Maybe Michael Waltrip has stumbled into a way to fix the problems he's had in NASCAR's Busch Series at Texas Motor Speedway.
Waltrip, who has never finished in the top 10 in a Busch race at TMS, will drive the No. 99 Aaron's Dream Machine Dodge with a special University of Texas paint scheme April 8 in the O'Reilly 300.
The paint scheme is a salute to the Longhorns' 2005 national championship football team.
"My Busch car usually runs great everywhere, but it's never run good down there," said Waltrip, whose best Busch finish at TMS is 11th. "I need some help. Who better to turn to than the national champions?"
Waltrip, who watched Texas' Rose Bowl victory over Southern California, admits he's not a big college football fan, but he has met UT coach Mack Brown, who is from Hickory, N.C.
Waltrip isn't concerned about a possible backlash from non-University of Texas fans.
"I don't think anyone would boo a championship team," Waltrip said. "They certainly deserve it. I know Texans are very proud of that team, and we felt like it would be natural to give them some props and give them a race car they can look at and remember as a gift."
The burnt-orange and white car will be released as a die-cast, and a show-car version can be seen at Aaron's stores in Fort Worth (April 10, 13) and in Richland Hills (April 8).
