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Waltrip Begins Rebuilding Process
Waltrip expected that reaction from some and said president Mike Helton encouraged him to race Thursday when all Waltrip wanted to do was go home and hide.
"I came real close to not racing today," Waltrip said hours before his qualifying event. "I just felt like there would be a cloud over whatever I accomplished today because of what happened."
  NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, with his daughter Macy on his shoulders, talks with fellow Toyota driver Dale Jarrett before one of the NASCAR Gatorade Duel races at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux - AP) |
He was contrite at his morning news conference, and that didn't change after he secured his spot in the field.
Toyota officials, conspicuously absent in his morning apology session, gathered around him after the race.
"I couldn't be happier for Michael and his organization. ... What a turn of events," said Lee White, general manager of Toyota Racing Development. "Michael Waltrip carried two cars in _ that's 7,000 pounds _ a pretty heavy load for the guy."
Teammate Dale Jarrett rushed to Waltrip's side on a chaotic pit road, grabbing his boss in a bear hug.
"Proud of you. Want you to know that," Jarrett said.
"I appreciate that," Waltrip said, lips quivering.
"I knew you could handle it, anyway," Jarrett replied.
But someone on Waltrip's crew thought otherwise, worrying so much that Waltrip wouldn't make the race that the team member broke the code of the Nextel Cup garage by tampering with the fuel.
NASCAR suspended Hyder and competition director Bobby Kennedy indefinitely; Waltrip blamed an unidentified individual or individuals within his team, adding that no one had been fired.
But Waltrip's profession of innocence has not gone unquestioned _ even by former teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.
"There's a fine line there because when the driver is the owner he should have quite a bit of knowledge of what's going on," Earnhardt said. "It makes me want to kind of believe Michael when he says he was unaware of it. As a driver, I would take that for what it's worth. But it's hard to imagine as an owner that you wouldn't know something about that."
Jarrett defended his boss, however, pointing out Waltrip has worked tirelessly to put together the flagship Toyota team.
"He's worn so many hats coming in here. It's incredible," Jarrett said. "He proved right there how good a race driver he is. I told him before the race that if anybody here could get the car in he could do it, and he went out and did it."
Waltrip now will focus on Sunday's race and trying to restore his image.
"We've just got to start trying to rebuild people's faith and trust," he said. "For all those fans who bought a NAPA hat or a Michael Waltrip shirt, I just hope you can wear it proudly again soon."
