Michael Waltrip chat transcript

Room: Daytona Champions
Date: 10/03/2007
Start Time: 11:50
Stop Time: 13:10

ejj44: Good morning Michael

Michael Waltrip: Welcome to the DAYTONA500 Champions Chat Series Delivered by UPS. Michael Waltrip will join us today at 12:00pm. Your questions will be answered in the order they are received.
Michael Waltrip: Thanks for your patience, Michael will be joining us shortly

cmkcwaltripgirl: Michael, how special is it to be able to live your dream having your family as involved as they are?

Michael Waltrip: Ever since I have been a racecar driver, racing has been part of the family to me, as a kid we always jumped in a car as a family and went to a race. It's the same now whether it's my wife, daughter, mom - it's all encompassing, we love the fact we can ejoy it together

mikey fan: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO SEE UR TEAM GETTING BETTER WEEK BY WEEK

Michael Waltrip: When I started I felt we would be better than we were, but to see us improving makes it more gratifying and helps us keep motivated

California Cathy: Are there plans for you personally to race in the truck series next year or in the future?

Michael Waltrip: I am still a guy that loves to race whether it's a truck or car I just love it. Given the opportunity sure

LRock: I've been to Raceworld USA and LOVED it. Has the response from NASCAR fans been what you expected...are people coming to see your shop?

Michael Waltrip: It's been very unexpected everyone that comes that love it. They appreciate the fact of the opportunity and that we spent alot of money to give them an experience they never had before. The more the merrier I hope everyone comes.
toot: I know how stressed out when you are out doing your qualifying lap. It breaks my heart when you have a bad week. But it looks like things are looking up. I wish you luck always. Luv You from Canada

Michael Waltrip: I'm 1/8th canadian and I appreciate my canadian fans. If nothing else I hope it gives people a window and see what it takes to qualify and I'm so passionate about racing. When I qualify I give it all I got. I think it's funny other people find it funny.

mikey fan: I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN AND GOING BY THE TESTING U DID I CANT WAIT FOR ALL 3 OF UR CARS TO RACE THIS WEEKEND I THINKK U CAN WIN THE RACE GO MWR

Michael Waltrip: Wow thank you and I think we tested well and I love Talladega. When I was a kid just watching my brother racing there I was so in awe. When I was able to win there it was such a dramatic time, I love going back


Will: Will there be a 2nd season of MWR--a New Era? The 1st episode of season 2 was broadcast, but then it was pulled from the schedule.

Michael Waltrip: We have shown everything that was recorded, however there isn't a plan at this moment for that.

California Cathy: I predict that you personally will score the first Toyota Cup series win. Any thoughts on this? Think it will be you, David or DJ?

Michael Waltrip: Well - um no I don't really have a thought - I dreamt the other night that Dale won and that was pretty cool. Dale has alot of wins, and if he does win that would be cool to me.

Fired Up: Michael, who do you think has the best chance of winning the Chase for the Cup this year?

Michael Waltrip: I know I'm for Tony Stewart it was looking good til it quit raining in Kansas but I think he will get it back

California Cathy: Hey marathon man!! Any future marathons in your dayplanner?

Michael Waltrip: Victory Junction Camp in November or December. I haven't done much running but I plan too. I gained a little weight and running is how I lose it. If I do what I need to do to prepare to run a marathon, I don't have a full schedule but I do plan to do 1/2. I encourage everyone to attend the Victory Junction Gang Camp it's alot of fun.

ginny: Hi Michael! I'm a huge fan of yours !! Love watching you race! I know you lived with Richard Petty and worked with Dale Sr...What was the one thing you learned from each of them that you carry with you every day ? and did Darrell mend his friendship with Richard ?

Michael Waltrip: What I loved about Richard Petty - he was like my dad - just a normal dude, and that stuck with me more than you could imagine. That's probably a life lesson that he didn't even know he taught me. The thing about Dale was he was a champion and a winner and he believed in me and said I would win in one of his cars. He put that in me, I don't think I would have ever won if it wasn't for him. The 2 of them have been more to me as a person and what I have done for my career even more than my brother. They helped shaped me into what I am today

Lisa from Ohio: Of the active drivers today, who do you consider to be your closest friend(s)?

