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NASCAR WCUP: Michael Waltrip hoping for road course rebound

23 June 1999

HARRISBURG, N.C. (June 23, 1999) - During a 34-race season, it is an
unfortunate reality that a driver will have a run of bad luck at one point
or another.  Philips Chevrolet driver Michael Waltrip is hoping that after
his third "DNF" in four weeks, he can look ahead to better days.

The first of those "better days" could come this Sunday at Sears Point
Raceway, where Waltrip has quietly posted solid career numbers during the
road course's 10 year existence on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule.


Michael Waltrip at Sears Point...

Starts:  10
Top 5s:  0
Top 10s:  5
Top 15s:  6
Ave. start:  15.30
Ave. finish:  16.10
Winnings:  $178,740
Best start:  6th ('97)
Best finish:  7th('97)
1998:  34th


Michael Waltrip on...

...how he became a good road racer:

"Go-karts probably.  That's how I started racing.  They gave me a really
good understanding of road racing and the lines you needed to take before I
ever drove a car.  Then, I just had to master the skills that it took to
drive a car as opposed to a go-kart.  I've just always been really
comfortable with it and have always enjoyed it, and am glad it's part of the
schedule."

...the importance of road courses as a part of the NASCAR Winston Cup
schedule:

"I think we need them more for the race fans than we do for the diversity of
the schedule.  I think running mile-and-a-half tri-ovals every weekend would
get a little boring.  Sears Point and Watkins Glen are certainly places on
the schedule that need to be there in order to keep things spiced-up.
Variety is very important to what we do.  NASCAR is very smart.  They've
never varied too far from what got them to where they are today, and I don't
believe they'll get away from road racing, either."

- 30 -

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