Michael Waltrip Sears Point Preview

Michael Waltrip hoping for road course rebound at Sears Point

HARRISBURG, N.C. (June 22, 1999) - During a 34-race season, it is an unfortunate reality that a driver will have a run of bad luck at one point or another. Philips Chevrolet driver Michael Waltrip is hoping that after his third "DNF" in four weeks, he can look ahead to better days.

The first of those "better days" could come this Sunday at Sears Point Raceway, where Waltrip has quietly posted solid career numbers during the road course's 10 year existence on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule.

Michael Waltrip at Sears Point...

Starts:  10
Top 5s:  0
Top 10s:  5
Top 15s:  6
Ave. start:  15.30
Ave. finish:  16.10
Winnings:  $178,740
Best start:  6th ('97)
Best finish:  7th('97)
1998:  34th

Michael Waltrip on...

...how he became a good road racer:

"Go-karts probably. That's how I started racing. They gave me a really good understanding of road racing and the lines you needed to take before I ever drove a car. Then, I just had to master the skills that it took to drive a car as opposed to a go-kart. I've just always been really comfortable with it and have always enjoyed it, and am glad it's part of the schedule."

...the importance of road courses as a part of the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule:

"I think we need them more for the race fans than we do for the diversity of the schedule. I think running mile-and-a-half tri-ovals every weekend would get a little boring. Sears Point and Watkins Glen are certainly places on the schedule that need to be there in order to keep things spiced-up. Variety is very important to what we do. NASCAR is very smart. They've never varied too far from what got them to where they are today, and I don't believe they'll get away from road racing, either."