TALLADEGA, Ala. — Michael Waltrip revealed on Friday that Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd have been asked about driving a Toyota next season — and he was emphatic about who was doing the wooing.
Jack Roush and other team owners have speculated Toyota drastically will change the role of a manufacturer in NASCAR, opening its wallet to outspend rivals while bypassing its teams to recruit drivers and crewmembers directly.
But Waltrip, who will field two Camrys in both the Cup and Busch series next season, said his team is handling all negotiations on incoming personnel without any help from the Japanese manufacturer.
"Every time I read something, it says, 'Toyota is after Ricky Rudd, Toyota is after crewmembers,'" Waltrip said. "They're not. They're committed to me to help build cars and engines. It's not anything unlike Richard Childress gets help from General Motors or Robert Yates gets help from Ford. It's going to cost me $20 million to run a competitive team and most of that comes from NAPA. It's not Toyota."
Toyota will enter Cup without a powerhouse among its three-team lineup. Waltrip's team has raced primarily in Busch, Red Bull Racing is a start-up, and Bill Davis Racing has slumped recently. But Toyota has found success in the Craftsman Truck Series with a similar approach, and it's expected the manufacturer will have an established team in its stable by 2008.
Waltrip was miffed by a report that labeled him a "Trojan horse" in Toyota's Cup plans.
"I thought that was a compliment until I read on the Internet what it was," he said. "It means I'm just a figurehead for Toyota. I promise you I'm not. It's my money. I'm the one making this huge investment."
Waltrip would bring Toyota a star if he can put Jarrett in a Camry. The 1999 champion, who has won 32 races, was unavailable for comment Friday, but he said a few weeks ago he was talking with other teams. His Robert Yates Racing contract expires at the end of the season.
"He's a champion, he's a friend," Waltrip said. "I've asked him but haven't had any response."
Waltrip said Rudd was under consideration for a part-time ride this year but wasn't an option for '07.
Aside from Jarrett, the top two free agents are Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears, and both seem on the verge of re-signing with their teams.
After winning at Phoenix International Raceway last week, Harvick said he wanted to stay with Richard Childress, and the car owner confirmed Friday they are near a deal.
"It is not a money issue, we both want to get it done," Childress said. "It should happen. It's just a matter of time."
Mears said he wants to stay at Chip Ganassi Racing and has talked to Ganassi about an extension.
Nervous time:
Waltrip was 41st in the final practice before qualifying Saturday morning for Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Because his car is outside the top 35 in points, he doesn't have a guaranteed spot in the race.
Waltrip turns 43 Sunday, and he probably will need to post a qualifying speed that ranks below his age to make the 43-car field.
"It wouldn't be devastating, but it would be disappointing," said Waltrip, whose four victories have come at the restrictor-plate tracks of Daytona International Speedway and Talladega. "If we do have a problem getting in, I'll have to nose around and look for another ride. I wouldn't want to miss that race."
