Waltrip, NAPA to stay with DEI through 2004

NASCAR.com ^ | July 14, 2002 | Marty Smith

[aomagrat]

JOLIET, Ill. -- Michael Waltrip is no longer an ingredient in the Silly Season mix.

On Sunday, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced that Waltrip will continue to drive the No. 15 NAPA-sponsored Chevrolet through the 2004 season, ending three months of speculation that the veteran driver would be replaced.

"Michael Waltrip is living up to what Dale saw in him and he's a tremendous asset to the company, both as a driver and as a part of the company's personality," said team owner Teresa Earnhardt in an issued statement.

"We're especially proud of the season Michael is having. Today's announcement reinforces that we are committed to fulfilling a long-term plan."

It's only recently gotten so peachy for Waltrip and DEI. Two months into the 2002 season, Waltrip was mired in 27th position and a rumored departure began to filter through the garage.

Then at Richmond, DEI executive vice president Ty Norris said that in order to stay in the car, Waltrip had to improve performance or a change would be made.

"I made a lot of mistakes at Richmond with what I said," Norris said. "That put undue pressure on a lot of people. What was being said probably should have been more private."

Waltrip was undaunted.

"All the talk about next year didn't affect me at all," Waltrip said. "We understood that if we went out and did our job, all the issues would take care of themselves. If we couldn't get it done, we were wasting our time staying there anyway."

Since the season's seventh week -- the low point of Waltrip's season -- he has posted six top-10s, three top-fives and a victory, and jumped to 12th. Heading into Chicago, he ranked just 95 points outside the top 10.

"This team is finally where we had hoped to be a year ago with our performance and how we're running on the track," Waltrip said. "Over last six races, we could be leading the points.

"I think we're definitely top-three. Six races is not a season, but it's certainly enough events to say there's a trend there. It all comes down to performance."

For Waltrip, it had to be about performance. Without that, he would be looking for work. He gushes in adoration of crew chief Slugger Labbe, and maintains Labbe is the major reason for the team's improvement.

"The biggest reason we were able to perform like this during this time was the leadership role Slugger played," Waltrip said. "He said don't worry about what you read or hear. Do what I tell you. Line up behind me and we'll go do this deal. I really appreciate that."

Waltrip remained both calm and confident throughout the ordeal.

"Michael has shown the most class of anyone I've ever been around during this time," Norris said. "He said, 'You're right. We've got to perform. Let's go out there and do it.' He put this team up on his shoulders and went and did it."

NAPA's current sponsorship of the No. 15 was slated to expire following this year, but after taking an extensive look at the hard numbers, they opted to re-up.

"Everyone at NAPA knows that Michael is more than an exceptional driver," NAPA president Steve Handschuh said. "He is an exceptional person, and a great ambassador for our product and this sport. We are excited about what the future holds."

[#3Fan]

At least you wasn't stuck on CNN. That'd be torture. :^)