Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Silly Season Lap 1: Truex To MWR In 2010

((HT: Charlotte Observer/Rick Bonnell))

As expected, Michael Waltrip will turn over his Toyota ride - sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts - to Martin Truex Jr. to drive, starting next season.

Waltrip, who will continue to own the race team, will run a limited schedule in 2010 and will be sponsored by NAPA in the season-opening Daytona 500.

NAPA announced at Tuesday's news conference that it has extended its sponsorship contract. The company said that extension is for multiple years but did not specify how many.

Michael Waltrip Racing will create a fourth race team to accommodate Waltrip's partial schedule. He said he will drive at least four or five races on the Sprint Cup Series next year and as many as 10 or 12.

"I always said if I wasn't the best guy to race the car on Sunday, someone else would take my place," Waltrip said as he introduced Truex as successor. "I'm sitting here happy that Martin is taking over my car. I didn't need to quit. I didn't have to quit."

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