(photo courtesy Harold Hinson)

Every since Michael Waltrip started up his own race team, MWR, it appears that there has been something missing that would take MWR to the next level.  The organization has only won two races, both of them by David Reutimann.  That team has been very erratic, and so . . . → Read More: It’s Official, Bowyer Moves To Michael Waltrip Racing]]>

(photo courtesy Harold Hinson)

Every since Michael Waltrip started up his own race team, MWR, it appears that there has been something missing that would take MWR to the next level.  The organization has only won two races, both of them by David Reutimann.  That team has been very erratic, and so has the  Martin Truex, Jr. race team.

Friday, at the Kansas Speedway, Michael Waltrip announced the signing of Clint Bowyer to drive the MWR #15 5Hour Energy Drink Toyota beginning in 2012.  Bowyer is a  former Nationwide champion, and a multiple winner at the Sprint Cup level for Richard Childress Racing.  Is this the piece of the puzzle that has been missing for MWR?

Clearly that is what everybody at MWR, Toyota and new sponsor 5-Hour Energy is hoping in hiring a driver whom many firmly believe is one of the top wheelmen in the garages. They are hoping that Bowyer will help the team reach the Chase next season and then do well once in those playoffs.

Clint Bowyer is extremely optimistic about the prognosis for MWR in 2012.

“I see a young, aggressive team,” he said. “Great backing with Toyota behind them in a down market. I see a young, energetic sponsor in the same boat. Both of them are pushing forward. They’re spending.  I see this as an opportunity to catch up, period. I think that there’s no question MWR has done a great job with marketing for their sponsors and keeping sponsors. Better than anybody in the garage area.”

“I see their performance improving week in and week out, so I had to work my butt off to make sure I was on top of them before I walked into this deal here. I just see this as a wonderful opportunity for me to prove myself to everybody. I mean, when you go into RCR (Richard Childress Racing) that has already won many championships and had the success Richard’s (Childress) had, you’re just kind of another guy there. If we can go on and put them in the Chase and continue to move forward with MWR, you’re going to build your brand even better.”

Bowyer was to become a free agent after the current season, 2011. About three months ago, he said, he was approached by 5-Hour Energy about being his sponsor in 2012.

Bowyer said he approached RCR about staying with that team with 5-Hour as his primary sponsor but no deal could be worked out.

Asked about that Friday, Bowyer said, “We’re not here to talk about that.  We’re here to talk about the future and it just didn’t work out.  It was a shame.  Like I said, I owe a great deal to Richard (Richard).  It was just a few miles down the road I was standing in a body shop when that man called me.  I will never forget that day and I owe a lot to him for that, but I also owe him this opportunity as well.”

As it stands, RCR’s lineup next season will consist of Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard. Also, presumably, waiting in the wings is Austin Dillon, Childress’ grandson who has been impressive in the Camping World Trucks Series.

MWR was more than willing to put Bowyer in one of its rides and on Friday, the deal became official.

“I think timing is everything,” Bowyer said. “It’s so weird how all of this has happened. The minute one door closes, it’s like somebody is looking after you and just kind of putting me on this path. As one door would close the other one would open and it was almost like the very next step. It didn’t matter who you were talking to, there was a closed door and an opened door and it just kind of led to this. I truly feel like this is where I’m supposed to be and I think that is a great thing.”

What is your thoughts about Bowyer moving over to Michael Waltrip Racing?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

(photo courtesy Jason Smith/Getty Images)

After 25 years and 759 starts in NASCAR, Michael Waltrip is backing off of the “get loud” pedal.  That’s right, Mikey plans to slow up, but only on the race track.  The owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, which fields cars for David Reutimann and now Martin Truex, . . . → Read More: Mikey’s Gettin’ Out Of The Gas]]>

(photo courtesy Jason Smith/Getty Images)

After 25 years and 759 starts in NASCAR, Michael Waltrip is backing off of the “get loud” pedal.  That’s right, Mikey plans to slow up, but only on the race track.  The owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, which fields cars for David Reutimann and now Martin Truex, Jr., is bringing his driving career to a halt.

“I’m going to run Daytona, The Shootout, and the 500.  That’s the only Cup races that I am going to run in 2010″, Waltrip said Wednesday night during a stop at the NASCAR Media Tour sponsored by the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  “I am comfortable with that,” Waltrip notes.  In his 25 years of Sprint Cup racing he has notched 4 points race victories, two of those were the Daytona 500 of 2001 and 2003.  Additionally, Waltrip won The All-Star race several years ago for the Wood Brothers Racing in their famous #21 Ford.

For Waltrip’s 2010 Sprint Cup venture, and as kind of a variation of and throw back to the “good times’ with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and to commemorate his four victories, Mikey is turning in his #55 NAPA Toyota Camry for the #51 NAPA Toyota Camry. ( Waltip’s four Cup victories were in the DEI #15 NAPA Chevy.)

Even though Waltrip is climbing out of his Sprint Cup ride, the #55 Napa Toyota Camry, he is not pulling the plug completely on his driving career.  Mikey has been working on putting together a deal to drive in The Camping World Truck Series.  He has a partial schedule package with Billy Ballew Motorsports, that’s the team that Kyle Busch had driven for in the #51 Miccosukee Tundra truck.

At 46 years old, Michael Waltrip would like to end his career with a big win, like another Daytona 500 victory!  Even though Waltrip is slowing his driving career down, he is still very much involved in NASCAR.  He is the force behind Michael Waltrip Racing, as well as a TV analyst  for Speed TV.

So fret not sports fans, Mikey is not riding off into the NASCAR sunset!  Sit down in your favorite easy chair and buckle up, ’cause we will still be privy to the quirkiness of Michael Waltrip for years to come!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!