Michael Waltrip: I'm not all that close to any of them, but if I needed a favor or a buddy there are about 10 of them I could count on and on the top of that list is Kenny Wallace and Kenny Schrader.

moondoggie: How important to the sport of NASCAR is the celebration of the 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500 and the gathering of the past champions?

Michael Waltrip: It's an honor for me to be a part of that club, I told them when I was in it I don't feel worthy but was very thankful. But will be smiling about until the end of November into 2008 - that race defines our sport and I am real proud I have been able to have success there
nascarwalt: Is there anyone currently that you feel intimidates other races like Dale Sr?

Michael Waltrip: No, it’s too competitive now, I think those days are over. We all wreck each other now.

nascarwalt: what younger racer have you taken under your wing like Petty & Sr did for you?

Michael Waltrip: I enjoy hanging out with Josh Wise, Michael McDowell, and Ken Butler 3rd. Those guys I like and listen too. They all love racing and I love getting their perspective on things.

Lisa from Ohio: Will you be writing your autobiography anytime soon? If so, you should get the same lady that helped with Kenny Wallace & Kenny Schrader's books - they were really good.

Michael Waltrip: I was at borders yesterday - looking at some of the crap people had written and thought I could write a book. Yes I do want to write a book, more of a life lessons type of book then an autobiography.

kesslheimr20: I got here a little late, so if this question has already been asked, I'm sorry. How much to you think Gibbs motor program will help all the toyota teams?

Michael Waltrip: They will help us because they are winning races right now with chevys. They start building toyotas tomorrow. We don't feel like we have that power. So a big thumbs up to Joe Gibbs racing.

California Cathy: Helio is on Dancing with the Stars......when will we see you dancing on there??

Michael Waltrip: Have you ever seen the video where my brother danced in victory lane when he won the Daytona 500 - that's how I dance...so if I was on there someone would really get hurt.

Will: Do you feel that the COT will improve much next year?

Michael Waltrip: If it does it would be great but to me it's perfect already.

California Cathy: How do you like the COT's so far compared to the cars you're used to racing?

Michael Waltrip: I am a big COT fan - It's safer and people who don't like it, need to get over it.

LAD: Over all the years you have been racing, which series did you enjoy competing in the most?

Michael Waltrip: Busch in the late 80's because I was always fast and loved it and got to revisit it in early 2000's - cup is like work, but busch is more fun. I also enjoy racing the trucks because I always run well. So cup is like work, Busch and truck are more fun so I enjoy them the most

Michele W: How do you decide which tracks you will take time to sign autographs at your souvenir trailer?

Michael Waltrip: It's pretty random, and depends on the schedule. I really enjoy and love seeing people what they are up to. I don't look at autograph sessions as a job I look at it as an adventure.

California Cathy: How's your golf game doing these days? Do you plan on golfing when your at Daytona or will managing your teams keep you off the golf course?

Michael Waltrip: I am fortunate in the fact that I have a good friend that is a touring pro and he helps me so I love golf and I am fortunate that I get time to play.

mikey fan: AFTER RACING DO U THINK U WILL WORK IN THE BROADCASTING BOOTH CAUSE I ENJOY THE TRUCK RACES WHEN U CALL THEM CAUSE U EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS AND TECH STUFF

Michael Waltrip: I love racing and so I hope I have a reason to be at the races whether it's being a car driving a car, driving a car, calling races - whatever it is I will be happy.

Bratch: Do you have a favorite track you like to race on?

Michael Waltrip: I do have a favorite track- it's daytona it defines what NASCAR is and what it's been forever.

Will: What do you like to eat before or after a race?

Michael Waltrip: I like chicken in the morning and chicken at night.

HERSHSHE: Will Inside Nextel Cup be on Speed again next season and will you be on the show?

Michael Waltrip: Yes it will be on and Yes I will be on the show

mikey fan: WELL BY THE WAY UR TEAM IS GOING I THINK U WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL OWNER LIKE U ARE A DRIVER U HAVE A GREAT OWNERSHIP FUTURE AND LOOKS WILL GOOD IF U CAN BRING UP JOSH WISE

Michael Waltrip: It's an honor to be a part of the Daytona 500 Winners online chat. Thank you for the questions, and I apologize if there were questions I wasn't able to answer during this short time, but do appreciate you all coming to chat with me.I look forward to seeing you at the races or raceworld USA...Love ya'll

Be sure to join us again on October 17, 12-1 featuring Bobby Allison