Cajun Industries Joins MWR for the 51st Daytona 500

// Courtesy : Autostock Images //

Cajun Industries, LLC to Sponsor Three Entities for Daytona

Martinsville, VA (February 4, 2009) – Cajun Industries, LLC a nationally recognized construction leader will sponsor the No. 25 HT Motorsports Toyota Tundra in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway. As well, the Cajun Industries banner will be placed on the hood of the No. 91 MSRP Motorsports driven by Terry Cook and the No. 90 driven by Johnny Chapman in the Nationwide Series. Cajun Industries also will be placed as an associate of the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota driven by David Reutimann in the Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 event. 

We are thrilled to have Cajun Industries on board with our team,” said team owner Jim Harris. “Daytona is the Superbowl for our industry and we are so excited that we were able to introduce Cajun Industries in such a huge event and have them be a part of all three series there. We hope to perform at the rate of success of Cajun Industries who have been awarded time and time again for performance.” 

Cajun Industries, LLC and its subsidiaries are nationally recognized companies providing a broad range of construction services to various markets including government infrastructure, industrial, water quality, power, manufacturing, and oil and gas. Execution-based construction services provided by Cajun include civil, mechanical, deep foundations, offshore and inland marine construction, and specialized heavy equipment hauling.

“Cajun embraces all of the same strict standards of excellence that are part of the HT Motorsports and NASCAR organizations,“ said Ken Jacob, President and CEO of Cajun Industries. “We salute all those involved with the sport. Like the race teams, our success is possible only through the loyalty and dedication to safety, quality and performance of our over 2000 employees.“

Driver Terry Cook echoed Jacob’s sentiments. “At the end of last year we were running so strong and had so many things figured out. So to start off in Daytona with an award-winning company Cajun Industries, a successful team and a new teammate, we have all the tools in place to win races this year. I’m looking forward to it.”

The 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series season kicks off on February 13th with the running of the NextEra Energy Resources 250.

Ambrose, Waltrip Attend Daytona Fan Fest and Gear Up for 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season

// Courtesy : Autostock Images //

Saturday afternoon, Michael Waltrip (MW) and Marcos Ambrose traveled to Daytona Beach , Fla. for the annual Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). 

The two signed autographs for hundreds of fans and also participated in a question and answer session on stage in the infield.

There were a lot of fans wearing NAPA gear asking Waltrip multiple questions. To Ambrose's surprise, there were also a few people in the audience from his home country of Australia with questions as well.

One question in particular posed to Ambrose and Waltrip from the audience was “What was the best racing advice they had ever received and from who?”

MW immediately responded, "Well from Richard Petty of course. He told me ‘if you want to be in the NASCAR Cup Series, then go get a ride in NASCAR Cup and don't be messing around with 100 other things.’ So, I wandered over to Statesville and found a guy named Dick Bahre who had a car. I talked him into letting me drive it and I even bribed him a little bit. Basically, I did whatever I had to do to get in that car. I made my first attempt with him in the Coca-Cola 600 in 1985 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Ever since then, in some form or another, I have been doing this job."

Ambrose followed by saying, "Mine was from Ken Schrader in passing, but I really took it to heart. He said, ‘just don't cause any trouble in NASCAR and you'll be able to hang around for a while.’ So, I've tried not to cause any trouble. If you don't cause any trouble with your team owner, they will keep you in the car and if you don't cause any trouble with NASCAR, you'll get to race and as long as you don't knock out Jr. (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) then the fans will like you."

Both Waltrip and Ambrose wrapped in the evening after four hours that included interaction with fans, a press conference in the DIS media center and interviews with ESPN and SPEED Channel.

The two were also guests on SPEED Channel's Trackside Live with regulars Darrell Waltrip, Steve Byrnes, Larry McReynolds and Jeff Hammond that will air next week.

This week marks a busy week for them and also David Reutimann, who was not able to attend Daytona’s Fan Fest.

Ambrose, Reutimann and Waltrip have a full schedule of media activities. Monday kicks off the week with sit down interviews for "The Road to Daytona", which is a one hour show that will air on FOX leading into Daytona 500.

On Tuesday, Ambrose will be in SPEED Channel's new studio as a guest for the Preseason Thunder show. Following that, he will participate in a NASCAR video teleconference.

On Wednesday, Reutimann and Waltrip gear up for a commercial shoot with Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership. They are shooting a few commercials at a Charlotte area Aaron’s store. One of those commercials will include Waltrip’s daughter Macy.

Speaking of commercials, Waltrip along with NHRA driver Ron Capps wrapped up four this past week in the Charlotte area. When a fan asked Waltrip if there would be new NAPA commercials as funny as the ones last season, Waltrip lit up with a smile assuring his fans there will be.

"We just shot a Toyota commercial that is really funny and we shot four NAPA commercials and they are really good," Waltrip said. "I'll give you a hint. Ron Capps and I go to people’s houses in Charlotte and we play different games with them like Clue, 20 questions or charades. You will love seeing them.

“I am really thankful and I have been lucky over the years to be able to do great commercials thanks to my sponsors,” continued Waltrip. “I appreciate being a part of it all. Now, we have the Aaron's commercials this week and Macy is going to be in one of them. So, I am really looking forward to that."

Ambrose is also on a commercial shoot this week before a Toyota photo shoot Thursday afternoon. NASCAR is shooting a national commercial at Lowe's Motor Speedway featuring the Australian driver.

