Page 9 - AAA Northwest Ohio - AAA Now! March/April 2013

9 MARCH/APRIL 2013
Dale Earnhardt, Jr., in the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet,
were leading the pack in first and second place,
respectively, as the drivers rounded the final turn.
Behind them, in his familiar black No. 3 car was
team owner and racing legend Dale Earnhardt, “The
Intimidator,”who appeared to be holding off other
cars for his drivers to take the win.
But then the unthinkable happened. Earnhardt’s
rear bumper was clipped, sending him spinning into
another car and eventually into the wall. His speed
was estimated to be between 155 to 160 M.P.H. at the
time of impact.
Waltrip crossed the checkered flag in first place,
breaking a streak of 462 consecutive Cup races
without a victory. His team owner, mentor and friend
Earnhardt died.
“That was a terrible day and probably the toughest
win I ever had,” says Waltrip. “But I know in my mind
that when I took the checkered flag, Dale knew that
Dale Jr. and I were driving off to win the race, and
that’s the last thing he knew on earth. I know that he
had to be really smiling when he saw that. It was a
sad day, but it’s probably one that will always mean
the most to me because I knew that I did something
that Dale wanted me to do.”
Overcoming Obstacles
Looking back, Waltrip now understands how
Earnhardt felt seeing his drivers take the flag. That’s
because in 2007, he became a team owner himself,
starting Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR), a three-car
team consisting of Martin Truex, Jr., in the No. 56
NAPA Auto Parts Toyota; Clint Bowyer in the No. 15
5-Hour Energy Toyota; and Mark Martin andWaltrip
himself in the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota.
Following an underwhelming and often
disappointing first few years—not unusual; two
other teams that began at that same year are now
defunct—MWR finally came into its own in 2012,
collecting three victories and placing two drivers,
Bowyer and Truex, Jr., in the Chase for the Sprint Cup,
a kind of postseason championship, if you will, in
which the 10 drivers with the highest regular-season
points, plus the two drivers ranked between 11th and
20th in points who have the most race wins, race not
only against the rest of the field but also against each
other during the series’ final 10 races. The driver with
the most points after those 10 races is the Sprint Cup
champion. Bowyer finished in second place.
“The 2012 season was certainly a landmark season for
our team. We were able to accomplishmore in 2012
than we have in our previous five years,”saysWaltrip.
“Survival as a teamowner in NASCAR is very tough. Very
few car owners come in and start their own team and
have success doing so because of the experience the
teams they’re racing against have. That’s why 2012 was
so important to MWR because that’s really the first time
we’ve stood toe-to-toe with the best in the industry and
been able to come out top.
“[Team ownership] is also a huge commitment
financially and a huge commitment all around. It’s
really tough to succeed,” he adds. “There’s a saying
in this world: If you want to make a million dollars in
NASCAR, start with 10 million. It’s a tough business.”
The Road Ahead
As MWR races into 2013, a lot of its focus and energy
will be placed on the new Gen-6 car. Sportier,
sleeker and designed to resemble their Chevrolet
SS, Ford Fusion and, for the MWR team, Toyota
Camry showroom counterparts, the new cars are
not only lighter, but they feature a number of design
overhauls, including new tires, additional roof
support bars, increased roof flaps and taller spoilers,
that will change the aerodynamic packages.
“There are some unknowns going into 2013 with
the new car,” says Waltrip. “But one thing I believe
is that we have the smartest people in NASCAR
working here at MWR, and they will be able to adapt
to the changes and the new car faster and better
than anyone. I’m confident that we’ll be able to
race this new car as successfully as we did with
the one with which we just finished up the 2012
season.”
And as the 2013 season kicks into high gear this
month, Waltrip will carry that same confidence
through to The Chase. It’s a confidence not only in
the engineers and crew who have been working
so diligently on the new cars, but also a confidence
in his drivers and organization as a whole.
“I want to be a champion car owner. I want to
win lots of races as a car owner and do that for
many years to come,” he says. “A championship as
a driver in the Sprint Cup Series was something I
was never able to achieve [as a driver], but it is fun
to think that I could get it done as an owner.”
Whether frombehind the wheel of a rival team’s car
or frombehind the scenes of his own organization,
2013 just could be Michael Waltrip’s year.
AWinning Team
AAA has been a proud sponsor of Michael
Waltrip Racing (MWR) since 2010 and is also
the official Insurance, Travel and Roadside
Assistance Partner of MWR. The AAA logo is
most prominent on Martin Truex, Jr.’s No. 56
NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry as well as on
all of the MWR driver’s and pit-crew fire suits,
team haulers and pit equipment.
“Having AAA as a partner is security,” says
Michael Waltrip. “It makes me happy knowing
that when our trucks leave the shop or
when our teams are on the road, AAA’s got
their back. If something goes wrong, they’re
always there.
“We also receive great discounts because
we’re part of the AAA family,” he adds. “It
makes traveling more relaxing and more
secure when you know that there’s this great
AAA family standing behind us saying ‘y’all,
we’ll help you get there safely.’ It means a lot
to me.”
—RLR