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NASCAR WCUP: Michael Waltrip couldn't catch a 'brake' at Rockingham

22 February 1999

ROCKINGHAM, N.C.- Philips Chevrolet driver Michael Waltrip couldn't catch a break - or a brake for that matter - Sunday at North Carolina Speedway in the Dura Lube/Big Kmart 400.

During the first half of the 393-lap affair, Waltrip and his Philips crew weren't happy with the way the car felt. What they needed was a caution, which would have helped keep them on the lead lap, and also would have given them a chance to dial on Waltrip's ride. But, that caution didn't come until just past halfway, after they had sacrificed one lap and gained just two spots from their 28th starting position.

But, once those adjustments were made, Waltrip returned to the track and began to make a noticeable move through the field. With 100 laps remaining, Waltrip found himself in 16th and in a position to race his way back to the brink of the lead lap.

But then, his hopes were cut short as the brakes on his car faded, eventually leaving him with enough stopping power to be safe, but not enough to mount a sustained charge. The team went to work during a series of stops in the closing stages of the race to correct the problem, but to no avail. Waltrip spent the final 60 laps with little braking ability, and finished the second round of the 1999 Winston Cup season one lap down in 20th position.

"Even though things didn't turn out quite like we hoped, I'm real proud of this Philips team," said Waltrip. "They made a lot of changes to the car today and made us better than we had been all weekend."

Waltrip's pride is understandable, considering his team had only eight laps in which to set up their back up car prior to qualifying on Saturday. The team's primary entry was damaged in a Friday afternoon accident, which forced them to make the change.

Sunday's 20th place finish, coupled with his fifth place finish in the Daytona 500, have Waltrip sitting seventh in the current NASCAR Winston Cup point standings heading into the Las Vegas 400, March 7 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Waltrip and his Mattei Motorsports teammates will take plenty of incentive into that event, as they make their assault on the "Winston No Bull 5" $1 million bonus.