Ambrose, Reutimann and Waltrip are all getting back into the swing of things before competing in The Great American Race. Ambrose will star in his first Daytona 500 for JTG-Daugherty Racing in the No. 47 Little Debbie® Toyota hoping to top his career-best finish of third-place (Watkins Glen International)

David Reutimann to Pilot the #10 Beringer Camry in Four Nationwide Series Races

// Courtesy : Auto Stock Images //

Mooresville, NC (January 16, 2009) – Braun Racing is pleased to announce the return of Beringer Vineyards to their sponsor line-up for the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. The California based, Beringer Vineyards, will serve as the primary sponsor of Braun Racing’s No. 10 Toyota Camry to be driven by veteran driver, David Reutimann, in four Nationwide Series races in 2009. 

Beringer Vineyards had their first taste of NASCAR sponsorship in 2007 when they served as the primary sponsor of the No.10 Braun Racing entry in one Nationwide Series event. Last season, they expanded their marketing partnership with Braun Racing to three events as primary sponsor with driver, Kyle Busch behind the wheel of the “merlot” colored Camry.

Reutimann, who will pilot the No.10 Beringer Camry at California Speedway in February, Texas Motor Speedway in April, Michigan International Speedway in August and Phoenix International Raceway in November, has been a familiar face in the Nationwide Series since 2002. In 101 cumulative series starts, the Zephyrhills, Fla. native has collected one win (Memphis Motorsports Park, 2007), 15 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes as well as three pole awards. Currently, Reutimann drives full-time for Michael Waltrip in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, piloting the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota.  

“David Reutimann is an extremely talented driver, having finished as high as second in the Nationwide Series standings in 2007 and seventh last season. We feel very fortunate to have him represent Beringer Vineyards during the 2009 racing season. With a talent like him behind the wheel, we look forward to watching the Beringer Camry running up front and competing for wins,” said Barry Sheridan, Vice President of Marketing for Beringer Vineyards.

Reutimann is pleased to have the opportunity to carry the Beringer Vineyards colors and to be able to continue competing in the Nationwide Series, if only on a limited basis.

“I am thankful to have the opportunity to join forces with Braun Racing and Beringer Vineyards during the 2009 season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Reutimann. “Braun Racing is a top-notch organization in the Nationwide Series, something I know very well having competed against them over the last couple of years. I look forward to working with them next season and competing to give Beringer their first win as a primary sponsor in the Nationwide Series.”

About MWR

Michael Waltrip Racing enters three full-time Toyota Camry's in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup. Beginning as a modest family-owned operation in Sherrills Ford (N.C.) nearly a decade ago, team owner, Michael Waltrip quickly developed his team into a top-notch organization.

After overseeing a winning NASCAR Busch Series team, Waltrip raised the bar for MWR and began fielding cars in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series on a limited basis. His trial run as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner (coupled with Toyota's entrance into NASCAR's premier division) was the driving force behind his vision to become a full-time NEXTEL Cup Series owner.

Waltrip will continue to pilot the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry and will be joined on the track in 2009 by David Reutimann, Josh Wise and Marcos Ambrose. The team fields development entries in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with Eddie Sharp Racing and USARacing for Ken and Brett Butler.

Michael Waltrip Racing Holdings LLC is a company formed as a 50-50 partnership between Robert Kauffman, the 44-year-old founder and managing partner of Fortress Investment Group, and Michael Waltrip, who first established the team in 1996.

Lights, Camera, Action!

// Courtesy : Auto Club Speedway //

Lights, Camera, Action!

During the off season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers participate in numerous photo and commercial shoots.

For Michael Waltrip, it is no different. In December, the two-time Daytona 500 champion flew to New York City to shoot a commercial for Auto Club Speedway to promote its upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend. It was the first of many commercials that Waltrip will be featured in this season. Both NAPA and Aaron's are shooting at least four commercials each with the charismatic driver.

For the Auto Club Speedway commercial, Waltrip stars with Hollywood actor Greg Germann, who has been in at least 25 films, including a favorite of Waltrip's, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. He was also on hit TV shows like Ally McBeal, The Bernie Mac Show and Desperate Housewives.

Click here to see the finished product between the two stars:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=646805873743

For tickets to the NASCAR event weekend February 20-22 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California visit autoclubpeedway.com or call 800-944-Race.

Waltrip Goes Boar Hunting with Aaron's Outdoors

// Courtesy : Michael Waltrip Racing //

Michael Waltrip, driver of the No. 99 Aaron's Dream Machine and No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camrys, joined Aaron's Outdoors for a Hog Hunt on October 22nd at Briar Patch Plantation in Toomsboro, Ga. 
 
The Aaron's Outdoors television show featuring Michael Waltrip's wild boar hunt is scheduled to air: 
Saturday, Jan. 31 at 9:30 AM on CSS 
Monday, Feb. 2 at 8:30 PM on Pursuit (Direct TV channel 608) 
Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 10:00 AM on Pursuit

Aaron's Outdoors features Jarrod Brannen and family as they explore some of North America 's finest hunting and fishing opportunities. Aaron's Outdoors strives to promote and preserve the great American tradition of families in the outdoors. Make time for traditions, tune in each week with your entire family for a wholesome, entertaining, sometimes comical outdoor adventure with the Brannen Family

For more photographs and details about Aaron's Outdoors, you can visit:

http://www.aaronsoutdoorstv.com/whatsnew.html 
 
http://www.aaronsoutdoorstv.com/MWR.html