Current Craftsman Truck Series driver Mike Skinner is back in the Sprint Cup Series. Michael McDowell, though, hopes it isn't for long.
CORNELIUS, N.C. (AP) -Mike Skinner will take over Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 00 Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, replacing rookie Michael McDowell for the next three races.Skinner's efforts were a big hit with Red Bull Racing and A.J. Allmendinger especially because he essentially cemented to the race team that what A.J. was feeling and communicating to the team about the car were accurate.
Waltrip said Tuesday he asked the veteran Skinner to help the team evaluate where it can improve its on-track performance, as Skinner did earlier this year when he drove five races for Red Bull Racing, replacing A.J. Allmendinger.
"Michael Waltrip Racing is fully committed to our sponsors, the success of our race teams and ensuring Michael McDowell, Josh Wise, David Reutimann and I have the necessary tools to succeed as drivers," Waltrip said. "We've asked Mike Skinner to evaluate areas where we can improve our on-track performance."
To me though, the best way to improve on-track performance at Michael Waltrip Racing would have been not jumping to a three-car team for its debut in 2007. And it's second step should have been hiring a veteran for the No. 00 instead of stock car novice Michael McDowell for 2008.
From the way the rest of the team has run in 2008 with Waltrip, McDowell, Dale Jarrett for the first five races, and David Reutimann, I'm willing to bet that putting Skinner in the car isn't going to help the team as substantially as it did for Red Bull.
In Red Bull's case, Brian Vickers was already putting up some decent results -- something MWR has lacked.
Skinner might help a little bit, but don't expect McDowell to get back in the car and pick up some Top-10s by the end of 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-13-2008 @ 6:58PM
Kim said...
Gotta agree with you here, Geoffrey. MWR has been a disaster from its inception. Look, I like Waltrip. He seems like a nice guy, but he's never really been that great of a driver, of which he continues to prove week in and week out. You forgot to mention too, not only did they jump into a three car team, hired non-veteran drivers, but they also jumped on the Toyota bandwagon in its first year with NASCAR. Too many firsts in one year at the same time for this team to be a success. First time owner, first time drivers, first time car manufacturer, does not equal success by any stretch of the imagination.
I think I have told you all before....My hubby works for UPS and has for over ten years. We were never thrilled when UPS sponsored a Ford (We're a Chevy Family), but remained fans because we loved Dale Jarrett. That being said, we were not happy at all when Dale Jarrett moved to MWR and switched to a Toyota. But we remained fans as we still loved Dale. Now that Dale is gone, there is nothing more to love! UPS spends WAY TOO much money on their racing program to remain with MWR and rookie drivers, IMO. I would love to see UPS go with someone like Stewart (apparently a pipe dream as his sponsors have already been announced).
Kim
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8-13-2008 @ 8:42PM
Doofus McTool said...
No worries, Kim. If UPS can figure out how to pull their heads outta their smelly ports, they'll be back in the Chevy camp. My latest info says that UPS still hasn't decided what direction to go in for 2009. They are the biggest dollar sponsorship out there right now that is not contractually attached to a team for '09 and beyond. Believe me, everyone is after them.
And just because Tony has announced primary sponsors for his car, doesn't mean that the other car and other driver doesn't need a sponsor, too. Since the driver from N. Indiana is all but signed with SHR, they just need a sponsor to make it all official and everything. So tell your hubby to wind up the corporate marketing dummies and send them to Kannapolis, NC. The SHR crew would love to get UPS' signature on the dotted line.