Tag Archives: Michael Waltrip Racing

Jimmie Johnson has Flourished in an Evolving Environment

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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson poses for a photo during the NASCAR 2017 Media Tour at the Charlotte Convention Center on January 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

This isn’t the first time Jimmie Johnson will face an update in the competition model, but the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet isn’t vain enough to think NASCAR would try to “Jimmie-proof” its playoff formats just because he keeps winning championship.

In the aftermath of the Monday night announcement of a stage-based race format and revamped playoff points system in all three of NASCAR’s national series, Johnson was the first driver to face reporters on Tuesday at the Charlotte Convention Center on the NASCAR Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. Continue reading →

AutoNation and Patrick Staropoli Team Up to Drive Pink at Homestead

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Patrick Staropoli at 9:30 pm ET on Monday, November 14, 2016 Photo - Courtesy Patrick Staropoli

Patrick Staropoli at 9:30 pm ET on Monday, November 14, 2016
Photo – Courtesy Patrick Staropoli

Patrick Staropoli is our guest on Fan4Racing NASCAR & Race Talk on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 9:30 pm ET. Call 929-477-1790 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite or @beberly18 with any questions or comments during our LIVE broadcast.

AutoNation is once again teaming up with Patrick Staropoli who will drive the No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway as part of their Drive Pink initiative. Driving the Tyler Young Motorsports entry, Staropoli and AutoNation are bringing attention to the 2017 AutoNation Cure Bowl, held in Orlando at the Camping World Stadium on December 17, 2017 to benefit Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This is the first and only college bowl game to donate their proceeds to charity. Continue reading →

Martin Truex Jr Eyes Breakthrough Victory at Kansas Speedway

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Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, holds a press conference prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 14, 2016 in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo - Josh Hedges/Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, holds a press conference prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 14, 2016 in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo – Josh Hedges/Getty Images

As well as Martin Truex Jr. has run at Kansas Speedway, it’s nothing short of remarkable that the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota has never won at the 1.5-mile track.

Truex has led laps in seven of his 16 starts at Kansas—in some cases, lots of laps. In the spring of 2012, while driving for Michael Waltrip Racing, Truex was out front for 173 circuits before finishing second to Denny Hamlin.

Most recently, Truex won the pole and led 172 laps at Kansas in May, only to finish 14th after a late-race pit road snafu. But with a berth in the Round of 8 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on the line in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 (on NBC at 2:15 p.m. ET), Truex couldn’t think of a better time to get a breakthrough victory. Continue reading →

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2016 Daytona 500 Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Daytona 500

The Place: Daytona International Speedway

The Date: Sunday, Feb. 21

The Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, Noon ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90

Distance: 500 miles (200 laps)

 

Logano(ther) One: No. 22 Ford Driver Looks to

Capture Second Straight Daytona 500 Victory

With a visit to Victory Lane in Sunday’s Daytona 500, Joey Logano would become only the fourth driver to win The Great American Race in consecutive seasons. The three drivers who have taken the checkered flag in the Daytona 500 two years in a row are Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Sterling Marlin (1994-95). Continue reading →

Former Michael Waltrip Racing Drivers Find Comfort with New Teams in 2016

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Photos - Getty Images

Photos – Getty Images

Since Michael Waltrip Racing bowed out of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there were a lot of employees, not just drivers, looking for a place with other teams. For two drivers, Clint Bowyer and David Ragan, they were able to get rides for 2016 and beyond securing their future. It’s always a roller coaster when drivers and other crew members are left to find work elsewhere when their company closes due to lack of ownership or funding. Continue reading →