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HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Michael Waltrip and NAPA on Friday announced they have entered into a partnership with Bill Davis Racing for the 2006 Nextel Cup Series season.
Nine victories and eight poles are shared between the parties including three Daytona 500 wins and a Southern 500 victory. Bill Davis Racing's achievements lured Waltrip to its High Point, N.C., race shop.
Inside the Numbers
Michael Waltrip's career stats
Races W T-5 T-10
Cup 633 4 38 122
FACE OF TOYOTA?
Michael Waltrip signing with Bill Davis Racing for next season should not come as a surprise. BDR fields Toyotas in the Truck Series -- as does Waltrip's brother Darrell.
In May 2003, Dodge terminated its factory support for BDR because Davis was in discussions with Toyota to field one of its Tundra teams in the Truck Series for 2004.
With Toyota eyeing the Cup Series, don't be surprised if Michael isn't the face of the manufacturer once it moves into stock car racing. He would bring instant credibility -- and marketability -- to Toyota.
-- Duane Cross, NASCAR.COM
"I like the way Bill does business and he has created a strong organization," Waltrip explained. "NAPA and I look forward to continuing our winning ways at Bill Davis Racing on the track, as well as extending our successful marketing efforts off the track."
Waltrip and NAPA were teamed up by Dale Earnhardt in 2001 when their initial race together put them in Victory Lane in the Daytona 500. Since then, the pair has taken advantage of their union to create one of the strongest partnerships in the sport.
"Teaming with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. for the past five years has been the highlight of my NASCAR Nextel Cup career to date," Waltrip said. "I look toward my future with NAPA and BDR with gratitude to DEI for the memories and friendships I have formed."
"It is no secret that our association with Michael has been a key ingredient of our marketing efforts," said Bob Susor, president of NAPA. "Race fans associate NAPA Auto Parts with Michael Waltrip and vice versa. Michael has promoted our brand in his own unique style.
"Moving forward, we are pleased to announce our continued support of Michael Waltrip and a new partnership with Bill Davis Racing. This begins a new chapter in NASCAR team sponsorship for NAPA.
"We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the many successes NAPA has enjoyed during our tenure with DEI such as two NASCAR Truck Series Championships and two Daytona 500 victories," Susor said. "We will value our DEI association and wish them nothing but the best in their future efforts."
Next year will be Bill Davis Racing's 14th year of competition on the Cup Series level, the team's 19th year in NASCAR competition. As a team owner, Davis has worked with some of the sport's top drivers achieving wins in all three premier divisions of NASCAR, totaling 18 victories, 100 top-five finishes and 250 top-10 finishes.
Davis currently fields one full-time Cup team with Scott Wimmer driving the No. 22 Dodge.
In 2004, Davis expanded his operations to house three full-time truck teams in the Craftsman Truck Series. The teams include Mike Skinner in the No. 5 Toyota, Bill Lester in the No. 22 Toyota and ****** Benson in the No. 23 Toyota.
"NAPA and Michael Waltrip are the perfect combination to re-establish our two-car Cup team in 2006," Davis said.
"NAPA and Michael are held in high regard in our sport and have been successful in each series they have competed. We plan to build on their success and create a very competitive team next year and beyond."
Nine victories and eight poles are shared between the parties including three Daytona 500 wins and a Southern 500 victory. Bill Davis Racing's achievements lured Waltrip to its High Point, N.C., race shop.
Inside the Numbers
Michael Waltrip's career stats
Races W T-5 T-10
Cup 633 4 38 122
FACE OF TOYOTA?
Michael Waltrip signing with Bill Davis Racing for next season should not come as a surprise. BDR fields Toyotas in the Truck Series -- as does Waltrip's brother Darrell.
In May 2003, Dodge terminated its factory support for BDR because Davis was in discussions with Toyota to field one of its Tundra teams in the Truck Series for 2004.
With Toyota eyeing the Cup Series, don't be surprised if Michael isn't the face of the manufacturer once it moves into stock car racing. He would bring instant credibility -- and marketability -- to Toyota.
-- Duane Cross, NASCAR.COM
"I like the way Bill does business and he has created a strong organization," Waltrip explained. "NAPA and I look forward to continuing our winning ways at Bill Davis Racing on the track, as well as extending our successful marketing efforts off the track."
Waltrip and NAPA were teamed up by Dale Earnhardt in 2001 when their initial race together put them in Victory Lane in the Daytona 500. Since then, the pair has taken advantage of their union to create one of the strongest partnerships in the sport.
"Teaming with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. for the past five years has been the highlight of my NASCAR Nextel Cup career to date," Waltrip said. "I look toward my future with NAPA and BDR with gratitude to DEI for the memories and friendships I have formed."
"It is no secret that our association with Michael has been a key ingredient of our marketing efforts," said Bob Susor, president of NAPA. "Race fans associate NAPA Auto Parts with Michael Waltrip and vice versa. Michael has promoted our brand in his own unique style.
"Moving forward, we are pleased to announce our continued support of Michael Waltrip and a new partnership with Bill Davis Racing. This begins a new chapter in NASCAR team sponsorship for NAPA.
"We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the many successes NAPA has enjoyed during our tenure with DEI such as two NASCAR Truck Series Championships and two Daytona 500 victories," Susor said. "We will value our DEI association and wish them nothing but the best in their future efforts."
Next year will be Bill Davis Racing's 14th year of competition on the Cup Series level, the team's 19th year in NASCAR competition. As a team owner, Davis has worked with some of the sport's top drivers achieving wins in all three premier divisions of NASCAR, totaling 18 victories, 100 top-five finishes and 250 top-10 finishes.
Davis currently fields one full-time Cup team with Scott Wimmer driving the No. 22 Dodge.
In 2004, Davis expanded his operations to house three full-time truck teams in the Craftsman Truck Series. The teams include Mike Skinner in the No. 5 Toyota, Bill Lester in the No. 22 Toyota and ****** Benson in the No. 23 Toyota.
"NAPA and Michael Waltrip are the perfect combination to re-establish our two-car Cup team in 2006," Davis said.
"NAPA and Michael are held in high regard in our sport and have been successful in each series they have competed. We plan to build on their success and create a very competitive team next year and beyond."
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