Development Program For Waltrip

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Eagle1

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Insider Racing News


Michael Waltrip Racing introduces the formation of a driver development program. The Sherrills Ford, N.C. based team, which already fields winning NASCAR Busch Series cars and competitive NEXTEL Cup cars with experienced drivers, will now field cars in the American Speed Association (ASA). They will compete in a limited number of events in late 2004 with plans to field a two-car team for the entire 2005 schedule. “The fact that we have limited schedules in different series enables us to test all the waters,” explained Director of Competition Joe Garone. “We feel like we have a real grasp on what it takes to be competitive on any level. Our focus is not a specific series, but a program built on nurturing a driver from all aspects including performance, relationship building and media savvy.”

“The emphasis has to be on performance,” car owner Michael Waltrip said. “It is necessary to win to be successful in any type of racing. It is also it’s important to develop all the elements necessary to be a winning driver.” MWR will begin testing with several drivers this summer, and is talking with current ASA and NASCAR competitors about coaching the new talent during these tests. “We have our eyes on a lot of guys we think have potential to be the next NASCAR star,” said Waltrip. “With the experienced people we have in place at MWR, we feel like we have the perfect opportunity to develop that talent. Between my years of driving race cars and representing sponsors and Joe Garone’s and Jerry Baxter’s (current Busch Series crew chief) expertise in building winning race cars, the rewards of developing young talent are obvious.”(6-18-04)
 
I figured Mikey would do this sooner or later, say what you will about him, but he is a good business man and will have a decent Cup team within a few years. :)
 
Sounds to me like he sees some handwriting on the wall at DEI.

I still don't see how a career also-ran who signs on as a blocker for the Crown Prince would have a whole lot to teach anybody. He's got, what, less than a handful of wins all on plate tracks in well over 20 years behind the wheel at this level. Some of that time was in inferior equipment, but not all of it by any means.

Maybe his venture will produce a winning Cup driver someday. But let's face it, Bill Elliott has done more for Kasey Kahne than Michael Waltrip is likely to ever do for anybody. JMO, take it and run with it.
 
Good point about Bill, but then again Mikey has about 50 times the market value,which in this day and and age equals a lot of sponsor money! ;)
 
So you have to have been a winning driver in order to coach and develop a winning driver?

Somehow I don't think that's very accurate.
 
Oh, if he drove a Ford, it would be a different story...I assure you.
 
Originally posted by esorlxaw@Jun 18 2004, 09:20 PM
Oh, if he drove a Ford, it would be a different story...I assure you.
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Not true pal. Mikey has driven Fords in his career. I didn't think he was anything special then either.

And this mind reading ability you have developed is fascinating. May I ask where one obtains that gift?

As to wining and teaching ability, I'd rather be tutored by Jeff Gordon than Joe Nemechek. But to each his/her own.
 
Sorry, but I get this nightmarish picture of hundreds of
look-alike-Mikeys with unruly shocks of black hair and big mouths with
an ego to match!!!!! And I shudder!!!!!!!!!
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Not true pal. Mikey has driven Fords in his career. I didn't think he was anything special then either.
Click to expand...

How can you possibly say that? He was, what?, 0-432 before he joined DEI. Obviously he has all of the tools. Or, is it he is a tool? I forget... :huh:
 
Originally posted by TonyB@Jun 18 2004, 07:00 PM
So you have to have been a winning driver in order to coach and develop a winning driver?

Somehow I don't think that's very accurate.
Click to expand...
In most other sports it actually is the opposite. The person with the great talent is not able to coach afterward. They don't understand how the lesser person can not do things that just come naturally. Where the lesser athletically talented player often had to study film and use fundamentals and mental smarts to hang around. They are more apt to transfer that to there prodigy.


I can think of a lot of less qualified guys than Nemechek. Nemco is a highly regarded busch team and you don't get to drive for Hendrick if you are not good. Nemechek is also able to drive many different types of tracks including road courses.
 
i guess that starting a developmental program is for "life after the drivers seat"
 
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