something I never dreamed of and Ive got a big weekend in Vegas where I have to intentionally be funny. Im normally funny unintentionally. Now its time to do it on purpose. Top flight comedians Henry Cho and John Reep will join Waltrip in the Comedy Garage that also includes a routine by Waltrip. The show drew more than 4,000 fans at the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in Ontario, Canada and has made stops in Kansas, Virginia and Tennessee. Waltrip will sign copies of In the Blink of an Eye the book 8-9 p.m. at the Mirage Hotel and Casino on Friday and Saturday. More info at the MWR site.(MWR)(3-2-2011)
