Michael Waltrip Racing Struggling Early
Tuesday February 27, 2007
Looking over the early season NEXTEL Cup points standings I came across an interesting discovery. After two races in the 2007 NEXTEL Cup season I am still ahead of Michael Waltrip in the points. You are too.
I have zero NEXTEL Cup points after two races. That puts me 27 points ahead of Michael Waltrip's new NAPA Toyota team. Can Waltrip recover from his slow start and bring Toyota to the top of the NASCAR heap?
Comments
It serves that idiot right!
Talk about biting off more than you can chew! He was a decent driver at best, but now an owner? This could be best described as an executive of a large corporation buying and running a landscape company. He doesn’t know what he is doing, stinks at it but likes seeing his name on the sign. Not to mention the fact that putting toyota in NASCAR is like putting chocolate syrup in my beer! “Mikey stick to what you know best….. auto parts,rent to own, and commercials!
Its not just him though, look at BDR and Jeremy Mayfield, he has yet to make a race (although is higher than Waltrip in owner’s pts), but for starting a 3-car team, and having 5 starts out of a possible 6 doesn’t seem that bad to me. Red Bull has 1 out of 4 potential starts. Also, on a side note, I thought the 55 had owner’s points from last year, granted not enough to be in the top 35 (obvously), but you indicate in your article that he is a new team?
i agree with #1, he is in a toyota,who cares?
Mikey should join his brother in the broadcast booth so they could talk about themselves all the time. That would be scarey.
I am a Jr. fan, but will always like Mikey. I don’t know about your home towns, but in mine, jobs from the big 3 are going to Mexico, & Toyota is bringing jobs in, so them being in NASCAR is OK by me. I don’t believe Mikey needs to worry about making the chase, just making the top 35, & finishing the season in the top 25 I think would be good. DW might talk a lot, but that’s what he’s paid to do, at least he’s entertaining. The Waltrip’s are a big name in racing, & I hope they stay with it.
I agree with Jason. With the Ford Fusion being built in Mexico,the Dodge charger and Chevy Monte Carlo SS being built in Canada leaves only the Toyota Camry built in Kentucky(USA)backing the American worker and paying American taxes. Mikes team is like any and all new teams,they stuggle to make it and at least he is using Made In USA cars. He also stepped up and took the blame for someone elses stupidity in trying to cheat.
In regards to the Toyota issue, they employ a hell of a lot of American workforce. Their new plant here in San Antonio balked at the idea of tax abatements and built the plant anyway and pay the taxes. That way they are beholding to no one. Now this morning they announce opening a plant in Mississippi, based on labor cost in the south and getting away from the Unions of the north. We may not like a foreign company investing in NASCAR, but when the are kicking the crap out our companies, consistantly, you really cant complain. Success is earned and not given.
Until GM,Ford,Dodge,start building more relileable products Toyota is going to out sell them, don’t get me wrong I’m a die hard Ford truck owner but until Toyota can build a truck like the F-350 I’m staying with Ford! I still wonder who got into Mikey’s shop at Daytona and hope he made enough money cause he better not ever set foot in a garage again! I think he has the talent to get up in the 30’s the season,but I don’t know about #00 the hit he took Sunday might make him alittle gun/shy the next super speedway like Lowes the fastest track of the season!
My only hope is that the BIG 3 is listening, & will act accordingly. More jobs in the US = more cars bought in the US. I think Mikey will make Toyota shine in a few years, just like Evernham did with Dodge. I also agree that Mikey taking the blame like he did, shows how he really is, a stand up person. Keep racing & talking Mikey, you make it interesting & funny.
I think he is a poor owner but brought alot of sponser money to the table. Will he next year, we will see. He sure hasn’t proven anything and his driver ability has always been questionable.
I guess Red hasn’t read much about Mikey’s operation he put his all into building MWR if it falls flat he’s out millions of his own money plus Toyota’s! You got to remember he won 2 Daytona 500’s with DEI,and he’s been racing 23 years or more.Plus all those commercials he gets $$ for that too!
Can someone explain to me why anybody would want waltrip as a driver or team owner to begin with? What has he ever done? Just because nascar sticks a mic in front of his face every chance it can doesn’t mean he can drive….he has won THREE RACES in who knows how many years….and he was lucky enough to get with dale sr when they had unbeatable cars at daytona and talladega for a few years. and as far as running a team a three car team at that….toyota is crazy….and deserves what they are getting from a sub-par driver an unproven owner and a cheater who is claiming to have no knowledge of the substance found in HIS OWN CAR!
Why why would Toyota ever look to Waltrip to start a race team for them, ha ha ha, him and Jarrett, ha ha ha ha, I guess Toyota deserves what they get which is ZERO.
#13 see #10 theres your answer!
he didn’t take the blame…he said he was sorry it was there and didn’t know how it got there….BULL! You think he can be like Evernham…..why? Evernham had been there done that when he went to dodge won championships races etc. waltrip has not. But we’ll see. your entitled to your opinion…i just disagree big time.
