#15 Napa Chev is back

[NAPAFISH]

Eat all your crow!!!!!!!!!!! DEI re-signs Mikey

[OUTDOORNUT]

Just shows DEI is committed to something......running in the middle of the pack! ha ha

I'll eat crow, for now, but I'll also go out on a limb (big thick oak limb at that)and say Waltrip will never make a Chase!

It actually makes me feel better, knowing that the 15 car (which has potential) will never be a serious threat for a while!

[TNFL]

I'd say they won't make the chase or even win another race as long as mikey is in the #15Napabestwesterndominoschapionsparkplugjustformencococolaarronsdreammachinechexsnackschevy.

But I sure will enjoy all those commercials. Maybe he should be an actor, he's very convincing.

[PERCHJR]

SWEET!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[JohnMickish]

I sure am glad DEI signed him because I thought for a minute that he might be driving the 6 next year. Wow, that was a close one! Anyways good for Mike, and no he won't win or make the chase.

[NAPAFISH]

Hey TNFL you forgot Klaussner Furniture!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[eyepatrol]

I for one think he will win another race. In fact, I think he may even make the chase sometime too. I just feel with Mikey having the Eury's on his team, he'll show that he's better than what his past history has shown. Now, I know that goes against some of what's being said here, and who knows, maybe I'm wrong, but I just feel he's got a chance to win and also make the chase.

JMO

[Sifty]

I know alot of people think that mikey is into saying the right things. But I like him. He seems to be a all around good guy. I hope that they can get things worked out and he does win a race or two.

Sifty

[JohnMickish]

I'm sure I speak for alot of the guys here, and all around, but if Mikey won a non restrictor plate race he'd get alot more respect. A win is a win but if a guy could only win at Martinsville and Pheonix he really wouldn't be considered a threat to knock one out at any time.

[marine_man]

I was just on nascar.com and came across this article.. sounds like things have changed in the last couple of weeks:

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and Michael Waltrip announced Friday they will no longer be together beginning in 2006.

The DEI No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet has been driven by Michael Waltrip, a fan-favorite, in the Nextel Cup Series for the past five seasons where he earned four victories, including two Daytona 500 wins in 2001 and 2003.

"All of us at DEI want to thank Michael for all his contributions to our organization and wish him well as he moves on in his career," said Richie Gilmore, DEI's Vice President of Motorsports.

"Dale and Teresa gave me an opportunity with a winning organization that I have been proud to be an integral part of for the last five years," Waltrip said.

"My professional relationship with DEI is ending, but my personal relationships have ties that are deep-rooted. Therefore, my decision to leave DEI is a difficult one.

"Our individual visions for the future are taking different courses, but our goals are the same- to be successful in the premier division of NASCAR."

"DEI's Nextel Cup focus for 2006," continued Gilmore, "will be to sharpen every entity of our race teams by preparing the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, driven by Martin Truex Jr., and the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., for the championship.

"Additionally, we are working diligently with our current partner, NAPA, on returning to the No. 15 car."

marine_man

[OUTDOORNUT]

You beat me to it!

theNapabestwesterndominoschapionsparkplugjustformencococolaarronsdreammachinechexsnackschevy is no longer!! !

[lawdog]

I was always curious why I could find no corroboration to the NAPAFISH's story... Guess I know now!!!!

[HOF#13]

I had seen a few brief articles that backed NAPA's story. Michael even said not too long ago that he expected it to be taken care of soon. I wonder what happened? I wonder if they keep the 15 running and who will be behind the wheel. Interesting. I'm kinda bummed...I liked seeing Mikey in the 15 NAPA Cevy.

[Sifty]

Where's mikey going to ?

Sifty

[lawdog]

I see Jayski says Mikey might be going to 0 car now driven by Mike Bliss for next year and he may take NAPA with him.

That seems like it would be a big set back for both Mikey and DEI if you ask me...

[Sifty]

I just saw that too. It looks like Bliss will be looking for a ride.

Sifty

[JohnMickish]

It sounded like Mikey was going to get a crappy crew so he chose to leave. Smart move as the Jr-Jr connection is pretty tight. Mikey would never prosper in this new configuration.

[JohnMickish]

This just came off of Jaskies site, NAPAFISH won't like this at all.

NAPA to the #6? hearing NAPA is talking with Roush Racing about being a sponsor on the #6 Ford in 2006, no idea if Michael Waltrip would do a one-year stint in the #6.(7-15-2005)

[LMITOUT]

Well I can't see McMurray driving a car sponsored by Viagra. It fits for that old Martin, but not a young guy. Maybe NAPA with McMurray and Waltrip with no car or sponsor!

Don't let the door hit you on the way out Mikey!

[NAPAFISH]

You guys were right I will finally concede. All year long I was defending the whole organization. Now I think they blew it. Now I am little bitter per say. They know that Stiffy and DJR dont get along, so why not give him to Mikey?? Why would they separate Truex from Manion, I dont see it.

I really wish the old man was still around. He would have had this straightened out. I think Mikey was the voice of DEI. Far from the top driver. It seems every team has a voice, Penske has Rusty, Roush has Martin or maybe Biffle so on and on. A all around driver who is good withh interviews and sponsors. Forgive me Dale Jr fans but I have to say that even though he is the most popular, his interviews are not as charismatic as Mikeys. Listen to him speak "car was fast" "ah ah ah ah" "guys did a great job in the pits"....... pretty bland, but I guess your average Joe right??

Now they will run 2 cars again, How do they expect to keep up with Hendrik and Roush and Gibbs (possibly going to four cars)??? The more cars you have the more testing, more different setups you can run. Napa is a huge sponsor like in the tens of millions dollars. How can you walk away from the sponsor???????

[HOF#13]

I agree NAPA in that I hate to see Mikey leave DEI...But from what I have read, DEI did not dump Mikey, he chose not to sign his contract and is leaving on his own. I do know that one sticking point for Mikey was that DEI would not promise him that Tony Eury, Jr. would be his crew chief next year, and he wasn't real happy about that.

I wish it would have worked out. Mikey, Jr, and Truex would have made for a good trio for DEI.

[marine_man]

I don't know for sure.. but I think you could bet on the fact the Mikey will be back in a toyota car if / whenever they enter the sport...

marine_man

[lawdog]

I would think that's a good bet given DW's Toyota connections. I think it depends though on where he lands for next year. If he goes to a not so good ride (like the zero for instance) he may fall off the face of the earth. If he gets a good ride and does OK in it though, he will be a commodity for Toyota when (not IF in my mind) they come Cup racing. The ol' Aaron's Dream Machine might be the first Toyota in the Busch series too...