Mikey Doesn't Like It

This is a huge weekend in motorsports. The follow-the-leader crowd (Formula 1) will be running the Grand Prix of Monaco, the gussied-up go-karts of IndyCar will be running 500 miles at Indianapolis, and the fendered good old boys of NASCAR will run their longest race of the year, 600 miles at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte.

The race in Charlotte will be bittersweet for one of the most popular drivers on the Nextel Cup circuit. Michael Waltrip, driver of the 55 Napa Dodge, will miss his first Nextel Cup race in many years. Mikey couldn't get the car to run fast enough to place high enough on the qualifying list to get a starting spot, and since only the top 35 in points have guaranteed starting spots and Mikey was 36th, he had to get in on time. I'm sure Mikey is very disappointed, as are his fans and his sponsors who can count on many mentions in every TV interview.

In a weird irony, Michael's brother Darrell missed his first race a few years ago at this very same event, but got in thanks to buying a ride from another driver who's underfunded team managed to make the show. The driver needed Waltrip's money more than he needed to be in the race, so he made the deal. It doesn't look like Mikey will have the same opportunity.

Sunday will be a long day of racing for all gearhead fans. Enjoy!

UPDATE: Mikey will race (from Jayski):

Michael Waltrip's consecutive start streak of 261 races will get to 262. Waltrip's Waltrip-Jasper Racing has bought the ride of the #74 McGlynn Racing Dodge and driver Derrike Cope for the Coca-Cola 600, according to a Waltrip team spokesman. The car will have the NAPA logo on the car and might carry the #55. The owner points goes to McGlynn and not to Waltrip, whose team sits 36th in owner points and likely will drop following the race. Waltrip likely will put a new engine in the car but must use the car Cope qualified in the event.

This is basically what his brother Darrell did (in 2000) when he bought Carl Long's ride in order to make the race.