Michael Waltrip to leave DEI next year

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UaraRacer

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Just got word from my inside sources the MW declined a contract extension with DEI. Makes you wonder where he's going to move on to. From what I hear, he might be taking a look at the #6 for a year until Jamie Mcmurray will take over. Pretty interesting if you ask me....
 
UaraRacer said:
Just got word from my inside sources the MW declined a contract extension with DEI. Makes you wonder where he's going to move on to. From what I hear, he might be taking a look at the #6 for a year until Jamie Mcmurray will take over. Pretty interesting if you ask me....
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I'd have a hard time believing that he'd turn down a DEI ride to take a ride that is only going to be open for a year.
 
Well IMO, Id just have a hard time seeing that he would take a ride for one year but Id say it is pretty reasonable that he is turning down more time with DEI. Who know's where he will go, there seems to be alot of movement already being talked when the season ends.
 
wow...kinda surprised on that one....oh well..no big deal....just wonder who DEI will put in the 15 if napa chooses to stay
 
i just thought the same thing....he would be a good fit...but does Gibbs release him? he's signed through 08
 
LOUDON, N.H. - Michael Waltrip will not be back with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2006.
Waltrip and the team announced Friday that they will part ways following this season. Waltrip has driven the No. 15 Chevrolets for DEI since 2001, winning four races including the 2001 and 2003 Daytona 500s.

"Dale and Teresa gave me an opportunity with a winning organization that I have been proud to be an integral part of for the last five years," Waltrip said. "My professional relationship with DEI is ending, but my personal relationships have ties that are deep-rooted. Therefore, my ecision to leave DEI is a difficult one. Our individual visions for the future are taking different courses, but our goals are the same - to be successful in the premier division of NASCAR."

Sources in the NASCAR garage indicate that Waltrip is working on a deal to drive for Hass CNC Racing next year. That team fields the No. 0 Chevrolets that Mike Bliss now drives. Sources say NAPA, which has been Waltrip's sponsor, could go with him, leaving DEI with the No. 8 Chevrolets driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 1 Chevrolets driven by Martin Truex Jr., who will move up from Busch to Nextel Cup in 2006.

"All of us at DEI want to thank Michael for all his contributions to our organization and wish him well as he moves on in his career," said Richie Gilmore, DEI's Vice President of Motorsports.
 
bowtie said:
LOUDON, N.H. - Michael Waltrip will not be back with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2006.
Waltrip and the team announced Friday that they will part ways following this season. Waltrip has driven the No. 15 Chevrolets for DEI since 2001, winning four races including the 2001 and 2003 Daytona 500s.

"Dale and Teresa gave me an opportunity with a winning organization that I have been proud to be an integral part of for the last five years," Waltrip said. "My professional relationship with DEI is ending, but my personal relationships have ties that are deep-rooted. Therefore, my ecision to leave DEI is a difficult one. Our individual visions for the future are taking different courses, but our goals are the same - to be successful in the premier division of NASCAR."

Sources in the NASCAR garage indicate that Waltrip is working on a deal to drive for Hass CNC Racing next year. That team fields the No. 0 Chevrolets that Mike Bliss now drives. Sources say NAPA, which has been Waltrip's sponsor, could go with him, leaving DEI with the No. 8 Chevrolets driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 1 Chevrolets driven by Martin Truex Jr., who will move up from Busch to Nextel Cup in 2006.

"All of us at DEI want to thank Michael for all his contributions to our organization and wish him well as he moves on in his career," said Richie Gilmore, DEI's Vice President of Motorsports.
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God, I hope not! The last thing Mikey needs to do is get in a subpar ride, remember Ward!
 
Vern Demerest said:
God, I hope not! The last thing Mikey needs to do is get in a subpar ride, remember Ward!
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Exactly what I was thinking!!!
 
Mikey, Mikey, Mikey :eek: what are you thinking :confused: Are things really THAT bad at FEI?
I wonder who'se decision this was? :lurk:
 
Seems to me that I read some time ago that DEI had no intention of renewing his contract unless he made in the top ten. Anyone else?
 
bumpzter said:
Seems to me that I read some time ago that DEI had no intention of renewing his contract unless he made in the top ten. Anyone else?
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The way I understand it, bump, DEI and Michael had been in negotiations since May to extend his contract through at least next year. Michael may have wanted a guarantee for more than DEI was willing to go.
 
Seems to me that I read some time ago that DEI had no intention of renewing his contract unless he made in the top ten. Anyone else?
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i remember that...but i think DEI was going to keep him because he was really making an improvement this year...has just had some bad luck at some places......from how i read the statement it appears that he wants to leave, not that the team is letting him go.
 
I would really like to see him go back to the Pettys. He's doing better than what they have. And, he would fit in well there.
 
word has it that he might go to Haas CNC racing....dont know if that would be for the 0 car or as a teammate...and Napa may go with him.
 
PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT FOR TODAY!

