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Nascar: M. Waltrip Hopes for Gas Crisis

9 June 1999

Michael Waltrip would love to see
fuel mileage as a factor at Michigan

HARRISBURG, N.C. (June 9, 1999) - After 400 miles at Dover Downs last
Sunday, fuel mileage turned out to be the deciding factor in settling the
outcome.  Michael Waltrip's Philips Chevrolet has been stingy all year when
it comes to burning fuel, but as of yet, Waltrip hasn't had the opportunity
to capitalize on the savings.  Waltrip hopes to change that this weekend as
he heads to Michigan Speedway for the 14th round of the NASCAR Winston Cup
Series.


Michael Waltrip at Michigan (spring races)...

Starts:  13
Poles:  1
Top 5s:  0
Top 10s:  1
Ave. start:  22.92
Ave. finish:  24.08
Winnings:  $187,235
Best start:  Pole ('91)
Best finish:  8th ('94)
1998:  21st


Michael Waltrip on...

...fuel mileage as a factor at Michigan:

"Anytime you get better mileage than most, it's going to pay off --
somewhere, sometime.  At California, we probably benefited three or four
positions because we didn't have to make a stop that some other guys had to
make.  Fuel mileage is a concern in any race.  But historically, Michigan
has come down to where, at some point or another, fuel mileage has mattered.
I'm really proud of the job that this Philips Racing Team has done on that
this year.  And, one day, if we keep it up, it will pay off."

...rebounding from two disappointing weeks:

"That's the great thing about NASCAR Winston Cup racing.  Opportunity
presents itself pretty much every week.  If you do well, it's good to get
back to the track and get after it again, because you're on a roll.  If you
don't do well, your thinking is, 'Man, we've got to get this straightened
out," and fortunately, we only have to wait a few days to make it better."