Feb. 15, 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 15, 2008) – Michael Waltrip and his three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will pay tribute to the golden anniversary of the Daytona 500 on Sunday by starting the 50th running of The Great American Race sporting specially-designed gold wheels.
Following the 200-lap event, the wheels will be autographed and sold to raise money for charities supported by the France family.
Waltrip, a two-time winner of the Daytona 500 and 21-time participant, will start on the front row after qualifying his #55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry on the outside pole. Three-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett will start 20th in the #44 UPS Toyota Camry and David Reutimann 42nd in his #00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry.
The Waltrip teams will run the gold wheels only for the start of the race, moving back to their traditional chrome wheels after the first round of pit stops.
“The Daytona 500 is a race that means as much to me as it does to anyone in the world,” Waltrip said. “This race defined my career. For the 50th anniversary of The Great American Race, I really wanted to do something special to honor this historic event.”
“I am very thankful that my sponsors, NAPA, UPS and Aaron’s allowed us to do this,” Waltrip continued. “I’m very proud to be starting on the front row. As you all know, all the Michael Waltrip Racing Camrys have the cool chrome wheels. In honoring this prestigious event with the gold wheels, it’s pretty special to be starting on the front row.”
MWR Media Relations Contact:
Jennifer Chapple
Michael Waltrip Racing
20310 Chartwell Center Drive
Cornelius, NC 28031
Office: (704) 655-9550
Fax: (704) 655-9979
Mobile: (704) 507-8809
jchapple@michaelwaltrip.com |
