Since retiring from full time competition after the 2009 season, Kentucky native Michael Waltrip has made only a handful of starts in the cup series. All of these starts have been at either Daytona and Talladega, as restrictor plate racing is Waltrip's strongest suit, but when the opportunity to run in the first Sprint Cup Series race at his home racetrack, he couldn't turn it down. He's also running a special paint scheme just for the occasion.
Waltrip will run an orange and white No. 15 Camry to honor his brother Darrell's induction into the Nascar Hall of Fame. The paint job is similar to the one on the Terminal Transport car DW drove to his first victory at Nashville Speedway in 1975. The car will also feature the elder Waltrip's picture on the hood and a family photo from the victory lane celebration after that '75 win will be on the rear quarter panels.
"Seeing (the photograph) still makes me smile" Waltrip said. "This was when all the winning started and led Darrell to the Nascar Hall of Fame. What a happy group we were. So many people who helped him are in it, including my grandparents."
"I had never seen a man so happy" Mikey said of his brother in Nashville victory lane. "I have always idolized my brother, and because of him racing is all I ever wanted to do. It is truly special for our family that I will be able to honor him by driving this paint scheme at the first Sprint Cup race in our home state of Kentucky."
Waltrip will have to qualify on time because his car is outside the top 35 in owner points. But the other cars in Waltrip's position are not as funded or competitive, so making the field should be an easy task for the two-time Daytona 500 champion. Getting to victory lane will be a little bit harder, but if he can pull it off, it would no doubt be the biggest win of Mikey's career. It would be big not only because it would be a victory in his home state, but because he would be able to pay tribute to his racing hero, his brother Darrell.
Well it would certainly be a cosmic thing if Mike won it - something of a miracle. But then we can all dream can't we. Anything can happen. That's why we watch.
ReplyDeleteYes it sure would have been special if he won. Unfortunately, qualifying was rained out and he didn't make the race because of his points position. But it was still a cool tribute to a racing legend.
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