Late Race Contact Causes 24th Place Finish

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 14, 2009) Michael Waltrip finished Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Camping World 300 in the 24th position after making contact with the spinning No. 1 car of Mike Bliss on Lap 89.  The contact caused the crew to make excessive repairs to the right-side of the Aaron’s Dream Machine and put Waltrip down one-lap with 27-laps to go.

Waltrip started the 120-lap race in the 11th position and quickly moved up as high as fourth but was fighting a tight condition early in the race. Crew Chief Jerry Baxter made several chassis changes during pit stops and did make the Dream Machine to turn better through the high-banked turns.  Waltrip was moving back toward the front when Bliss spun. 

Waltrip did receive the Aaron’s Lucky Dog free pass when caution fell on lap 109 and got back on the lead lap.  Restarting 33rd with seven laps to go, Waltrip did a masterful job picking up nine positions in the closing laps to finish 24th.

The next race for Michael Waltrip in the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine will be April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway.