Waltrip fails to make the Coke 600...buying Cope ride to run race:

[BobbyFord]

#55-Michael Waltrip’s string of 261 consecutive Cup appeared to come to a halt Thursday night, when he failed to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600, turning in a dreadfully slow qualifying lap more than 8 mph off the pole speed. He last failed to qualify for a Cup race in Oct. 1998 at Phoenix. But he apparently will purchase a starting spot from #74-Derrike Cope, with details expected to be announced later.(Speed Channel)
AND Michael Waltrip's consecutive start streak of 261 races will get to 262. Waltrip's Waltrip-Jasper Racing has bought the ride of the #74 McGlynn Racing Dodge and driver Derrike Cope for the Coca-Cola 600, according to a Waltrip team spokesman. The car will have the NAPA logo on the car and might carry the #55. The owner points goes to McGlynn and not to Waltrip, whose team sits 36th in owner points and likely will drop following the race. Waltrip likely will put a new engine in the car but must use the car Cope qualified in the event. Waltrip ranks sixth in consecutive starts among NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers [see list on my stats page].(SceneDaily.com)(5-26-2006)

What's the difference? Two drivers with equally impressive stats.

 

[This Buds For Me]

laughed my ass off when i saw that.....he's gonna miss more races this year

 

[Mopardh9]

Yeh so what...he is building this team for next year, missing races will hurt him, but the big picture is still Toyota.

 

[Whizzer]

Do you think Toyota has a backup plan for next year ??????
Do ya think maybe Toyota will start the season with Terrry Labonte or Bill Elliott in the seat for the champion provisional until owner points are set ??

Interesting thing is, despite all the bark and bullsh!t from "Mikey" Waltrip, talk is what sells cars and trucks but at this juncture, qualifying's gotta be good for something 'cause if ya ain't in the race.............................

This is not a good view of the future for Toyota.
Dale Jarrett might be past his prime, a place "Mikey" never reached as his record indicates he has never been anything but a mediocre driver.
Granted Waltrip has two Daytona 500's in the bank but if Toyota wants results they might consider "Mikey" in the broadcast booth and let someone with talent other than "open mouth and talk" syndrome, perform driver duties.

Just my thoughts but what the heck. Differ if you care to.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

Personally, I'm rather glad Mikey bought Cope's ride --- mainly because FOX would probably have found innumerable ways to inflict him on us during all the broadcasting this weekend.

For me, Mikey in a car is infinitely preferable to Mikey with a mike.

 

[barelypure]

Besides what was Cope going to do? Run a few dozen laps and then go park the thing. He is quickly becoming the new Morgan Shepherd. Mikey will at least try to go the distance.

 

[Whizzer]

For me, Mikey in a car is infinitely preferable to Mikey with a mike.

Whatta great line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go girl !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eagle1]

Michael has NEVER won a race that an Earnhardt didn't either clear they way (96 All-Star race) or block and push.

 

[Mopardh9]

Well i have been very opinionated about this entire subject in the last few weeks , so i see no reason to change now. Here is my take. Mikey had this entire Toyota deal in the works a lot longer than most people realize. It all started when DW bought the truck team, which is now doing pretty darn good. The plan for Toyota was and still is to be a force in Cup. Toyota is the number one selling car in America for a reason, they know what they are doing. Getting Mikey on board was a good move, he is a great showman, a decent racer ( probably one of the better plate guys out there outside of Jr.), and a sponsors' dream. What better guy to bring Toyota attention in Nascar? He has DJ on board, Bill Elliot in the wings if he needs him, and possibly a young gun like Casey Mears lined up for a 3rd team. He is aligning his ducks all in a row. I've seen a lot of negative comments , not only here, but on other boards and bloggs about his involvement with Toyota and his recruitment of DJ. If Mikey is one thing he is a good businessman. I will stick with my prediction that his team will get a win next year with DJ behind the wheel. Not only that, when Mikey retires his involvement in Nascar will continue and be a plus for the sport.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

Great post, Mopar. I may not like to listen to Mikey, but you have to admit, he does put on a great show --- and showmanship sells.

 

[D.E.I Fan]

I think it is halirraus that he didnt make the race. I dont care if he bought the ride to race this weekend or not. But I defintly think that he is one of the 3 drivers that should retire very soon.

Did he buy it for good or just this weekend.

