For Michael Waltrip, there have always been the shadows.
During his early career he raced in the long shadow cast by his big brother Darrell, a three-time champion.
For the past five years he raced in the shadow of teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., a three-time winner of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award.
When Waltrip finally captured his first victory ? in the 2001 Daytona 500, snapping a 463-race losing streak over 16 years ? his triumph was darkened by the fatal crash of his car owner, Dale Earnhardt.
This season he's starting fresh, having left Dale Earnhardt Inc., to try his luck with Bill Davis Racing.
"DEI will always be a special place for me, but it was time to move on," said Waltrip, who is among the drivers scheduled to participate in the Sound & Speed festival that ends today at Gaylord Entertainment Center and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Waltrip, 42, said he won't look back.
"When you're so into what you're doing now, it's hard to do that," he said. "My focus is on the present, not the past."
Waltrip said he "had an opportunity to stay at DEI if I had chosen to do so, but (after two winless seasons) I needed to go forward." He said he "left on good terms with everybody. ? I have friends there and will always be special for me."
When Waltrip opted to leave DEI, his sponsor, NAPA, went with him.
"That means a lot to me," said Waltrip, whose wit and charisma make him one of the sport's top corporate spokesmen. "It's good to know that they think I can do them a good job."
In addition to running a full Nextel Cup schedule, Waltrip also will continue to field his own Busch Series team.
There has been speculation that Toyota is planning a move into Nextel Cup after a successful venture into NASCAR's third-tier truck series, and that Bill Davis Racing will lead the way.
"I think (NASCAR President) Mike Helton may make some announcement before long," Waltrip said.
"That's really about all I can tell you. I just drive the car, which is the way I want it.
"I've never doubted that I could be a winner. I feel that I'm with a team that can give me that opportunity. Bill Davis Racing is the right place for me."
Although test sessions are under way and the season opener is just a little more than a month away, Waltrip said he was glad to make time for Sound & Speed, proceeds from which go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, and to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Kyle Petty and his wife, Pattie, run the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pattie and Kyle Petty," Waltrip said.
"It's a great cause and I'm always willing to help out. Also I've always been a big country music fan, and getting to sit beside Jo Dee Messina and sign autographs doesn't sound like work to me." ?
