Michael Waltrip's Image Tainted
Has a cheating scandal tarnished this NASCAR driver?
When Michael Waltrip aligned with Dale Earnhardt, Inc in 2001, he was finally propelled into the spotlight after years of being 'Darrell Waltrip's goofy little brother'.
Michael Waltrip has always had a frivolous demeanor, which has made him amicable and media-friendly, but now he was teamed up with the high-profile Dale Earnhardt Jr, and together they starred in several comical commercials such as NAPA and Domino's Pizza. Also, a series of Aaron's commercials with his brother Darrell Waltrip became popular with the fans. He continued to grow as a marketing genius, and has even been accused of attaining more success as a salesman than as a racecar driver.
Five years later, he owns Toyota's flagship organization, with three teams, and major corporate sponsors such as NAPA, Domino's, Burger King, and UPS to name a few. He was even persuasive enough to lure 1999 NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett away from his home of 12 years at Robert Yates Racing.
So this weekend at Daytona was supposed to be one to remember for Waltrip. Well, it has become that, but not the way that he would prefer.
Waltrip's car was confiscated after Daytona 500 qualifying last Sunday as a result of NASCAR officials spotting an illegal substance on the intake manifold. Since then, David Hyder, Waltrip's crew chief, and Bobby Kenneday, Director of Competition for Michael Waltrip Racing were escorted out of Daytona International Speedway and suspended from NASCAR indefinitely. Hyder was fined $100,000, and it is rumored that this ignominy could cost him his job. Michael Waltrip Racing was docked 100 points in the Nextel Cup owner's standings and Waltrip was docked 100 points in the Nextel Cup championship standings.
But it is his image that took the biggest hit. Fans and members of the media are not quick to forget things such as this. This infraction, which has already been referred to as 'Mikey-gate', will likely stick with him for years on end. And worst of all, the big wigs at Toyota may likely be the last ones to forget or forgive. According to sources, Waltrip has already used two of his three strikes with the foreign manufacturer.
Nevertheless, you must applaud Waltrip for remorsefully standing in front of the media answering those thwarting questions. "I'm probably the most depressing guy you'll ever see make the Daytona 500...What we did was the dumbest thing I've ever seen," Waltrip even admitted that he contemplated packing up and going home.
But he stayed at the track and intrepidly raced his way into the Daytona 500, a race that he has won twice. Furthermore, his two other drivers, veteran Dale Jarrett and rookie David Reutimann, will race on Sunday.
Waltrip has spent years building his charismatic image; only time will tell if this dirty cheating scandal will tarnish his reputation among fans and his fellow competitors.
