Daytona Beach,FL (Sports Network) - Michael Waltrip will compete in next
month's Daytona 500, diving the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing.
Waltrip, who won the Daytona 500 in 2001 and '03, will drive the car in the
Feb. 24 season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway before David
Stremme is behind the wheel for the remainder of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series
season.
This year's Daytona 500 will mark Swan Racing's debut in Sprint Cup since
announcing its new ownership earlier this month. Waltrip will be reunited with
former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. Steve Hmiel, who has also worked with Waltrip
in the past, was recently named competition director for the team.
"I am thrilled to drive the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing and the chance to
win a third Daytona 500," Waltrip said. "Reuniting with Tony Jr. and Steve
Hmiel brings back a lot of good memories and is going to create new ones."
Waltrip qualified for 25 consecutive Daytona 500s from 1987 to 2011. He failed
to qualify for last year's race, driving the No. 40 Toyota for Hillman Racing.
Waltrip is the co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, which owns three teams in
NASCAR's premier series. He is scheduled to drive the No. 55 car in both
Talladega races and the July event at Daytona.
Sprint Cup teams are testing at Daytona Thursday through Saturday,
familiarizing themselves with the new 2013 car and preparing for the Daytona
500.
The Sports Network