After a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career that spans nearly 33 years, Owensboro, KY native Michael Waltrip will retire following next month’s 59th annual Daytona 500.
Waltrip announced the news to his fans through his Twitter account Thursday afternoon.
“I can reflect on my career with a lot of emotions, and one company that has been there for me is Aaron’s,” Waltrip said. “I started working with Aaron’s almost 20 years ago with some commercials and six XFINITY Series races when I had a team behind my house. We have been together ever since, and it makes my heart smile thinking about all the great things we did together.”
For his final running in the “Great American Race”, Waltrip will pilot the No. 15 Aaron’s #ThanksMikey Toyota for Premium Motorsports. The team owned by longtime NASCAR owner Jay Robinson holds a charter, guaranteeing the 53-year-old Waltrip a spot in the Feb. 26 race at Daytona International Speedway.
Atlanta-based Aaron’s has supported Waltrip for more than 17 seasons. The Kentuckian also has a multi-year agreement to serve as the company’s spokesman.
“We can’t wait to watch Michael compete in his last race with the same flair and thrills he’s been known for throughout his amazing career, and it will be a nostalgic moment to see him and the Aaron’s logo flash across the finish line together,” said John Robinson, Aaron’s, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer in a statement.
“Michael has been a great sportsman and partner to Aaron’s.”
Waltrip owns four Cup Series wins, including two in the Daytona 500. Following his 30th run in the elite series season-opener, Waltrip will retire with 784 career starts dating back to Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1985 driving for Dick Bahre.
17 years later, Waltrip earned his first career win in the 2001 Daytona 500. He followed it up by winning his second Daytona 500 in the rain-shortened event in 2003. Waltrip’s other two Cup triumphs also came at restrictor plate tracks: the 2002 July race at Daytona and the 2003 fall Sept. race at Daytona’s sister track, Talladega Superspeedway.
“The Daytona 500 in a lot of ways defines a racer’s career, and I am proud to have been able to win our sport’s most prestigious race twice,” Waltrip said. “I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows at the Great American Race. But when you are a NASCAR driver who has the privilege of racing here, you love Daytona no matter what happens.
“In my 30th and final Daytona 500, I am just going to enjoy every moment and be happy that Aaron’s has given me one more opportunity to hoist the Harley J. Earle trophy.”
The young brother of NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip is also an 11-time winner in the XFINITY Series and holds one victory in the Camping World Truck Series in his last start in 2011 at Daytona. His last year of full-time Cup competition came in 2009.
Waltrip is entering his sixth year as a FOX Sports analyst, a role he has maintained since 2012.
Thank you @AaronsInc @ToyotaRacing @nascar and the #NASCAR fans that have supported me all these years. It's been a fun ride. pic.twitter.com/UPq4Uf94xT
— Michael Waltrip (@MW55) January 26, 2017
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