 

[This Buds For Me]

Well i have been very opinionated about this entire subject in the last few weeks , so i see no reason to change now. Here is my take. Mikey had this entire Toyota deal in the works a lot longer than most people realize. It all started when DW bought the truck team, which is now doing pretty darn good. The plan for Toyota was and still is to be a force in Cup. Toyota is the number one selling car in America for a reason, they know what they are doing. Getting Mikey on board was a good move, he is a great showman, a decent racer ( probably one of the better plate guys out there outside of Jr.), and a sponsors' dream. What better guy to bring Toyota attention in Nascar? He has DJ on board, Bill Elliot in the wings if he needs him, and possibly a young gun like Casey Mears lined up for a 3rd team. He is aligning his ducks all in a row. I've seen a lot of negative comments , not only here, but on other boards and bloggs about his involvement with Toyota and his recruitment of DJ. If Mikey is one thing he is a good businessman. I will stick with my prediction that his team will get a win next year with DJ behind the wheel. Not only that, when Mikey retires his involvement in Nascar will continue and be a plus for the sport.

but here's the most important thing....who cares or pulls for mikey anymore? the huge fan base he used to have...me included....stayed with DEI when he left them....he's a sponser whore when he gets on tv and most people are annoyed with that....i personally think NAPA made a mistake by leaving DEI...their car didnt even make the race this weekend so the car they sponsor had to buy their way into the race.....meanwhile...put a young driver like Truex Jr behind the 15 Napa ride and look out...big mistake on Napa's part...Waltrip lost a TON of fans when he left DEI.

 

[Bucky Badger]

meanwhile...put a young driver like Truex Jr behind the 15 Napa ride and look out...big mistake on Napa's part...Waltrip lost a TON of fans when he left DEI.

Mabey if Truex had a little personality it would have happened...He not a good spokesperson, and for some reason his car gets hardly any air time.

 

[BobbyFord]

Toyota hired MW for his mouth, not his driving ability.
Average career finish 21.3

 

[TexasRaceLady]

Mabey if Truex had a little personality it would have happened...He not a good spokesperson, and for some reason his car gets hardly any air time.

At times I have to agree, Bucky. Martin is sometimes too laid back and quiet. But, personally, I'll take that over Mikey any day.

 

[kat2220]

At times I have to agree, Bucky. Martin is sometimes too laid back and quiet. But, personally, I'll take that over Mikey any day.

Laid back, TRL? Personally, I think he's abrasive when he opens his mouth and I don't much care for his personality.
How he does in the future will probably make a difference.

Mikey (JMO) is an entertaining, mediocre driver, BUT as a media persona, he drives me NUTS! and I'd rather listen to DW! (KAT HIDES)

 

[SlowNeasy]

Waltrip lost a TON of fans when he left DEI.

Personaly I like a driver because of who he is, not who he drives for. I can't stand Jack Rausch but like most of his drivers. I even like Kurt Busch better than Rousch <g> Team Loyalty...right. Owners (in general) will cut a driver loose in a heartbeat but drivers are suppose to remain loyal? In their dreams maybe.

I don't like the idea of Mikey buying Copes ride (I do like Mikey). If you can't race your way in (or have provisionals) then that's tough. Switch engines??? With what, the one he qualified in <g>

 

[Mopardh9]

Yeh i think that is rule that needs o be changed, buying your way into a race. If you don't make it there should be "no buying"...lol.

 

[buckaroo]

Buying into a race isn't anything that is new. It's gone on for many years, not only here in NASCAR but in other series as well. It used to be that a driver bought into a ride just to make the race for his driver points. But these days, with the cost of the sponsor, a driver/sponsor buys a ride for the advertising. I don't know who sponsors Copes car, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that whoever it is will be compensated probably more than what they put into the car for the race.

 

[Mopardh9]

Well it should stop, i know it has gone on for years, and in other forms of racing also. It just isn't fair IMO, if you can't make it on speed or provisionals, put it in the hauler and see you next week. I don't care if your sponsors are upset, that is your problem, you and your team should have been able to get your car up to speed to make the top 36. I'm not singling out Mikey here, i'm making a generalization. I think it is a rule that needs to go bye bye.

 

[CypressTrout]

Cope > Waltrip.....I think I'd just let the streak end if I were him.

 

[dragonlady424]

TRL, I ROL'dOTFL At Mikey in the booth v/s Mikey in a car!!!!!
Soooooooooooooooooooo, true!!!!!!!

And MHO is that NO BODY should be allowed to "buy" a ride.

 

[buckaroo]

And MHO is that NO BODY should be allowed to "buy" a ride.

I would tend to agree with you but if you think about it enough, you will see that all the teams are buying their way into a race. It's called hocking for the sponsors and in reality, it isn't Mikey that is buying into the race but rather NAPA. My insider tells me that it probably isn't all that much either as the sponsor on Cope's car probably didn't spend all that much to get on the car and other than probably a nice figure for the position and car, there is also probably a crash clause that would mean that Mikey, or NAPA, would have to replace the car if it's wrecked.

