Hallelujah! A 2nd Chance for "The Legend"

My mother always said everybody deserves a second chance and that is certainly true in the case of "The Legend" - our most esteemed high priest of DWisms. You might remember that due to rain and the NASCAR points system, etc., etc. - Michael Waltrip was unable to run his DW tribute car at Kentucky as planned. Now comes word from the site of that ancient Indian burial ground upon which sits Talladega SuperSpeedway (or for us oldtimers - Alabama International Motor Speedway - A.I.M.S.) that Michael will arrive with another DW tribute car to honor his brother's first Talladega start as well asDW's upcoming induction in the Mecklenburg County, I mean NASCAR Hall of Fame. I'm sure The Legend will not be surprised to see that MW gives DW credit for his development into the fellow he is today. Not sure if that is a compliment or slam, but here are the anxiously awaited details. Maybe we can call this MW ride "The 2nd Chance Special!" I bet "The Legend" is already brushing up on his "Ickey Shuffle!"

Michael Waltrip's Talladega car to honor brother Darrell's Hall of Fame induction

The No. 15 car that Michael Waltrip will drive at Talladega.

Published: Friday, October 14, 2011, 12:36 PM
By Doug Demmons

The Birmingham News

Michael Waltrip will make his next NASCAR Sprint Cup start at Talladega Superspeedway, driving the No. 15 Toyota.

And he'll have a special paint scheme that honors older brother Darrell Waltrip's election to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The car features a photo on the hood taken during the May 10, 1975, Victory Lane celebration at Nashville Speedway. It includes 28-year-old Darrell Waltrip and wife Stevie atop the car next to crew chief "Suitcase" Jake Elder. Wearing the Goodyear hat is Robert Gee, grandfather to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Next to the car are the Waltrip's grandparents, Lee and Odie Phillips. At the bottom left is 12-year-old Michael Waltrip.

The back deck lid has a picture of Darrell during the 1989 Daytona 500 Victory Lane celebration as he danced the "Ickey Shuffle."

"This is really a huge honor and something that I certainly don't take lightly so I certainly want to thank Aaron's," Michael Waltrip said. "To be able to go to Talladega in a replica of a car that Darrell raced there for the first time and started his march toward the Hall of Fame, it is a special feeling. We both won at Talladega and based on how I've run in those races - even though I'm pretty much retired - I feel like I can win again. I'm going there with a car that has so much meaning to our family and being able to leave the pit area feeling like I can win that's pretty cool. Some of my earliest memories of Darrell and his NASCAR career were at Talladega. I've been going to Talladega since the mid '70s. I wasn't around for that first one, I was probably nine. Darrell was not only my childhood hero and brother but someone who helped shape me into what I am today."

--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Deck the halls with.....!!!!


--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

From 1973-1983, one-time Darrell Waltrip Business Manager, Joe Carver of Nashville was hired to promote Langley Field Speedway in Hampton, VA.Carver alwaysthought DW was unbeatable, so to draw a crowd at Langley one night, he imported DW and staged a $1,000 to win match race between Darrell Waltrip, and the late Virginia short track superstars Sonny Hutchins and Ray Hendrick. I would have given anything to have seen that race, but didn't. I have a notion The Legend would have approved of the outcome. Her's how it shook out in the words of the late, great Sonny Hutchins:

"Darrell was a great driver. He said I was a dirty driver, too," Hutchins says, smiling. "We ran a match race at Langley Speedway one night, Darrell, Ray Hendrick and myself. Ray won, I ran second and Darrell was third. He said I was a rotten driver."

--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

It is a good looking car, even for a Toyota. The pictures of D.W. don't really add anything to the beauty of the car, in fact, quite the opposite. However, knowing that Mikey will be driving, and crashing is inevitable, I would imagine D.W. is going to get that "facial surgery" he so truly needs. One side note here, just a personal thing: The NAPA commercial with Truex and Mikey which ends with Mikey shaking his more than ample rear end at the camera is one of the most disgusting things I've seen on TV. There is one other, almost as digusting, which the Rules of Engagement prevent me from identifying.


--
What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

So, the prediction is a "nose job" at Talladega! That commercial to which you refer is indeed disgusting.


--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

That was the night he must have been sniffing fumes from his secret Daytona Fuel Additive!

For those who don't remember the December 2007 incident:

Apparently, a college student in the Charlotte,N.C. area came upon an accident at 2:00 AM. The student said it was a Toyota Land cruiser, and the accident looked sooo bad, the student didn't think there would be any survivors.

The student called 911, hung up the phone, then was surprised to see Michael Waltrip emerge from the vehicle, talk with him/her for a minute, then leave the scene of the accident.

Witness: "I didn't think anybody was alive in there" after Waltrip accident

``He was bleeding from his forehead and had some cuts on his fingers and arms,'' she said. ``I told him `You are really lucky you are alive. I didn't think anybody was alive in there.' We sort of talked for a minute or two, and I told him 911 was on the way, and he just turned around and started walking home.

``I didn't know what to say or what to do. He had a T-shirt and sweat pants and socks on, he might have taken his shoes off in the car, but I wasn't sure. And he just turned around and started walking home in his socks.''

Waltrip was charged Saturday evening with reckless driving and failing to report an accident, both misdemeanors. He told police he fell asleep the wheel and woke up to find his car overturned in the gravel.

Waltrip has a May 14 court date in Newton on the charges.

NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said NASCAR would talk with Waltrip on Friday in Texas.

--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

I'll tell you something else that is disgusting. Go to Twitter and watch how Mikey and ex-Sprint girl Paige Duke flirt with each other. I've seen where other folks have posted for them to "Get A Room" several times. People are beginning to wonder whats going on. Mikey is Un-Attached, again, and I guess everything is fair in Love, War and NASCAR.

It is a good looking car Wally. I hope that Mikey does good with it at Talladega. Just think if Mikey wins then Darrell will cross the finish line first since his picture is on the front of the car. Then NASCAR can give him another win. To be serious though, it is a good tribute to someone that has really made his mark in not just NASCAR but in automobile racing in general. Good luck Mikey. Well done.