The Daytona 500 has represented the highest and lowest points of Michael Waltrip’s career, and fittingly it will also signal the end of his career as a NASCAR driver.
Michael Waltrip to end driving career after 2017 Daytona 500
Waltrip’s last NASCAR race will occur in next month’s season-opening Daytona 500.
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Waltrip, who stopped racing fulltime following the 2009 season, has continued to sporadically compete in restrictor-plate events at Daytona International Speedway and sister track Talladega Superspeedway. He will make his 30th and final Daytona 500 start in next month’s season opening race.
Waltrip will drive the No. 15 Toyota for Premium Motorsports, sources confirmed to SB Nation. Because Premium purchased a team charter over the offseason from HScott Motorsports, Waltrip is guaranteed a starting position in the 40-car race. The 53-year-old will be supported by Aaron’s, his longtime sponsor.
Three of Waltrip’s four Cup wins have occurred at Daytona International Speedway, including a pair of Daytona 500 triumphs in 2001 and 2003. The 2001 victory was marred by the death of Dale Earnhardt, Waltrip’s good friend and car owner, on the final lap.
“The Daytona 500 in a lot of ways defines a racer’s career and I am proud to have been able to win our sport’s most prestigious race twice,” he said in a news release. “I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows at the ‘Great American Race.’
“But when you are a NASCAR driver who has the privilege of racing here, you love Daytona no matter what happens. In my 30th and final Daytona 500, I am just going to enjoy every moment and be happy that Aaron’s has given me one more opportunity to hoist the Harley J. Earl Trophy.”
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