But Everham has never driven! And Mikey took the blame “IT HAPPENED ON MY TEAM IT IS MY FAULT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS ON MWR IS MY TEAM”!And to answer J#14 Mikey life time 676 starts only 4 wins but big wins,3 poles, 38 top 5’s 122 top 10s,$32,952,751 Jarrett 641 starts 32 wins 18 poles,163 top 5s, 260 top 10s $45,940,260 I would say that is some thing!
As Weeder said, on Feb.14,Michael said I take full responsibility, which takes alot of guts to take the blame for something someone else did. A lot of people find it easier place the blame somewhere else or on someone else,but Mike didn’t. Also if Mike didn’t know what he was talking about, the big networks wouldn’t waste their money using him as a commentator.
#17 I think they should take the money and run. Jarrett used to be pretty good. Mikey never was any good. Just got lucky a couple of times. If it wasn’t for the rain he would never have won the 2nd Daytona 500.
Weeder,
Nice set of stats, but comparing to Mikey to Jarret is ridiculous. Of course Jarret eclipses Michael’s accomplishments on the track.
Most of these posts are just MEAN-SPIRITED!!!! Mikey may not be the best driver out there, but he is a great guy…I will forever remain a michael waltrip fan - even in the tough times! He makes this sport interesting and enjoyable! How many owners of companies do you know who were the best at what their company does before owning their own business! It takes some time, mistakes and learning to make a business successful. Not every company is GOLDEN right off the start! GO MIKEY!!!:)
I think most are missing the point:Steve asks do you think MWR will Recover and get into positive points for Toyota this year! I for one think he will but it will be hard,being -27 points now, hopfully no one will sabotage his operation again! I did’t think that Everham won any championship in the Dodges yet or if ever because he is like Roush wanting to sell out half his team to the highest bidder!
Right on DAN. Too many people start racing their mouths before they start their engines and then can’t stay above the yellow line.
Qualifying should be based on speed. Period. No free rides for owners points, past winners or any other exceptions.
To call the cup cars “Chevy’s” or “Ford’s” is just plain stupid. They bear no resemblance to real cars. They can call’um Daewoo’s or Studebaker’s for all I care.
I think alot of people want to see Michael Waltrip fail because he’s the owner of one of the Toyota teams. He won’t fail. He’ll fight and he will do whatever it takes to make his team work. They are off to a rough start, but give them some time and I think they’ll be fine. For anyone who has already made up their mind about Toyota you’d better watch out MWR could come out of this stronger than everyone else. Thanks Jason, I’m glad you pointed out that Toyota is the only car running in NASCAR that is made in the USA.
We can talk about how poor of a driver Michael is.we can talk about his brother, Jaws. Truth be told these guys are better racers than we can fathom. if Waltrip is 50th in driver points, that means he is the 50th best stock car driver in the world.Poor compared to his everyday competitors, but pretty good compared to us armchair crew cheifs, even if he drives a damn Toyota.
#7 and #25 both are clueless! Toyotas arent built in the USA they are assembled in the USA. More than 80% of the parts used to assemble the Toyotas are made in Japan. DUH! As for Mike and MWR, Mike is a nice guy, but not the best driver, However, You have to have the right equipment and people on your team in order to be competetive in NASCAR. I dont feel that its fair that everybody come down so hard on Mike. Ever heard the expression, There is no “I” in team! Team is also NOT spelled “MIKE”! I think Mike can do it. He has a lot of work to do though to work out the kinks. Go Mike! Just go back to Chevy! Even Ford, Dodge or Pontiac! I think most people will agree that NASCAR is an “AMERICAN MOTORSPORT” and Absolutely NO PLACE for the likes of Toyota. After all, Whose bright Idea was it to let a RICE BURNER into our favorite motorsport? Next well see VW Bugs and Fiats at Qualifying, Uh oh, Here comes BMW! Get real people! We are the reason our economy sucks. How many of you idiots drive a rice burner? Why is that? Why not support your american automakers before they sent our jobs to Canada or Mexico. If you want a true american car now, you better check the Hemmings Motor News and locate a Model “T”, because thanks to the us, the so called american public buying those rice burners, we forced the jobs to go away, we forced encouraging import sales, we are forcing other americans to buy the imports, we screwed up our economy and most importantly, we elected the government officials that not only allowed it to happen but made it happen. How many more AMERICANS are we going to send to the unemployment line by purchasing an import vehicle? WAKE UP AMERICA! DEMAND AMERICAN, DEMAND 100% BUILT IN THE USA! If we don’t, we may start seeing Iraqi built vehicles here in the next 10 to 20 years. REMEMBER 9/11? REMEMBER OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN IRAQ? DO WE REALLY WANT TO START IMPORTING IRAQI CARS OR TRUCKS IN THE FUTURE? LET ME EXPLAIN IT THIS WAY. IN 1942 WE WENT TO WAR (WWII) WITH JAPAN AND NOW (AND FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS) WE ARE BUILDING THEIR ECONOMY BY PURCHASING JAPANESE VEHICLES, GIVING THEM TAX CUTS, WHILE OUR ECONOMY GOES TO CRAP BE CAUSE WE HAVE FORCED OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN TO DEPEND ON THE IMPORTS!!! I like Mike and I wish him well, but I will never support a Toyota Team.
