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NASCAR WCUP: Waltrip takes 15th from Michigan

13 June 1999

Michael Waltrip takes a 15th away from Michigan

 BROOKLYN, Mich.  (June 13, 1999) - It's been a while since a trip to
Michigan Speedway yielded much to Philips Chevrolet driver Michael Waltrip.
But Sunday, the two-mile oval returned a 15th place finish to the NASCAR
veteran, as well as some much-needed momentum with more than half of the
1999 Winston Cup season remaining.

Waltrip's finish was hard-fought, as he picked up three positions during the
final 50 laps of the caution-free event.  Up to that point, the Owensboro,
Kentucky-driver studied the handling of his car during each of the first
three fuel runs, searching for the proper balance in the hot, humid
summer-like weather.  Perseverance seemed to pay off as the day wore on, as
Waltrip found himself turning solid lap times during the closing stages of
the race.

"I love being better at the end than I am at the beginning," said Waltrip.
"That's one of the things we accomplished today.  The crew was just so
great, with the adjustments they gave me.  When you're racing, you're really
trying to think about the car.  But, it's great when you have a crew on pit
road that's doing exactly the same thing "

Waltrip's finish capped off a weekend that appeared to turn the Philips
Racing Team back in the positive direction it was headed earlier in the 1999
season.  Waltrip's starting position of 16th was his best at a
non-restrictor plate race since he placed the Philips Chevrolet 13th in the
lineup at Darlington, while Sunday's top 15 finish ended a streak of six
straight finishes of 18th or worse.  Waltrip's Michigan performance also
moved him up to 18th in the current Winston Cup point standings, leaving him
just 24 points out of the 15th position.

Next Sunday, the Winston Cup Series continues at Pocono Raceway in Long
Pond, Pa.  Waltrip and his teammates will be looking to build on this
weekend's run at the 2.5-mile tri-oval where Waltrip drove to 14th and 10th
place finishes in 1998.

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