Photo Credit: Mike Mercurio
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will drive the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway on May 3.
Waltrip, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, replaces 22-year-old Brett Moffitt who has driven MWR’s No. 55 since the March 22nd race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.
“Talladega is a place where I know we will be very competitive,” said Waltrip who owns four restrictor plate victories including a Talladega win in the fall of 2003. “This will be my 58th Sprint Cup start at Talladega so believe me when I tell you Talladega is some of the best racing in the world and I’m glad I’ll get to be part of it again in the Aaron’s Dream Machine.”
Waltrip’s relationship with Aaron’s began in 2000.
“We’ve had a long-standing relationship with MWR and Michael is part of the Aaron’s family – he will represent Aaron’s well as the No. 55 Dream Machine driver at Talladega,” said Andrea Freeman, Vice President of Marketing, Aaron’s, Inc. “Talladega proves to be one of the most exciting races in the Sprint Cup Series and we know Michael will be in his element at this race.”
Moffitt has filled-in for Brian Vickers since a recurring bout with blood clots sidelined Vickers.
Waltrip owns 779 Sprint Cup starts and finished 26th driving the No. 55 in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 22 in his lone 2015 start.
The May 3 and Oct. 25 Talladega races are the only remaining races Waltrip is scheduled to drive this season.
