Michael Waltrip to attempt Daytona 500 for Swan Racing

Michael Waltrip will drive in next month’s Daytona 500 behind the wheel of the No. 30 Toyota fielded by Swan Racing.

The move, which was announced during a NASCAR test session Thursday at Daytona International Speedway, will see the two-time 500 champion reunite with former crew chief Tony Eury Jr., who he worked with in 2005 when the two were at Dale Earnhardt Inc.

“I am thrilled to drive the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing and the chance to win a third Daytona 500,” Waltrip said in a statement. “Reuniting with Tony Jr. and Steve Hmiel brings back a lot of good memories and is going to create new ones.”

Waltrip is noted for his ability on restrictor-plate tracks with all four of his Sprint Cup Series victories having come at either Daytona or Talladega -- including the “Great America Race” in 2001 and 2003 with DEI. He had qualified for 25-consecutive Daytona 500s from 1987-2011 before missing last year’s event due to a crash during his qualifying race.

The co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing is replacing Swan Racing’s regular driver, David Stremme, who is scheduled to return to the No. 30 car the following week at Phoenix International Raceway.

“This is a great move for Swan Racing,” Stremme said. “Michael and I have been friends for a long time. We got to talking last year and from my perspective I thought this would help to further our relationship with Toyota and be a good building block for Swan Racing.”