Michael WaltripMichael Waltrip failed to qualify at Pocono, making it 12 DNQs in 14 races this season, and adding more fuel to the fires of speculation surrounding his team.

Unconfirmed reports continue to circulate about Waltrip refunding between $300,000 and $400,000 per missed race to his sponsor, NAPA Auto Parts, and about the unhappiness of Dale Jarrett’s sponsor, UPS. Jarrett also failed to make Sunday’s race — his third DNQ in the last five events — and there is talk in the Nextel Cup garage that he could be released by MWR, or moved to another operation.

As a team, Waltrip, Jarrett and rookie David Reutimann have qualified just 22 times in 42 attempts this season.

Motorsports Soapbox/Dave Moody

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9 Responses to “Reports of sponsor unhappiness swirl at MWR”  

  1. 1 PONTIAC LOVER!!

    NAH NAH NAH NAH HEY HEY HEY GOOD BYE MWR!!!!!!!

    THIS IS WHAT I SEE HAPPENING NAPA WILL END UP AS A CO SPONSOR OF THE 31 CR. JARRETT AND UPS WILL END AS THE 4TH TEAM AT GIBBS, AND REUTIMANN AND THE 00 WILL END UP AS THE 3RD TEAM FOR Bill Davis Racing.

    AS FOR MIKEY I THINK HE MIGHT DISAPPEAR FOR AWHILE…

    NOW THATS JUST WHAT I THINK MIGHT HAPPEN… WHAT DOES EVERYONE ELSE THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS??

  2. 2 dalejr4life

    micheal walrtip is not in the negative points any more and
    he isnt last in the points i think he has like 52 points and
    is 2 places above dead last

  3. 3 gigolo george

    As a Great American, let’s call him Ric “Nature Boy” Flair always says”, Woooooooooooo!!!”

  4. 4 Jarrod

    George, now that made me laugh! I haven’t thought about that guy in at least 15 years..

  5. 5 Petty Fan 4 Life

    Ow come on guys lets not try to say anything negative about MWR. Mikey has had alot on his plate with running three teams and helping to get Toyota going. Plus the little fuel incident didn’t help the guy

  6. 6 Joe

    It would also help if Waltrip was at least a semi decent driver. Lets face it, the guy has been a loser his entire race career

  7. 7 Glenstapo

    Wasn’t M. Waltrip in a Pontiac for years at Bahari?

    He needs to step out of the car, focus on the team and get a top driver (or drivers) in ASAP or he’s done as an owner (he’s already done as a driver).

  8. 8 MWR Fan

    Joe: How can you say that Mike Waltrip dosen’t have any talent? When those guys get there cars figured out they are going to be just fine. Every driver out there has talent. They all know how to drive fast, and they all know how to win. They have all been champions on local tracks, they are the best of the best, that is why they are here in the first place. If you put Jeff Gordon in the 55 do you think he would go out there and be competetive? Between Mikey and DJ they have a total of 2 cup championships, 5 daytona 500 wins, a brickyard win, 2 all star races, and 4 bud shootout wins, and 34 cup series wins. David has won in everything he has ever drove, I have seen him race years ago on the dirt tracks, and he knows how to race a car. MWR is a brand new team, with new cars, new engines, and they are trying to make it in the most competetive auto racing series ever. Give it some more time, Those Toyotas are gonna make some noise sometime in the near future. As for Mikey and Jarrett, I wouldn’t count them out just yet either, they have each got the competitive greatness it takes to exceed in any sport. They are winners, give it time and they will win. As for Napa and UPS, they should have known the teams were going to struggle, Mike Waltrip owned a team last year, and had trouble making races. No matter how bad they are doing I am going to stick with my drivers, even if I only get to cheer for them on Fridays.

  9. 9 Joe

    I am not saying Waltrip shouldnt be there, im stating the guy has been a mediocre driver his entire career. 4 wins in over 20 years? He had some of the best equipment when he was with DEI, and only managed 4 wins while Jr. racked up 17 and believe me I think Jr. is more over rated then anyone. Where did you get 2 championships from? As far as I know Dale Jarrett only won one and Waltrip hasnt won any. Also in no way I brought up Jarrett he has proven himself in the sport. MWR Fan its great you support your driver through thick and thin we need more fans like you, but I was simply stating Waltrip in over view hasnt done anything to impressive in 22 years.

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