Waltrip denies NAPA looking to pull sponsorship
SCENEDAILY
TALLADEGA, Ala. - Owner/driver Michael Waltrip knows that his team needs to overcome its struggles this season, but he is disputing published reports that his No. 55 Toyota sponsor, NAPA, is exploring options elsewhere.
Waltrip, who has not made a race since the season-opening Daytona 500, started a new team this season and says struggles are inherent to that. NAPA and Waltrip have long been loyal partners, with the sponsor working with Waltrip at Dale Earnhardt Inc. before moving to his team in a partnership with Bill Davis Racing last year to now working with Michael Waltrip Racing in its debut year.
"NAPA has ... had a lot of trials and tribulations; they've been really very supportive of getting this whole thing turned around. ...," Waltrip said Friday morning at Talladega Superspeedway.
"This is the first year. I read on the Internet that NAPA was looking. They are; they're looking for us to do a better job."