Patrick{#27}beat me to the punch about the Iraqis taking over our economy next.The Chinese are already exporting cars to the U.S.,Iraq won’t be far behind!!!!The profits from Toyota sales go back to Japan and help their economy.G.M. and Ford are already closing plants in this country forcing Americans to move to other states to find jobs.
DW probably owns a Toyota dealership,so he makes money from Toyota.
I stopped buying parts at napa,eating at burger king and ordering dominos!!!!!!
#27 you need to stop spouting off about buing only american made stuff. You are using a comp. right. Where was that made? You watch tv right. Where was that made? ECT…. If we americans acually made dependable stuff we would buy it, but the tecnolagy in other contries is way ahead of us so we buy the stuff that works and wont break, which saves us money on repairs or replacement. I agree we should buy american made stuff and support ourselves but it is so hard nowadays to find anything made in the USA.
#27, At least american workers are the ones doing the assembling,which is somewhat better than the Chevys,Fords and Dodges in Mexico and Canada. As much as we all would like to change it back to all American,it will never happen no hard we try. Big business always wins out. Its just like NASCAR going to other countrys to race,big business goes where it wants.
To #29… I don’t believe that America doesn’t make quality cars/parts. Big business moves the jobs out because wages are cheaper in other countries, then America supports them by buying the cars anyway. Big Picture… The Big 3 moves jobs out of the country & is losing money, Toyota moves jobs into the country & their business is booming. I’m not the president of a big car manufacturer, but this seems pretty simple to me.
What happened to orginal question? Will MWR get back into the points race this year or fold up!! I believe he will!! I didn’t know that Steve asked the Question what are your politics??
I agree with Bobby at #7.They are the only MadeinUSA cars on the circuit. I think they need a chance to gel, with DJ there they should. Dale Jarrett is a savvy veteran and he’ll help mold that Toyota team into a contender.Mikie isn’t stupid either. Give them a chance, damn, 2 races does not make a season.
Anyone hear about the latest penalties with Jeff Burton, Mike Bliss & Kevin Lepage?
why dont everyone buy a toyota and lets see what kind of economy we leave our kids and grandkids. soon well have to move to japan to get a job. i here they
pay well.
Some of you talk like you know these drivers and crew chiefs. I don’t think we see the “REAL” person. It’s all for the cameras and the $$$$.
I went to an Auto Parts store one time to see DW. I thought how cool this is going to be. WRONG. He didn’t leave his air-conditioned limo until he had to go in the store. The fans were lined up outside the store in 100deg. humid weather, some for well over an hour. DW never took off his sunglasses and didn’t chat with anyone. He sat there stone faced and signed items “if” they were purchased from his staff. He wouldn’t sign anything else. So you don’t know what you are talking about unless you see them on a daily basis, when the cameras are off and they aren’t getting paid.
Signed,
Don’t make Stockcar Drivers your Heros
If you want 100% American made cars in Nascar you won’t have any cars…
Diversity is the spice of life! NASCAR realizes this and has embraced a foreign competitor. Waltrip will succeed with the Toyota program wether he wins or looses considering the fact that he had the courage to lead a new manufucturer into NASCAR. If he is not successful he will just sell the operations and make more money than all 38 of us who have weighed in. Expecting Toyota to be at the top of the points is a ridculous expectation in the first year. Give them a few years to optimize motor development and they will be stealing a few races. Give them a few more years and they may take the cup.
Wake up big three and smell the competition.
Now lets go drink some bourbon, play the ponies, and dip some Copenhagan and watch this team develope.
I can say this because I grew up in Owensboro KY just two streets from Waltrip. He used to pick me up and we would go race the Green brothers in the hills of Davies County. For those who believe that Michael can’t drive you never road with him in the 442 on the country roads.
Hillbilly I like your point, well taken! Go #55,#44,#00,like I’ve been saying give them at least a chance,and by the way MWR isn’t the only Toyota team everyboby!
Those of you debating the American made points Don’t understand that the Assembled in the USA Toyota came about due to tax tariffs imposed in the late 1980’s. Which caused car builders, gun builders and even tv builders to spawn United States addresses to avoid Import taxes that would not be levied on american made products televisions went home for manufacture because their costs dropped with technology to a point where the tariffs were insignificant. As for the decline of American Jobs, I supervise crewa of 6-25 daily and have to tell you if you would have given 8 hours work for 8 hours pay those jobs would still be in America.
Whats the matter with you guys,we have alot of races left why not give them “ALL” a chance and see what happens.Its a sport and if you dont like whats going on just dont watch it.Lets just watch and have fun, isnt that the idea.
>:}
#27, Thank you. Your comment just goes to show there are a few INTELLIGENT people in this country.
