Waltrip sorry - Embarrassed driver apologizes for cheating scandal

SportsIllustrated ^ | February 15, 2007

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Waltrip sorry

Embarrassed driver apologizes for cheating scandal

February 15, 2007

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Michael Waltrip humbly apologized Thursday for his team's role in NASCAR's biggest cheating scandal, saying he was so embarrassed he almost pulled out of Daytona 500 preparations.

Waltrip, who lost two key crew members Wednesday when NASCAR penalized his team for using a fuel additive, said he had to be talked into racing by his wife and Toyota officials who are seething that Waltrip tainted their Nextel Cup debut.

"I didn't want to damage the integrity of the sport further by going out there and having people doing out there?"' Waltrip said. "I came real close to not running today."

Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, needs to race his way into NASCAR's premier event in a qualifying race Thursday.

After his car failed inspection Sunday, Waltrip said he was devastated when his 9-year-old wondered why her father had cheated.

"That will hurt you pretty bad,"

[NonValueAdded]

Well, it is the first apology I've heard in a long time that actually sounds like an apology.

[willgolfforfood]

I can't believe you posted something from Sports Illustrated, with no swimsuit pictures. Don't we have rules on this forum?

[Blueflag]

But only the body painting pics meet our, ahem, standards ....

[GeorgiaDawg32]

yup..first one I've seen in a long time that didn't start.."I'd gladly apologize if anyone has been offended..yada yada yada.."..(the typical non-apology apology)..

[Niteranger68]

I generally like Mikey, but I think he knew about this from the beginning. Just watch his initial interview once this was discovered. Oil getting up into the intake manifold? Give me a damn break.

[mewzilla]

Sounds like NASCAR really dropped the hammer on these guys.

Good for NASCAR.

[libs_kma]

Well, he could pull a barry Bonds and say that if he used additives he had no knowledge of it.

Kudos to him for not insulting our intelligence like Bonds.

[Blueflag]

When I raced, I once got oil up into the intake manifold, but only when I briefly passed 11,000 RPM and kinda got oil EVERYWHERE ...

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[SF Republican]

Well, it is the first apology I've heard in a long time that actually sounds like an apology. - his car was Toyota first foray into NASCAR sponsorship (I believe I heard) they are probably not too happy and he has been advised his sincerity better appear very real. That or hari-kari.

[Carl LaFong]

His punishment: Must make one clockwise lap against the field.

[willgolfforfood]

u duh man.

[Niteranger68]

When I raced, I once got oil up into the intake manifold, but only when I briefly passed 11,000 RPM and kinda got oil EVERYWHERE ...

LOL. Yea, I think Mikey’s connecting rods were still attached.

[ExpatGator]

"damage the integrity of the sport further"

Integrity of the sport??!!??!!??

I grew up in Daytona and knew from fairly close association that there is NO integrity in the sport. It is all cheat, all the time. It is just how it's done. Waltrip is only putting on a hound-dog show to make up to Toyota and smooth things out. Toyota is only "seething" because they got caught.

What is remarkable is that NASCAR and the Frances (1 and the same) allowed this scandal to develop by actually going after these infractions the way they have.

[mtbrandon49]

"Waltrip said he was devastated when his 9-year-old wondered why her father had cheated."

Sometimes only a child can make you feel like you're an inch tall.

[Sax]

Smoky Yunick. If for no other reason Smoky deserves a place due to his “creative use” of the NASCAR rule book. His infamous black and gold number 13 Chevelle at first glance looked “stock,” but when sitting beside it’s showroom cousin revealed it to be 7/8ths size replica. When NASCAR mandated a maximum fuel tank size, Smokey noticed there was no rule about the length of the fuel line. He ran a fuel line back and forth the length of the car four times allowing his drivers to carry an extra five gallons of gas. The man was a genius, an evil genius to the NASCAR Tech inspectors, but a genius none the less.

[Old Professer]

Fuel additive? No brand name? Idiot, he's missing an endorsement opportunity.

[CivilWarguy]

He's sorry--for getting caught.

And if anybody was really trying to police this sport, they'd ban Waltrip and the whole team from Daytona.

[relictele]

This is what NASCAR has been reduced to:

-events off the track receive more publicity then the races
-drivers as pitchmen first, racers second
-cheating 'scandals' - does anyone think good/winning teams didn't have an advantage in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s? Does anyone think they did it honestly 100% of the time?

I'd like to get excited for the Daytona 500 'race' but I can go to an overpass and get a great view of 3 lanes of gridlock in 3-D rather than watch Sunday's restrictor plate borefest.