By Kellyanne Lynch, mikeypower.com
10 February 2006
Although he ranked at the bottom of the speed charts in both sessions, Michael Waltrip proved strong in Budweiser Shootout practice today at Daytona International Speedway. His #55 Napa Auto Parts Dodge ran the second fastest average speed in happy hour.
Mikey opted to fly solo throughout most, if not all of first practice. He turned three laps toward the beginning, took a long break as his crew worked on his car, and came back for eight more circuits at the end. His third lap was initially his fastest, at 49.240 seconds at 182.779; he was 7.469 seconds behind Dale Earnhardt Jr, who led at the time. He ultimately ranked last with a 49.044-second circuit at 183.509 MPH. He trailed session leader Kyle Busch by 1.761 seconds.
Mikey took to the track immediately in second practice. During that nineteen-lap fuel mileage run, he hung with the pack. He was racing side-by-side with Dale Earnhardt Jr when he ran out of fuel coming off Turn 4. He went to the garage, and did not return to the track. He ranked 19th of 21 drivers, with a 47.550-second lap at 189.274 MPH that trailed fastest lap-turner Tony Stewart by 4.625 seconds. He had the second fastest average speed of the session; Carl Edwards' average was 0.387 seconds quicker.
Be sure to watch the Budweiser Shootout! Mikey drew the last qualifying position, and will therefore start 21st. Coverage begins tomorrow at 8:00pm ET on TNT.