#29 & #30 Think they know it all. I guess you would also cut funds off to our troops in Iraq, Huh? I absolutely refuse to buy a Computer, I use the one at work because I have to and because it is the only means of relating to my brother in Iraq. As for a TV, #29, I have a classic Zenith floor console that belonged to my grandparents. For your information, I drive a Chevrolet Caprice built in Texas. You (#29) did make a good point though, but the problem isn’t if we could make quality items here in the US, because we can. The problem is Corporate America is greedy and constantly filling their pockets while other Americans working for him struggle to make ends meet.
#30 makes a good point too. It won’t ever go back to everything being made in the USA anymore, Unless we as Americans take a stand against Corporate America and the Government, let’s not forget the U.S. Government. This is a Government that gives importers tax breaks, which is probably part of the reason American jobs have left here, Not to mention the cheaper wages that the company which have left here are paying in other countries, and the funny thing is, the items being made elsewhere cost the same as they would if they were made here. So Corporations are saving money on labor and taxes and pocketing the rest.
#29 and #30 and whoever else disagrees with me. I have just one question. Are you part of Corporate America and have never had to worry about your job while your neighbors, family or Friends have had to struggle worrying about how they are going to send their 4 children through College especially after they have already struggled thus far?
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. I say bring back our Jobs get the homeless off the street and make sure the needy children here get the medical help, food and a good education that they need to propel this country into the next 4 to 5 decades. It can be done!
#43, I agree with you 98%. I got on this site to just say I support Mikey in his quest to start a new team as I would anybody trying to do the same. Won’t do it again as the talk gets too carried away from the subject at hand. This is my last message. Just had to let you know I don’t know it all. I am retired,65,Support the troops as I was and am still a US Marine from the 60’s. Get social security, a pension of $29.73 per month,no savings.Have a wife that works at $10.25 per hour. We live payday to payday in an older mobile home. I am out of here,GOD bless you all.
Toyotas are the only cars made in the US, so why would anyone want Chevy or Ford. It took Toyota about 10 races to get up to speed in the truck series, they’ll be there in the end.
EB- Toyota’s ARE put together here in the US with Japan made parts! There is a differance. Some chevy’s and fords are put together in mexico and canada but they are still american companies, profits are american. Dodge? a german company.
over mikes entire career he is soso driver.his claim to fame was his 3 year or so stint at dei.he finally won 3 points paying races and gained some fame.doing napa commercials have put him on the map.he since has taken napa,burger king and other associates with him from dei to bdr and now mwr.if it hadnt been for dale earnhardt,mike would still be a second or third rate driver.
YOU ARE RIGHT BOBBY!! I DIDN’T KNOW THAT THIS WAS A POLILITICAL BLOG! I THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT RACING AND MWR I’VE HAED IT TOO!! OUT OF HERE I’M NOT WRITING ANY MOR EITHER! GO #55,#44,#00!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excuse me but I don’t see where Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and DEI are doing any better, am I missing something here ???
Excuse me If you look at the topic it’s about Waltrip. Waltrip is a new start up team, with a new owner, new cars and a bad start. Dei been around for a while with a bad owner.
As for the points… yes Mike will make it into the top 35 this year with at least 2 of his teams. As for the reat os the crap on this post… Ford, Chevy an Dodge are moving out of the US because the unions convinced Americans workers that they are worth $25.00 an hour to stand on a line and put in the same bolts over and over. Also the work ethic at “American” car companies sucks. I know I’ve witnessed it first hand in a number of plants over the years where as in the Toyota plants they have a 98% perfect attendance rate and each employee works their but off to keep up quality and morale. Last but not least, if the quality of “American cars was up to par with Toyota and their vehicles weren’t ridiculousy overpriced maybe, just maybe they wouldn’t be losing their collective shirts every quarter.
Hey, I have read all the comments on here and I must say everybody has made some good points and some wrong ones. I for one AM A JARRETT FAN and have been supporting Dale ever since he started his career in racing. I have NO PROBLEM w/ him being w/ Toyota, NOR DOES HIS FAMILY. Michael , he may not be the best driver in the world, but is anyone the best as far as driving a vehicle goes??? I’m not… David Reutimann, he’s in a learning era, he’ll probably grow into the sport quite well…As far as the team goes… people , they are NEW! They’re gonna be slow,they are like any batch of chili, ya just gotta give it time to gel and get good. I’m really tired of all the bashing in this sport, no one wants to hear “their” guy/team being called names or being rude to them. They don’t go around saying things about their fans, if they did, they wouldn’t have any, right? So come on people, we are all so much more mature than all this. Ok, so ya don’t like Toyota, or whatever, keep it to yourselves, cause they are here and they aren’t going anywhere. Thank You.
I’m still old enought to remember WWII.I’m a former Marine also. i believe all toyotas should display the flag of the rizzing sun over their pits. I don’t care what the person that refers to himself as DW says where there made, or by who ther made. My mother had three stars hanging in our front windows. SO piss on the Waltrips.
I so agree with Jason, not much else needs said! Some of the other comments in here show exactly how we NASCAR fans got the kind of stereotyping that prompted the comments out of Oregon during discussions on building a track!
