Bio

At age 11, Michael Waltrip already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. He would follow his dream to become a champion race-car driver like his older brother Darrell.

The younger Waltrip began his career racing go-karts in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. His stock car racing career took off in 1981, when he won the Mini-Modified division track championship at Kentucky Motor Speedway.

In 1983, Waltrip won the NASCAR Dash Series championship. Soon after, he moved to North Carolina, where he resided with NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty and his wife Lynda. Waltrip credits Richard not only with giving him his first job, but also with providing the advice and guidance that prepared him for his future as a successful driver and car owner.

In 1985, Waltrip started five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events for Richard (Dick) Bahre, making his debut at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May. The following year, Waltrip completed his first full season in the Cup Series, finishing 19th in the point standings driving for Bahre. Waltrip drove for Chuck Rider from 1987 to 1995 and the Wood Brothers from 1996 to 1998. During his tenure at the Wood Brothers, Waltrip scored his first NASCAR Cup Series win at the non-points event, the NASCAR All-Star Challenge on May 18, 1996.

Waltrip drove for James (Jim) Smith from 1999 to 2000 in the Cup Series. In 2001, Waltrip moved to Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) to drive the NAPA AUTO PARTS race car. The racing veteran earned a total of four wins during his five seasons at DEI, including Daytona 500 victories in 2001 and 2003. In 2006, Waltrip-Jasper Racing, a new team affiliated with Bill Davis Racing, fielded Waltrip’s No. 55 NAPA machine.

In 2007, Waltrip not only competed for the 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, but also expanded his role as a car owner to include three Sprint Cup teams and a Nationwide Series team. Waltrip and his teammates, 1999 NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett and rookie David Reutimann, led Toyota’s efforts during the manufacturer’s first year in Sprint Cup Series competition. Waltrip’s season highlights included winning the pole at Talladega in October and scoring two top-10 finishes and seven top-25 finishes. As car owner, he saw his Nationwide team with Reutimann at the wheel win the October race at Memphis Motorsports Park and finish second in the points championship. Waltrip also opened the doors of his one-of-a-kind race shop and fan experience, Raceworld USA.

Last season, Waltrip qualified his No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry on the front row of the 50th running of the Daytona 500. His highlights included a runner-up finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June, along with two top-10, six top-20 and 13 top-25 finishes. On Oct. 26 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, he achieved an impressive milestone when he made his 1,000th NASCAR start. Waltrip and seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty are the only drivers to have accomplished the feat. Also in 2008, his Michael Waltrip Racing organization saw the end of an era when Jarrett retired after running the first five events and the Sprint All-Star Challenge. Reutimann took over the seat of the No. 44 Toyota Camry and earned the team four top-10 and 21 top-25 finishes. Reutimann wrapped up the year by winning his first Sprint Cup Series pole at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Rookie driver Michael McDowell joined MWR and ran 22 races in the No. 00 Toyota Camry. His best start was 18th at Darlington Raceway and best finish was 20th in the September race at Richmond International Raceway.

This year marks Waltrip’s 25th season in NASCAR’s premiere division and ninth season with sponsor NAPA AUTO PARTS.