Catchfence

2009 NSCS Michael Waltrip

After Kansas only 114 points separate first from eighth. What is your take on how the Chase is evolving?

“The champion can come from any of those top-eight drivers and the race at Kansas was certainly a Chase defining race for Tony Stewart. He barreled into the start of the Chase leading the points. When he got there, he wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t showing the type of performance that he showed on Sunday. It makes these final races fun to watch as it keeps changing week to week. Tony Stewart went from being one of those eight to now being a favorite. Plus, nine of the top-10 finishers were Chase guys. I’m proud that the other guy was my driver, David Reutimann. But, with that said, you better be on your game. To be the best and win makes a guy like Tony a contender, immediately”

We are racing at a different time than usual at Auto Club Speedway? Do you like the change?

“I am looking forward to racing in the day at the Auto Club Speedway. I think it will be refreshing. The night races there were always fun, but the diversity in the schedule is what I think is really fun for me as a race car driver. You get to go to a track and deal with different variables. It is going to be hot from the word go and until the checkered flag falls. I think it might get a little cooler at the end but not that much.

“Plus, last week we saw a few engine failures. This is a 500-mile race with a high-speed, long, front straightaway. In qualifying, we can get up to 210 mph. It’s amazing we can do that in a stock car. Will engines be a variable? We’ll have to wait and see.”

Last week you started wearing a pink hat. What is that all about?

“October is breast cancer awareness month and NAPA has joined forces with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise $250,000. I wanted to show my support for the need to find a cure by wearing the pink hat that NAPA has produced for its employees. This partnership is a big deal for NAPA and it is a big deal for me. We’ll also be going pink at Charlotte. I’ll be driving the blue and pink NAPA/Susan G. Komen Foundation Toyota.”

NAPA GOES PINK! NAPA and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® are teaming up to raise $250,000 for the important cause. During the month of October, consumers who spend $25 or more at participating NAPA AUTO PARTS Stores or NAPA AutoCare Centers will receive a free NAPA/Susan G. Komen for the Cure travel mug.

Then on October 17, Waltrip will climb behind the wheel of the No. 55 NAPA/Susan G. Komen Foundation Toyota Camry for the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Michael Waltrip Fast Facts

• NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip will be competing in his 753rd NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race when the 30th event of the 2009 Sprint Cup season gets underway at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

• He will be competing in his 18th race at the Auto Club Speedway. His best start at the track is 6th (April 28, 2002) and best finish is 7th (April 27, 2003).

• Earlier this season, Waltrip earned a 15th-place finish in the Auto Club 500 on Feb. 22. The result was impressive since the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota had to start at the back of the field due to an engine change after qualifying.

• During his Cup career at the 2.0-mile oval, Waltrip has earned two top-10 and eight top-25 finishes.

• He has completed 3,878 of 4,255 laps (91.1%) at the track and has led a total of 16 laps in competition.

• His average start is 26th and average finish is 26th.

• Entering this week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, the NAPA team is 33rd in the owner standings.

- Michael Waltrip Racing/NAPA Racing, Press Release