I think I found out who the RAT was in Mikey’s pit before the Daytona 500;Larry Carter was named crew chief at MWR and then up and quit in early Jan’07 and now is crew chief for Roush #26 guess where #26 was in the garage?? Right next to the #55!! Hmm.. just wondering! Jack Roush WAR against Toyota What do you think????
Michale Waltrip is a looser. DEI put him in a car that could not loose and Dale Sr. still had to die to secure that idiot a win. But all in all I wish M.W. and Toyota a lousy season and future. They both deserve it.
Toyota doesn’t belong. If our big 3 are struggling it is due to foriegn makers. Yes they build in our country, pay Americans, pay taxes, but where do their profits go? Back Home. To support their own infrastructure. When we can ship as many cars overseas that we allow to be imported and be made here(with overseas parts by the way)then well be closer to an even playing field. Not to mention the restrictions we have on the products we ship overseas. And if anyone is not sure of why our big 3 is struggling, just ask the unions.
Leo you are the LOSER!! you must be shop stewert You answered yourself the unions are the problem today! Uneducated workers making $25 an hour when they shouldn’t be working at macdonlds! Must be a Friday afternoon or Monday morning car that’s why it won’t start!
AMERICAN PRTOECTIONISM!!!! Thats what all the whining is about. I clearly think you rednecks in the states have to start being a little more open to the world. AMERICA is not GOD! Let the Toyotas give it a go. your not a little nervous about getting beatin at your own game are you. Give Mike Waltrip a chance. He is what America should be all about,CHANGE. Try new things! Be innovative, it works. AAAANNNNDDDDD CANADA has lost a lot to America in the free trade area, and is still one of your BIGGEST trading partners. Back to school guys. LOL
I was a DW fan in the early 80s, and decided to start to follow Jr. during DWs final year. Then Mikey started racing for DEI and I found myself a Waltrip fan again. Its hard to see him struggle early, but I bet he makes the top 35 which is something that he didn’t do last year.
I wish you idiots and rednecks would shut your mouths about the made in america crap. I want one of you low class jerks to take apart a new harley davidson, and tell me where the parts are made. Here’s a few. Japan, Korea, China, Canada, Tiawan, and Mexico. They are just “assembled” in america. Better take those Harley mudflaps off your mexican ford pickup.
#61 Ford doesn’t currently build any pickups in Mexico.
Nice effort Waltrip. The only Toyotas that made the field would have been in it if they never took the green flag.
if you stupid rednecks that are bashing mikey, and toyota would have won the civil war, you fat lazy morons would not have anything to complain about. Mikey is great. Toyota is great. you allowed this country to become what it is so shut up.
Capt dunbass, you sure did picked your name right! The only dumbass on here is you! Why are you so stupid in thinking the people that place their opinions about Mikey are rednecks? The north sure was lucky for not having you to fight along with them, other wise they would have lost. Just maybe you need to shut up so we wouldn’t think of you as a Idiot.
let me drive for micheal
let me drive i can drive like the best just let me try
I think Mike needs to work on the management end hire another driver to drive for him. You must remember that Henry Ford was very sucessful and he said “I do not know the answer to that question, but let me get the person that does for you” That where mikey needs to be getting the people that knows the answers and everything will work for that team he has started. My Grampa said “You will never know how sucessful to you until you step out that door and try it. Never live life with what IF.” GO FOR IT Mikey you can do it and will do it.
Michael Waltrip Racing will become a big warehouse full of camry’s if he doesn’t get his act together. Although he would probrably make good car salesman. Stink a fork in Mikey, he is done. The way things are going right now, DJ will be sitting right beside Mikey on the couch on Sundays in a couple of weeks.
I hope that I am wrong but I think bringing in Toyota is a big mistake.We all know that GM,Ford,and Dodge really don’t have the kind of money to play with like Toyota does.I have seen the Japs take over at Indy.They will do the same at Nascar. Does anyonr remember Pearl Harbor???
Hey, 49. They’re MAKING THE RACES!!!
I see alot of good comments,but I think some of you don’t see the big picture! It’s all about the money!! Where does it end up? Either in the Fat Cat’s pocket, or on the other side of the Big Pond!!! KEEP BUYING THOSE $1,000 SEATS!!!
Before the Las Vegas race I thought that Michael Waltrip was a little bit of a whiner but a nice enough guy. Well, that all changed at Vegas. I now see him for who he really is.
As he came walking out of the gates from their motorhome area were maybe 15 people waiting for autographs. Michael comes walking like a bat out of hell, grumbles that he has to keep walking. I can understand that he is a busy guy, but what came out of his mouth next shocked me. He blurted out “dont shove this crap down my throat” as a couple of people asked for autographs and then bumped into them almost knocking them over.
What is frustrating, we met a number of different drivers and owners who were happy to take a few minutes to sign a few autographs. I guess what Michael doesn’t realize is that WE the FANS pay his paycheck every week.
i can’t believe these major sponser’s went with this guy. he struggled last year with the dodge. by mid season they will take their money elsewhere.
