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Michael Waltrip Plans to Race 2016 Daytona 500

While Michael Waltrip Racing may be shutting down at the end of 2015, fans can still expect to see Michael Waltrip in the Great American Race.

As reported by ESPN, Waltrip plans to compete in the 2016 Daytona 500, with support from Maxwell House that was announced in April.

The announced plans come despite MWR closing its doors following this season, a move many assumed would let Maxwell House out of its contract.

“I’m going to Daytona in February with Maxwell House,” said Waltrip. “There will be some cars left over at MWR and I’m probably in line to get a good Toyota engine, being a partner with those guys from the beginning.”

Should MWR sell all of its cars before the race as part of its dissolution, Waltrip hasn’t ruled out working with another Toyota team. Joe Gibbs Racing is currently maxed out at the four-car limit, but BK Racing has space available, as does Furniture Row Racing, which will be switching to Toyota in 2016 following a longtime partnership with Chevrolet.

Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, with triumphs in 2001 and 2003. The Kentucky native most recently finished 26th while replacing Brian Vickers in the season-opening race.

About the author

Sean returns as a ringer in 2017, contributing once a month because he (gasp!) is living it up in the big city without internet. While he's not consuming race news on the Twitter app and reddit he's writing a ton of short stories and paying the bills by working in marketing.

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rg72

I’ll put a positive spin on this. One less race he’s in the Hollywood Hotel.

Bill W.

Amen

DoninAjax

He’ll be “miked” while he’s in the car. Until he crashes out early and joins the booth. Deja vu all over again.

Capt Spaulding

you had to ruin it, lol

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