By Kellyanne Lynch, mikeypower.com
24 February 2006
Michael Waltrip qualified 33rd today for the Auto Club 500, this weekend's Nextel Cup race at California Speedway. He also participated in practice sessions for both the Cup and Busch Series races.
Mikey's #15 Napa Auto Parts Dodge ranked 31st in first Nextel Cup practice, and was 0.811 seconds behind session leader Joe Nemechek. He turned his best lap in 39.789 seconds at 180.955 MPH before scraping the wall. NASCAR excused him for taking his turn third in qualifying. He took to the track toward the end of time trials, and completed a 39.462-second lap at 182.454 MPH; he trailed pole-winner Kurt Busch by 0.977 seconds.
In Busch Series practice, Mikey's #99 Aaron's Dream Machine was 27th on the speed charts with a 40.266-second lap at 178.811 MPH. He was 0.801 seconds behind pace setter Ryan Newman. Tomorrow, he is slated to roll off 18th in qualifying order.
Coverage of the Busch Series' Stater Bros. 300 begins tomorrow at 6:00pm ET on FX, and the Auto Club 500 airs on FOX the next day at 3:30pm.