Mikey is a really likable guy, but not all that successful as a racer. My guess is that few other drivers would consider a Japanese car in NASCAR which is why Mikey got the gig…no one else would take it. But in the end, he will have the last laugh. There is NO WAY the Japenese engineers will not produce a superior car and driver combination and win the heck out of NASCAR. Plus they have money (ours) and nothing but time. Japanese industrialists think way ahead. BTW, I will never ever ever own a Japanese car. I’m a child of WWII, and I remember.
I don’t understand all the whining about Toyota… If and when Ford or Chey build a car as reliable as a Toyota they may actually make a profit. Buying anything just because it’s “american” makes no sense!! I wish MWR alot of luck. It will take time but Toyota will be a winner in NASCAR.
It’s Funny reading all the comments about what is a American Car. It really ticks me off to keep hearing how NASCAR should only be for “American” Cars.
I worked for almost 20 years at the GM Baltimore Plant building the Astros and Safaris. We were very proud of what we built but everyone knew it was just a matter of time. The design was very old and so was the plant. My Granpa worked there after WW2. Everyday we would see problems with the assembly and report them but the bosses didnt care. All they said was “the Dealer will fix it” or “Doesnt matter KEEP MOVING”. We were always treated like dirt and “Union Scum” by the bosses. Anyways after losing my job we moved to Evansville Indiana for a job oppourtunity for my wife and I got a job at the Toyota Plant in Princton building the Tundras and Sequoias. Talk about a difference, They really care about making a good vehicle. If anything wrong is found wrong on the line a bunch of engineers swarm down and address the problem right away. they know its cheaper in the long run to do it right from the start.Lower Warranty costs, More repeat customers, Higher profits per car.
Over 4500 Americans have good jobs here because of Toyota and so do over 30,000 across the country. Thousands more have jobs at suppliers which are almost all American. I’ve never been treated better at a job in my life. Toyota has a wierd idea, Treat people with respect and if they’re happy in they’re jobs, They’ll do a better job.
What is a “American” car know anyways, A Dodge (German Company) Built in Mexico ? A Ford Built in Mexico or Canada ? A GM Built in Korea, Canada or Mexico ? A Honda Built in Ohio ? A Nissan built in Tennesee ? A Toyota built here in Indiana ?
The lines are very blurred now, I’ve NEVER driven anything but a American Made car, That is a Car BUILT in the USA with American Hands, Supporting American Families. And Yes I drive a Toyota, A American Made Tundra. My Wife drives a American Made Camray. If you want to see something interesting, Look at the employee parking lot at a assembly plant.over 50% of the cars at “American” plants are “Jap” cars, Over 90% of the cars at Toyota plants I’ve been to are Toyotas.
Next time you buy a vehicle look at where it is built on the door sticker, Not just at the nameplate and buy American and keep the Jobs here.
Sorry to Ramble on but I just needed to get this off my chest.
Go Team Toyota !!!!
Well — Mikey is a very smart guy — He has a great personally to boot — My wife really likes him better thank myself so to speak . Just remember the definition of SUCESS– Try one more time after a failure!! Keep on doing the next right thing Mikey !
Michael keep on doing what you are doing brand new team it will come to you got back to the basics you will excell iwish i could help in some way im disabled any ways dont get down it will come good luck Lynn
Robby Gordon had it right about Waltrip a couple of years ago at Poenix. Does anyone remember last year? He did equally as bad driving a Dodge.Even though Waltrip has found a small amount of success, he is not good enough to own/drive anyone’s race car. The only reason that Waltrip has won anything is because of Dale Earnhardt. It’s common sense. It is not the driver most of the time, it’s the car. So, does anyone think that Waltrip will have success in a car(Toyota) that is equally as bad as him and should not be in NASCAR in the first place? Did you know that the president of NASCAR drives a Lexus which is made by Toyota? That will just make you think whos wrapped around who’s finger. If Waltrip wants to enjoy his “so called” success again then he should switch back to Chevrolet and not drive a car.
I am a foreign-born rice eater. I was a fan of NASCAR before restrictor plate was used at Daytona. Chevy and Ford had a rivalry. MBZ took Dodge back into NASCAR. Toyota wants to sell more products, especially big trucks, to americans. NASCAR is the thing that gets to middle americans.
Michael is doing what is best for him and the people he’s with. The death of Dale Sr. left Michael without a friend at DEI. Michael’s winning car team was given to Dale Jr who mocked it up. Then Michael’s team became a test bed. Michael went to Bill Davis Racing and at the time when Davis was switching over to Toyota. Davis has his reasons. Michael saw an opportunity to start a race team with strong commitment from Toyota. Toyota was super supportive of Michael because they know something. Toyota is very conservative. For them to support MWR start-up teams, there’s something to be said about Michael. Enough about NASCAR politics.
Michael qualified on time to race at Daytona. Not bad for a racer in a brand new make. I hope Michael shows up every week and race his way into the starting line-up. Go or go-home, he’ll have proven himself a great leader and one heck of a determined driver. BTW, Michael is as American as one gets. I like him. I look forward to following his racing prowess. He’ll erase that 100 point penalty and set up for a great finish. Toyota supports Americans like Michael when the US own brands are abandoning them by the dozens.
