NASCAR WCUP: Michael Waltrip Notes and Quotes, Rockingham
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Michael Waltrip, No. 15NAPA Chevrolet Monte Carlo: “I’vehad an incredible
week dealing with the loss of Dale. I was his friend. Thepublic, we all
loved watching him race his car. And those were the things that we’re going
to miss. But Dale Jr. and Teresa and those folks aregoing to miss a big part
of their life, their family. And when someone dies, it’s hard on us ‘cause
we’re still here,but it’s better for them. They’re in abetter place now.
That’s what’s going to make me go on. My plate is quite full this weekend.
We comehere as the winners of the Daytona 500, but that race is in the book.
We haveto really work on our car and make sure we do our job Saturday when it
comestime qualify is to make sure we get a good starting spot and then we’re
readyto race. We came here and tested fortwo days and I was real pleased
with the times we ran. The team was happy with the results of thetest, but
it took us two days to get that way. We adjusted on the car over and over and
over, and finally at the end ofthe second day, I had the way I wanted. I ran
a good time in a qualifying run, but I never got to make any raceruns. I’m
going to rely on Steve (Park)and his guys ‘cause they tested down here and
did mostly race runs. So I’m finding out how important teammatesare and how
wonderful the teammates I have are. The Daytona 500 was a perfectexample of
that, and hopefully this weekend it will work out the same way. “Thank you all for honoringDale Earnhardt the way you have. I have been overjoyed and overwhelmed with theway the media has covered the tragedy. I know Dale would think it was pretty cool too. I think he would. My personal thinking is that when this weekend is over, and we’veraced, then next week we can talk about winning the Daytona 500. We can talk about that side of it. It’s justmy personal preference to let this week be the week that we just talk aboutDale and what he meant to all of us. What he meant to me personally. Then next week, I’d like to talk aboutall that other stuff.
“I’d like to say one morething. Being back at the racetrack is agood thing for us. When we walk in the garage area, we’re back in ourelement. We’re doing the things that we’vedone for so long. I’m glad we’rehere. I think it helps to get thehealing process on down the road a bit further. So, I’m please with that and that we’re here. When we, and Dale, were runningone-two-three-four at the Daytona 500 was a great memory. And to orchestrate that, to give us the carsto do that with, was amazing. And ifyou’ve ever wondered about Dale’s grasp on the sport and where he was headedwith this new team, all you have to do is to find a picture of the four of usgoing across the start/finish line at the Daytona 500. I think that was reallycool. I’m really proud and happy aboutthat.”
Text Provided By Nancy Wager
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