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NASCAR WCUP: Pocono offers good opportunity for Philips driver Michael Waltrip

17 June 1999

HARRISBURG, N.C. - As the Winston Cup Series continues this week at Pocono International Raceway, Philips Chevrolet Michael Waltrip finds himself with a good opportunity to continue his climb back up the championship point standings. Waltrip, who currently sits 18th in the overall standings, has a solid record at the 2.5 mile tri-oval, including a career-best 2nd place finish there in 1988 and a top 10 run there last fall.

Michael Waltrip at Pocono (career)...

Starts:  26
Top 5s:  1
Top 10s:  3
Top 15s:  13
Ave. start:  22.19
Ave. finish:  18.42
Winnings:  $385,010
Best start:  5th ('91)
Best finish:  2nd('88)
1998:  14th (race 1), 10th (race 2)
Trends:  Posted 2 top 10s and 10 top 15s in last 13 starts

Michael Waltrip on...

...why he likes Pocono:

"Pocono is a different animal. We don't race anywhere else that is remotely like it, and that makes it fun. It's like a superspeedway and a short track. It's just really fun to drive at Pocono, and that's a big part of it. I think every driver in the garage likes to run up there."

...what it takes to be good at Pocono:

"There is no trick to being good at Pocono. Anybody that says that is kidding themselves. Some people say that the key is figuring out the tunnel turn. But, shoot, if that's the only place you're good up there, you're gonna get beat bad, because that racetrack is way too big. You've got to get the car to handle everywhere to be quick."

...the importance of Winston Cup "Happy Hour":

"'Happy Hour' is important, but then you have to be smart enough to adjust from there. That's where Bobby [Kennedy] and I get along really well. Our thinking is a lot alike. When practice is over, I always look at it and say, 'OK, that's what I had - is that what I need?' Then Bobby and I will get together and kick a couple of ideas around, and more often than not, we'll change something on the chassis Sunday morning. You just have to rely on your experience. 'Happy Hour' is important, but it's only an hour long. You need to keep thinking and adjusting after it's over."

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