Is Michael Waltrip Racing DOOMED?

Question

He is a pale shadow of his brother as a driver,let's hope he's a better business man or its straight down the toilet for him.what do you think?

Answer 1

He's not off to a good start. When the team owner/driver's car is impounded for an illegal substance ( Micheal claimed it was "oil") that doesn't say much for the rest of the team.

Answer 2

I don't know. First of all Driver/Owner combinations do not work very well in the Cup series. Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott were two big names that were doing that kind of a deal back in the mid to late 90's. Both of them had some good runs here and there, but overall it didn't play out very well. Those two had it a little easier back then too. There was not as much competition compared to today.

I think a driver needs to just focus on the driving and worry about owning a team when they decide to retire. It just seems like there is too much to take on as an owner, then to try being the driver at the same time... wow.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Answer 3

I think think that he's not exactly making some of the best choices he could be to make his team competition for Hendricks, Roush, Evernham, or Yates. He's not used to being a team owner and has too many drivers to handle this year, esspecially if he wants them to be winning races and be locked up into the chase. Also, with those new drivers, new to the way he runs things, aren't used to running with Toyota. He should have brought in one change at a time instead of piling everything together to be new all in one season.

Answer 4

no, they are blessed. they are the first and, so far, the biggest Toyota team so, the factory will take care of them and, Michael is, an excellent driver and, very personable and, easy going. as for D.W., when He was racing, You had the haves and, the have nots. in other words, there were only a hand full of teams with the backing and, equipment capable of winning week to week. D. W. was, on a have team. I remember the old days but, not the good old days.

Answer 5

In a nutshell yes. Mikey is the biggest sponsor whore in racing today. If he wants to own a team he should really quit driving because he is not very good at it. All he seems to be interested in now days is being on TV as much as possible. He's probably enjoying this whole intake manifold thing because any publicity is good publicity in his mind. How many shows is he doing these days, Inside Nextel Cup, Swappin Paint, that one on ESPN and commentary for races sometimes. My god, how can he keep it all straight, especially with sponsor promotions and obligations. It just goes to show you how much of NASCAR is driven by sponsors and not driving talent. A family name and $$$ talks and people that should be given a chance walk. As long as people keep putting up with his shameless plugging, watching his shows and supporting his sponsors he will be able to field crappy to mediocre teams at best. People need to call Domino's, Burger King etc. and say they will not have another Whopper 'til Mikey is not associated with them anymore. As long as people keep saying "Oh, that Michael is so funny. I just love him," he will continue on his mission of doing more plugs than actual racing based remarks on all his shows. I think Schrader is just going to backhand him live on Inside Nextel Cup one of these days or at least I can hope. It will probably take a few years before people get sick of seeing him all the time and finally realize he is really not that serious about being competitive. Then he will finally not race or own a team. The other scenario is that DW ends up bailing him out on the ownership deal. He is concerned about results and that might give this sorry race team a chance of success.

Answer 6

u have to remember one thing about mikey waltrip.........he is darrell waltrips little brother.
darrell owns toyota trucks in the truck series.he has since they began racing.i am sure with alot,i mean alot of help from DW,mikey will not be a doomed owner.
i dont think that he will win races,or his drivers,allthough ruttiman is a half decent driver.i think with DJ's tutiledge he will gain the confidence he needs to be a good driver.meanwhile DJ is on his way out,but his presence will make an impact on ruttiman.

Answer 7

" I sure hope so.SCREW TOYOTA ! "

This comment is funny. American made sh*t like General Motors, Chrysler, and FORD are going down the tubes financially. Why? Because they could care less about stupid people like the person who posted this comment. You go ahead and buy your Chevy dude and let us Toyota owners laugh at you. You did know Toyota is now one of the top three auto makers in the US now right? Get out of Kansas once in a while and wake up the world of 2007!

Answer 8

No. Once Toyota starts making every race (it will happen. maybe not for Daytona. but, i think within the first 10 races, almost all Toyota teams will end up in the top 35 in owners points.), they'll be good. I also think they'll race really well with the Car of Tomorrow. They started Toyota racing with the COT in mind. Therefore, I believe theyll run well with it.

Answer 9

I'll give it a wait and see... I would agree Mikey's not the driver his brother is. However, on the buisness side of things, Michael can sell himself very well,even if it's as a bit of goofball (Napa ads?) and may even match DW in the TV personality department.

Answer 10

First, Mikey is not the owner Buffy is the owner. Second, how can you compare Mikey to Darrell, thats like comparing Jr. to his dad. And third, with all three cars in the field , how can a team be doomed?