You know I’m tired of hearng people put Mikey down. If you can do so much better yuou try it. He is doing the best he can with the limited resources he has. Also it is a new adventure for him. He will do better. Give him a chance
I don’t think it matters how long I’ve been a Mikey fan,but none the less I am.If the Old Man saw talent and potential in Waltrip,then that’s good enough for me, and if you don’t understand that then go and cry in your #24 beer mug.And since I’m here I’ve got a bit of information for SOME American NASCAR fans. I am a Canadian, and to label us in a way of being some far off distant country that YOUR American cars are being built in proves that you suffer from tunnel vision. For those of you that aren’t aware,do you know who your largest trading partner is? Yeah,you guessed it.Did you also know that Canada geografically seperates Alaska from your other 48 states? Our cultures are almost identical.We eat the same foods,we watch the same network programing,we listen to the same musical talents, we share the same passions for SS’s,Hemis, Cobras,Harleys,Winchesters,etc. We hated Saddam Hussian and want Bin Laden strung up.So for those of you that need a proctologist to get your head out of wherever it might be,you should take a little trip north of the 49th parallel and see for yourself the Junior, Stewart,Gordon,Bush apperal that we wear and look at the rear bumpers of our cars and trucks and see who we cheer for on Sundays.And about us having a few auto plants. Populationwise,we’re 1/10 the size of the US. Since we drive the same vehicles,why is it some feel it SO wrong for us to build some. Hope to see you soon.
Some of you forgot that we seem to have been forced to go global. You have to look at where the investors are from!!! We can’t just give up ! I know it’s a bitter sweet thing, but it would be like giving up on our own child!!! And by the way, He never did,does or will be able to drive. As far as I’m concerned their all traitors!! I hope none of them qualify next week!!!
You guys all keep saying that the only reason Mikey won races is big E you all forget how mikey got the job at dei Dale told him he was a good driver and would win races in his cars and look what happened he won races how many other guys in nascar have won more than 1 daytona 500 he can drive he just has bad luck
Anyone who claims to be a Mikey fan must not have a life. To show support for a grown man who goes by Mikey pretty much sums it up. He has averages a win every 6 years, if withs DEI, his claim to fame is 2 Daytonas, with DEI, one in which Jr and Big E pushed him to victory and Big E losing his life. The other was a rain out in which he stole a in with nearly half the race left. He is a joke, maybe thats why he plays the goof, it fits. He has played off his brothers name and his time with DEI. He thought he could cheat his way in, starting at Daytona with a super fuel blend, of which Nascar is too ashamed to even reveal to the fans exactly what he did. He built his cars around this fuel blend and engineered them for it, why do you think hes having to re-engineer his program now and has not qualified on time to date. He is a phoney and plays off of simple minded people. I hope he reads this, his success greatly outweighs his accomplishments. I laugh everytime I see him run about with his daughter bouncing her on his arm for show, mikey, should we start spelling it monkey??? or is that his fans?
He should talked to Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott about this ownership deal. Remember they both bailed on the pressures of ownership. Mikey’s likely to pull his hair out over this mess. His always a been a great spokesman for his sponsors, but you can’t deliver napa auto parts from the peanut gallery.
Man, some of you guy are hard on ol’ Mike. I know we won’t be seeing him go for a series title probably ever, but 4 cup wins with 38 T5s, 11 Busch wins with 59 T5s isn’t all that bad. One of only 8 drivers to have 2 Daytona wins, and a win is a win (ask Kasey Kahne about Michican last year). Dale Sr. would have had guys knocking down his door for a chance to get in one of his cars, but he chose MW. How many of you guys did Dale Sr. call? Now if one of the best ever to drive a race car could give him a chance I wonder why others are so glad to see him off to a bad start this year.
I do drive nothing but American made vehicles I drive a 2007 Chevrolet 2500 HD Silverado and my Wife drives a 2005 Chevrolet both of which are built buy American hands in American plants owned and opperated by American companys. I don’t give a damn if All Toyotas are built in America, I will never own one because the largest portion of that money goes out of this country back to Japan. Toyotas aren’t built better than Fords or Chevrolets. People just think they are because they have been brainwashed by the constant bombardment of comertials that Toyota fires at us. The idea of people drving forign made automobiles and standing up for them over an American made ones simply because they make some of them here in the United States sickens me. While some of the Chevrolet and Ford automobiles we drive are made in Canada or Mexico, that is still no excuse not to buy them afterall they are car lines that are owned by American Corporations. Toyota in NASCAR…well that just plain sucks in my book. I will never root for a Toyota, or any other forign make of car to win as long as I watch this sport.
I dont know why so many people like to bash you and your teams. people who watchs races have no ideal how what gos into setting up a car.Toy. was agreat truck to the truck races.oh yeah job to David last sat. i just wish people knew what it took to make a car and handle any ways good luck. Just a fan
NASCAR is a cookie cutter car series at any level. Only thing Toyota, is the motor and the hood ornament. Mike is a driver, not Hendrick, Childress, Penske, Everham. Toyota has been successful in all forms of motor racing, but to hang their reputation on the achievements of a couple aging wheel men didn’t seem smart for Toyota USA
Add to mikeys list of great accomplishments hit and run way to go buddy. Police couldnt find him till afternoon of the next day bet he had a few too many at the pub that night drinking away his sorrows!
