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NASCAR WCUP: Michael Waltrip expects Glen to be "business as usual"

12 August 1999

HARRISBURG, N.C. (Aug. 12, 1999) - A number of concrete patches were recently installed in the corners at Watkins Glen International to ensure a dependable racing surface for this weekend's NASCAR Winston Cup race. Although that means the famous New York road course will be comprised of both asphalt and concrete, Philips Chevrolet driver Michael Waltrip expects little effect when practice begins on Friday morning. Waltrip will be looking for his second top 10 finish of the year on road courses, after posting a 10th place result at Sears Point Raceway back in June.

Michael Waltrip at Watkins Glen...

Starts: 13
Top 5s: 1
ToP 10s: 3
Ave. start: 18.23
Ave. finish: 18.62
Winnings: $185,790
Best start: 6th ('95)
Best finish: 4th ('90)
1998: 28th

Michael Waltrip on...

...the addition of concrete patches at Watkins Glen:

"I'm not really apprehensive about it. I think it will be just fine. Although it could be kind of weird because sometimes when you come onto pit road you will slide [on the asphalt] until you hit the concrete. It seems like it has better grip-maybe because it's more abrasive and you're able to get a hold of it better. It could be interesting, but I'm pretty confident that it will be OK after listening to the guys that tested on it. We hear the setups were about the same, so we'll just go about it like business as usual."

...the differences between Sears Point and Watkins Glen:

"Sears Point is probably a little more challenging, because it just doesn't have a ton of grip. You slip and slide a lot out there. Watkins Glen has always been a track you can pretty well get a hold of, and now since they re-paved it, it should be even stickier. Sears Point is a finesse deal. At Watkins Glen, you just jam in there and challenge it, and generally it will stick."