"We just had a little bit of trouble trying to figure out what 2006 was going to look like - with Martin (Truex Jr.) coming up to Cup - and the commitment that was made there. We were back and forth about whether Mike was staying or going and what might happen. The performance that the No. 15 car has enjoyed this year up until the last couple of weeks has put everybody so optimistic and in such a good place mentally thinking that we're doing a lot of smart things at DEI to bring this team back to where we know it belongs and that's on top. The growth that we've made in a short period of time has been encouraging for me. I wanted to drive for (crew chief) Tony (Eury Jr.) for the rest of my life. I really enjoyed the group he put around me and the job he did for me. But it could really be put into place what 2006 was going to look like. So we just decided as a group it would be smarter for us just to do something else at this point.
"I feel really good about the decision. I'm real thankful for NAPA and my other sponsors that have fielded this team for me. And I'm so happy about getting with Tony Jr. this year because of the way I performed and the job that we've been able to do. I've got a lot of options for 2006. I thought I would drive this car for the rest of my career. I knew if that was the case that I'd be winning races and doing all the things I'm supposed to do. It's sad to say that I'm not going to be at DEI any more, but I'm really proud of winning some races for the team that Dale (Earnhardt) picked me to drive for.
There are some things in the works. I'm sure by making this announcement today will probably complicate that a little bit more before it comes clear. I'm just looking forward to getting into the best situation possible."
 
UaraRacer said:
Just got word from my inside sources the MW declined a contract extension with DEI. Makes you wonder where he's going to move on to. From what I hear, he might be taking a look at the #6 for a year until Jamie Mcmurray will take over. Pretty interesting if you ask me....
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No way will Waltrip ever be in the 6. He couldn't get in the 6 if he snuck in the hauler.
 
The only reason Waltrip ever got in the 15 was because of Dale Sr.
The only reason he ever won a plate race was because of the DEI plate program that was implemented by Sr.
I'm thinking Mikey's career and stats have already seen thier best days.
 
The only reason Waltrip ever got in the 15 was because of Dale Sr.
The only reason he ever won a plate race was because of the DEI plate program that was implemented by Sr.
I'm thinking Mikey's career and stats have already seen thier best days.
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hate to say it...but i agree with you...i think him leaving DEI is a mistake.
 
BobbyFord said:
I'm thinking Mikey's career and stats have already seen thier best days.
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First of many small steps towards the announcer's booth.
 
Guido, I have to agree with you here, but it may not be enough. I'm afraid that Mikey actually believes that he's a top notch driver, though he's got what, 4 wins, all on the same type of track. I'd say that he ought to think about extending his carreer in the truck series where he might even have a chance at a title.
 
I don't think DEI will put Manard in the 15 next season. They already have Martin Truex, Jr coming up to get in the 1 car. Why would DEI want two rookies at the same time when they are trying to expand to a three car organization? DEI, like all team owners, is in the business of running for Championships and winning races.........not training grounds for rookie Cup drivers! :rolleyes: It could make a deal for a sponsor on the 1 car should NAPA decide to stick with DEI..........which I personally think they probably will. Micheal is a mediocre driver at best.........not like Jeff Gordon who has a track record or Dale Earnhardt, Jr who has a name. NAPA wants exposure for their dollars.........they got that with Mikey. But only because Mikey drove a DEI car. And DEI is a big name in NASCAR.
 
Yeah, but Mikey had a mouth that couldn't open without saying NAPA......I bet NAPA goes with him.
 
Yeah, but Mikey had a mouth that couldn't open without saying NAPA......I bet NAPA goes with him.
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its a mistake if they do...MW didnt get popular until he drove for DEI...i bet you wont see him in nearly as many commericals next year.
 
Waltrip is a bit of a Media whore and I think the reason he's leaving is because he may get stuck in the third car that even a decent driver can't do anything with. He'll most likely be in the booth in a couple of years anyway.

But I guess we all should remember that he - like a lot of other drivers - does a fair bit for charity.
 
Even if he never drives a Cup car again, he won't starve. Full time Busch ride in his own car. Team owner. Maybe Kenny Wallace's boss? Kenney sure suck up to him a lot. :p More annoying commercials for Aarons with DW. Trucks. As owner, announcer, maybe driver.

If fact, I'd like to see him get back to his old genuine funny ways. Drop all that smooth, know-it-all BS. Like before he became a Cup 'Star'. He was a riot back then.
 
fergy1370 said:
Yeah, but Mikey had a mouth that couldn't open without saying NAPA......I bet NAPA goes with him.
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Nope, they aren't. My husband works for the City of Fort Worth (Texas) in their Equipment Services Division. Napa is their parts supplier and a couple of the local 'big' bosses said that if Mikey didn't give them more bang for their buck on the RACETRACK, that they were thru after this year. Now as for being completely out of racing, I'm not sure. As for being the sponsor of Mikey, they are done. Don't get me wrong, they LIKE Mikey and his personality, but they wanted to be at least in the top 10 this year.
 
Mikey's going to the #6 car until 2007...when Toyota comes in... :) :)
 
mark said before the race that he's coming back for an encore next season until jamie gets there
 
u ar right bobby ford. waltrip will never be in the 6 cause he dont like fords. and he doesnt know how to help a winning team
 
hey if mikiey leaves d.e.i next year than he doesnt no how big of a mistake he is making. espically since truex jr. will be there next year. cause he is going to woop everyones ass next year
 
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