And we must all remember that it's not really up to Cope, but rather his team owner whether he would sell the spot.

 

[esorlxaw]

Buying your way in or not, you can really tick off a sponsor if you don't make races...remember Robby last year? Jim Beam was heated and Fruit of the Loom left. I can understand buying a ride to save your sponsor (and your own a$$) if the other driver is willing to be bought out. In a way I respect Robby for not buying another team, you know, just taking his lumps and moving on to next week, but at the same time, I wish he HAD bought a ride or two. While on the subject, Michael will get driver points, but not owner points, right? So it doesn't really help him as far as the top 35 goes, right?

 

[slick-nick]

Michael should not be in the race. Plain and simple.
Yeah, he found a loophole, so what? I'd be shocked if he finished in the top 40.

 

[vanzetti]

I'd be shocked if he finished in the top 40.

hahahaha

Not much space there...

 

[Mopardh9]

Pretty sure Mikey just gets driver points, so he will be in the same predicament next week.

 

[Magnethead]

correct.

 

[barelypure]

Pretty sure Mikey just gets driver points, so he will be in the same predicament next week.

He could be worse off. Not making this race could allow some guys below him to pass him so he's further back from 35. Meaning he has a bigger hill to climb to get locked in.

 

[Whizzer]

Michael should not be in the race. Plain and simple.
Yeah, he found a loophole, so what? I'd be shocked if he finished in the top 40.

It is not a "loop hole" but has been in place since..................when ?????? From the beginning perhaps??

Anyway, numerous drivers have bought thier rides when they failed to qualify. Some of the more recent or shall we say, memorable, is Darrell Waltrip (why is that name familiar) buying hisa way into the 2000, Daytona 500 after little known driver Carl Long, driving for Thee Dixon, qualified for the 500 and Waltrip, on his farewell did not.

Don't look for the rules to be relaxed anytime soon as this is a way for teams who are regulars on the circuit with high profile sponsors to get into the show if they fail to qualify under normal methods.

 

[Bucky Badger]

He could be worse off. Not making this race could allow some guys below him to pass him so he's further back from 35. Meaning he has a bigger hill to climb to get locked in.

Stremme and Wimmer.......I guess....but doubtful

 

[Eagle1]

It is not a "loop hole" but has been in place since..................when ?????? From the beginning perhaps??

Anyway, numerous drivers have bought thier rides when they failed to qualify. Some of the more recent or shall we say, memorable, is Darrell Waltrip (why is that name familiar) buying hisa way into the 2000, Daytona 500 after little known driver Carl Long, driving for Thee Dixon, qualified for the 500 and Waltrip, on his farewell did not.

Don't look for the rules to be relaxed anytime soon as this is a way for teams who are regulars on the circuit with high profile sponsors to get into the show if they fail to qualify under normal methods.

Whiz, I think that was the Coca Cola 600, (same race) not Daytona.


You are correct it has happened a lot in the past, but what I've also seen happen in the past was a team paid a low funded team to run their sponsor decals to give their sponsor exposure without inflateing the ego of the driver that couldn't get it done.

 

[BobbyFord]

If I were Mikey, I'd be embarrased in front of the other drivers.

 

[Magnethead]

He could be worse off. Not making this race could allow some guys below him to pass him so he's further back from 35. Meaning he has a bigger hill to climb to get locked in.

the top 35 rule goes off owner points- something mikey wont get. It doesn't go off driver points, which he will get.

 

[Whizzer]

I think that was the Coca Cola 600, (same race) not Daytona.

Right you are Eagle 1, it was the Coca Cola 600. My mistake. Most humble apology for posting incorrect information. Thank you for setting it right.

 

[barelypure]

the top 35 rule goes off owner points- something mikey wont get. It doesn't go off driver points, which he will get.

I guess my meaning wasn't clear. He didn't make this race. So he won't get points to move him into the 35 so he could be passed by others.
The fact that he's racing and getting driver's points means squat. Unless anyone thinks he'll suddenly make a run for the Chase. And, that has a snowball's chance.

 

[BobbyFord]

Now that the race is over, looks like Mikey got what he paid for

 

[Magnethead]

Now that the race is over, looks like Mikey got what he paid for

"brake problems"

also known as, UNFOLD ME FROM THIS FRIGGIN CLOWN CAR!!!

 

[Mopardh9]

The car he really wanted to get in was the Haas car that was in the top 5 for awhile. They did not want to part with it though.

 

[Eagle1]

I'll bet the car he really wanted was the #48 but they just detoured him before he could even walk in that direction.