No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Michael Waltrip makes his third 2012 start Saturday night in the 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. Two of his favorite memories came at this race as both a driver and a fan. In 2001 he finished second to Dale Earnhardt Jr. completing a Dale Earnhardt Inc. sweep of the two top spots just months after Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life.
In 1984 Waltrip drove with friends from their Owensboro, Ky., home to sit in the stands and watch his older brother Darrell race. It was the weekend Richard Petty earned his 200th victory and President Ronald Reagan gave the command to start the race. Waltrip and friends weren’t invited to the post-race picnic with President Reagan, but Waltrip remembers watching the president who he admires most celebrate with one of the most iconic figures in NASCAR.
IN HIS NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK “IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE” WALTRIP RECALLED THE 2001 JULY RACE AT DAYTONA
“Crossing the ...
Original Story:
|
July 05, 2012
2
1
6
13
6
5
10
9
