The start of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season has brought together two names that ultimately ended the 2007 season on the opposite ends of the spectrum.Michael Waltrip will start alongside pole winner Jimmie Johnson for Sunday's 50th running of the Daytona 500.
Johnson, last year's Sprint Cup champion, drove a lap at 187.075 mph to secure his second-career pole for the season-opener. Waltrip, who finished 44th in last year's season standings, guaranteed his spot in the Daytona 500 with a lap of 186.734 mph.
Both laps were faster than the pole-winning speed in 2007.
While Johnson was excited to be on the pole for the season's biggest event, it was Waltrip that was nearly speechless about his effort. Exactly one year ago, Waltrip was facing the biggest storm of his career after his car was found to have an illegal additive in the engine prior to qualifying for the 2007 edition.
It would lead to a season that saw both he and his Michael Waltrip Racing team miss several races, fall out of the top-35, and lose sponsors for 2008. Somehow, his team trucked on and this time around at Daytona, all three MWR cars face a go-or-go-home situation if they want to make the event.
Waltrip, a two-time 500 winner, joined teammate David Reutimann and Joe Nemechek as the three drivers that guaranteed a spot in next Sunday's race based on time. The third MWR car with Dale Jarrett on-board will have to race his way into the race on Thursday during the qualifying races.
Nemechek's near pole-winning run was doubly impressive considering the team operates out of Denver, Colo. and has only been in business for three years.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-10-2008 @ 11:42PM
jojo said...
Jimmie Johnson might of got the pole , but Dale jr will win the Daytona 500 .......
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2-11-2008 @ 1:34PM
suzanne said...
I am so happy for Michael Waltrip and his team I never appreciated him more than I did last year, the way he has come through everything, Nascar and his sponsors should be proud to have him in the pack I have a feeling this year is going to be stellar for Him, His Team and His Fans way to go Mickey.
From your fans from Canada
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2-11-2008 @ 10:07AM
Don Emerson said...
Golly, Ol' jr dun went out n won that thar race in Daytoner. I knowed it were a comin' cause jr dun got him a new ride n all. jr are the best driver in racing, that's fer shore. My mammy likes him too, she wants to git her pitcher made with him as soon as she kin git sum new teeth. You kin count me as one of the jr nation, n I have the tattew to prove it too. When folks ast me about the 8 on my tattew, I jus tell them it comes from whar jr user ter run demolition derby, Anyways, I don'e care whoever won the poll, jr are still gonna win that thar race. All yew folks who don't lack jr kin jus take a drank from my spit cup. werks fer me.....
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2-12-2008 @ 6:42AM
Bonnh52 said...
i was jumping up and down when Wa;trip was going down but i was say other way other wat and i was say stay there stay there i was so happy he got it
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2-12-2008 @ 7:56AM
Mike said...
uhhhhhhhhhhhh, what?
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2-12-2008 @ 9:02AM
James said...
There's a new fantasy game that we're playing for the Daytona 500. It's simple enough that we play it along side our other leagues. Check out the public game:
http://www.last2left.com/games/auto-racing-2008-daytona-500/standings
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2-12-2008 @ 11:50AM
Donna said...
Go Jimmy Go! #1 Jimmie Johnson fan!!!
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2-16-2008 @ 9:21AM
Rusty Price said...
Michael Waltrip on the front row!
It appears that he and his team have rebounded from what must have been a devastating season. It's good to have you back, Mikey!
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