Catchfence

Will Drive the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota in the Daytona 500

CORNELIUS, N.C. – A driving career that has spanned a quarter of a century, defined by two emotional winning performances on NASCAR’s biggest stage, will be celebrated during the 2010 Daytona 500.

Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, announced today that he will drive a limited schedule beginning next season as he begins to focus on being one of the youngest multi-team owners in the history of NASCAR.

“This sport, this race and this sponsor are very special to me,” said Waltrip. “The first race I ever ran for NAPA AUTO PARTS was the 2001 Daytona 500. I won it. I wore the blue and yellow when I was fortunate to return to victory lane once again to proudly hold up the Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy in 2003. Those wins and what NAPA and I have accomplished over nine seasons have helped define my career.”

The relationship between Waltrip and NAPA is one of the longest sponsor-driver partnerships in the history of NASCAR. Together, they have produced solid results both on and off the track. On the track, they have visited victory lane six times. Off the track, they have activated one of the most successful sponsor-driver marketing campaigns in all of motorsports.

“It was a good day in September of 2000 when the late great Dale Earnhardt gave us the opportunity to advance to the top level of NASCAR with Michael Waltrip behind the wheel. We have enjoyed many successes together with multiple wins including two Daytona 500 victories,” said Bob Susor, NAPA President. “Michael has been key in our marketing efforts through the years and we look forward to honoring him as he takes the wheel of the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota once again in the 2010 Daytona 500.”

Since joining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1985, Waltrip has over 1,000 NASCAR starts that include two Daytona 500 victories (2001 & 2003), wins in Daytona’s 400-mile event (2002), Talladega Superspeedway (2003) and the All-Star Challenge (1996). Plus, he has earned four pole positions. In the NASCAR Nationwide Series, he has collected 11 victories and 14 poles. In total, he has earned over $47,000,000. Currently, Waltrip drives the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as well as the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry in select NASCAR Nationwide Series events. He is the co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing that fields two NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Nationwide Series entry. MWR is also technically aligned with JTG-Daugherty Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

In addition to his role of driver and owner, Waltrip has been a popular television personality on SPEED since 1996. He’s an original member of one of the longest running shows on the cable network, “This Week in NASCAR” that airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. He’s also an analyst for its NASCAR Camping World Truck Series broadcasts.

About NAPA

NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America’s growing need for a world-class auto parts distribution system. By providing excellent customer service for more than 80 years, NAPA has become the industry leader.

NAPA’s strength is unrivaled, with over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, 64 Distribution Centers, more than 13,000 NAPA AutoCare and AutoCare Collision repair facilities, over 380,000 parts in inventory every day and the convenience of 24-hour shopping with NAPAonline. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores provide friendly, personalized service. Our highly trained and experienced professionals are here to help you get the job done. With our huge in-stock inventory, NAPA provides the parts you need when you need them.

NAPA is currently participating its 14th season of primary sponsorship in NASCAR. NAPA AUTO PARTS has visited victory lane in all three major NASCAR series – Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup – amassing 30 wins, two Daytona 500 victories, and two Truck Series championships.

About Michael Waltrip Racing

Over a decade ago, Michael Waltrip established a modest family-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team in Sherrills Ford, N.C., called Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). In 2007 when TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) entered competition in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, Waltrip developed a strong partnership with Toyota to field three full-time Toyota Camrys at the pinnacle of the sport while maintaining the integrity of his championship caliber Nationwide team. In the midst of building three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams from the ground floor, Waltrip commenced the construction of a 140,000 sq. ft shop in which his two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and Nationwide Series team are housed today along with JTG-Daugherty’s No. 47 Toyota Camry.

- Michael Waltrip Racing, Press Release