Did you hear the Mike has a new sponsor? Geico, they insure his race car but not his personal car!
I am and will always will be a Michael fan I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Tradin Paint show in Las Vegas he was great you go Mikey! I will be your fan forever you will get through all of this and the sun will shine again
MIKEY SHOULD BE DRIVING TOURING CARS IN JAPAN. MAYBE THEN HE COULD MAKE RACES…..MAYBE. AS FOR DJ, THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED HIS BUTT WAS CHAMPION PROVISIONALS. I BET HE WISHES HE HAD SOME YATES POWER ABOUT NOW. SERVES THEM BOTH RIGHT…….TRAITORS.
Frankly Iam sick of all the bashing why dont you all try walking in Michaels shoes just for amoment before you sit in judgment. All I can say is when you point fingers four are pointing back at you.Maybe your so quick to pass judgment because it is easy to kick someone when they are down.Michael made my daughters day at the Las Vegas Race and we will always remember that.So say what you will I am his fan and will be good&bad.And I can not wait for the day when you all eat your nasty words.
Just want to say we love you Mikey and look foward to seeing on the track soon! And thank goodness your ok.I wonder if all the Michael bashers even know what they are talking about ? DO they know you? Are they In your shoes? I doubt it! Any way who really cares what they say . You have your loyal fans and your family to see you through this rough spot and I pray every day for your turn to show them all just what your team really is about!
Yea Mike is lucky not every day you pull off a DUI wreck and dont get arrested!
Hi again everybody like to kick a person when ther down. like ive said basics then you can move forward call me im sure in my 35 years of racing of stock cars mods. supermods at oswego ny. ive taken last place cars and told the drivers a win in feater or no less than a top 5. and i think on your teams i could help ive wanted to get in nascar for the last 15 year i broke my neck in a tractor trailer jan of 93 so igot lots of time to donate give me acall im not looking toget rich i want help waltrip racing get on top where they belong Just a waltrip fan lets gether done im home all the time i wanta help siserly Lynn
Hi again everybody like to kick a person when ther down. like ive said basics then you can move forward call me im sure in my 35 years of racing of stock cars mods. supermods at oswego ny. ive taken last place cars and told the drivers a win in feater or no less than a top 5. and i think on your teams i could help ive wanted to get in nascar for the last 15 year i broke my neck in a tractor trailer jan of 93 so igot lots of time to donate give me acall im not looking toget rich i want help waltrip racing get on top where they belong Just a waltrip fan lets gether done im home all the time i wanta help siserly Lynn
some of you people are really disturbing to me, I mean really talking about how uneducated america is making $25 an hr, while I have noticed that these same people can’t spell the word “lose”, or “Michael”. Look, America was founded on free enterprise, Toyota has a right to be in NASCAR just like the rest of them. The self centered jerks who sit there and say not in my backyard are the people who are making this land suffer. we are free and will continue to be so. Stop being so self indulged people, cause if it wasn’t for companies like Toyota, we’d be in a bigger heap of crap thanks to friggin Clinton and NAFTA so shut up and deal with it, whiners!
Hank,I think your out of touch!!! We won’t be free much longer if people have your mentality!!! Just sit back and we’ll do all the whining!!!
Amarican Fan,
Toyotas may be designed in Japan, and the company may be a Japanese company, but guess where they are made? I don’t know about where you live, but the ones in California are built by highly skilled Californian auto-workers at the NUMMI
(that’s New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated) plant in Fremont, California. Since you can’t even spell “American”, you probably don’t know anything about that…
Chris,
I would love to walk in Michael Walt rip’s shoes. He is making huge amounts of money just like every other driver in NASCAR, and he hasn’t qualified for a race all year. I would trade places with him in a heartbeat!
Hank,
Thanks to George w. Bush and company, we are in the biggest heap of crap our country has ever known. And we will be buried in it for decades. George W. Bush took the largest surplus in American history and turned it into the largest deficit in American history. And all the companies in the world can’t fix that. Specially when most of the bigger companies are like Enron, and their “Every Non-Republican Owns Nothing” ways.
There are these places in almost every city and town in this country. Even the smallest, poorest towns have them. Their called schools. You should go to one and get an education. Because stupidity costs too much.
Send me all your un-used MWR hats,shirts, ect. He’s the man. Wouldyou give up on your fav. football
team just because of a bad season? Keep the faith, Michael…
Money talks and TOYOTA want resuls that they are NOT getting. If history repests, Say good-bye to NAPA and Toyota. Michael bit off more that he could chew in this year of transition!
I still have my NAPA leather jacket and still watch Mike, but the smile and humor he had is gone, his family he was always with, is gone, your not racing well at all, time to get out of the car and be an owner, or a driver, or the TV booth, you can only do one of these well, I’ll always be a fan of yours but it’s tough to see you go down hill FAST.