CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip says it took him about two seconds to figure out that his Nextel Cup future was tied to Toyota -- as a team owner.
Actually, Waltrip plans to operate as owner/driver of Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007 as part of a three-team/six-car lineup of Toyota Camrys in NASCAR's premier series.
Waltrip is joined by Bill Davis Racing and Team Red Bull, with each organization fielding two-car Camry entries. Toyota plans to launch its first Cup season at the Daytona 500 in February 2007.
Waltrip won the Daytona 500 twice driving Chevrolet Monte Carlos owned by Dale Earnhardt Inc., which released him after last season and set into motion the search for his next NASCAR opportunity.
Waltrip is driving for Davis this year.
"I never dreamed that I would own a [Cup] team," Waltrip said Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway at the close of Day 2 of the 23rd annual NASCAR Nextel Media Tour, which runs through Thursday. "Now, I've got the cars, and I can race people. It's not like I'm going to take a mule to the Kentucky Derby. I'm going to take a race car to the Daytona 500."
Waltrip said his decision to partner with Toyota Racing Development was galvanized after touring its headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., in the summer.
"It took me about two seconds to realize that, 'Darn, if I can plug into this, I can go race those guys,'" said Waltrip, whose NASCAR Busch Series team has won four races. "Toyota's foray into Cup racing means that cats like me can own teams.
"It's a new breed of owners that is going to be able to race forward because of Toyota."
Davis, however, represents old school NASCAR, having been involved in the Cup Series for 18 years. His team has scored 18 Cup victories, winning the 2002 Daytona 500 with Ward Burton.
Davis and his team in High Point, N.C., have been key players in Toyota's entry into NASCAR. In 2004, the team partnered with Toyota to field three Tundras in the Craftsman Truck Series. Davis' team, which has two Truck victories, again is fielding three Tundras in 2006.
Team Red Bull's Cup operation is to be overseen by general manager Marty Gaunt in Mooresville, N.C.
The world's leading energy drink, Red Bull is new to NASCAR.
But the innovative company has expanded its Formula One program to two teams for 2006, including a full-time seat for Californian Scott Speed.
