Michael Waltrip Racing extends Toyota association
Michael Waltrip Racing on Saturday announced the extension of its partnership with Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series. The new agreement will keep the organization with the manufacturer through the end of 2012.
MWR launched its full-time Cup Series teams in 2007 during Toyota's inaugural year in the premier series. With Toyota's support, MWR has won three poles, the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 and competed for a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup until the final regular-season event at Richmond in September.
In 2010, MWR will field the No. 00 Toyota Camry full time with driver David Reutimann, the No. 55 Toyota with Michael Waltrip on a limited basis and the No. 56 Toyota full time with Martin Truex Jr. Additionally, MWR signed a two-year technical alliance extension with JTG Daugherty Racing to field the No. 47 Toyota with driver Marcos Ambrose.
MWR receives engines from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) out of Costa Mesa, Calif., along with Red Bull Racing. TRD's Salisbury, N.C., facility supports MWR's vehicle dynamics and development, aerodynamics, tire data analysis and race strategy programs.
"Simply put, MWR would not exist without Toyota," co-owner Michael Waltrip said. "Toyota put us on the map in 2007 and that's why I was so proud to deliver TRD's engine facility its first NASCAR Sprint Cup win. For MWR to know it has Toyota's support through the 2012 season is phenomenal and delivers our organization what every team in the garage desires—stability.
"Michael Waltrip Racing was a part of Toyota's 'freshman class' and they have shown tremendous progress, as well as dedication to Toyota's goal of winning the manufacturers' championship," said Lee White, president of TRD. "Michael has always been a tremendous spokesperson for Toyota and continues to impress all of us with the moves he is making to elevate MWR to a championship caliber organization."
This announcement comes on the heels of MWR announcing 100 percent renewal with its existing sponsors, a new relationship with TUMS as a primary and associate sponsor on the No. 00, a two-year extension with JTG Daugherty Racing and a new partnership with its Nationwide Series team with Gary and Blake Bechtel forming Diamond-Waltrip Racing to field Camrys for 18-year-old phenom Trevor Bayne.
"We have come a long way in a short period of time," Waltrip added. "We have a lot more work ahead of us, but we are truly blessed that, in these times, we have so many positive announcements for our partners and employees."
More on Diamond-Waltrip, Bayne
Gary Bechtel purchased Waltrip's No. 99 Nationwide operation and has retained MWR to manage the team as it races full time in the series next season.
When Bechtel fielded his own Nationwide and Cup teams, which last ran in 1999 and 1998, respectively, he raced under the Diamond Ridge Racing banner.
In addition, Waltrip has an option on Bayne's services in the Cup Series through 2014, intending to run him in a minimum of seven races in 2011 and a full schedule in 2012.
Aaron's will sponsor a portion of Bayne's Nationwide schedule next year. Jerry Baxter, who has worked with Bayne in his races with MWR this season, will remain as crew chief.
"Since the first race we ran with MWR [June 6 at Nashville] we started working on this," Bayne said Saturday. "It's great to see it finally come together and be able to announce it and to know that we're going full-time racing next year. I think that really helps the team to have the solidity in crew chief and driver combination, being able to work together and not just be bouncing around from race to race."
Bayne won the pole at O'Reilly Raceway Park in July and finished seventh. He matched that season-best result at Richmond in September.
Sporting News Wire Service contributed to this report.
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