James Thompson Jr. Named Honorary Pit Crew Member for Daytona 500

// Courtesy : Autostock Images //

Daytona Beach, FL. – Michael Waltrip had a new crew member in his pits during his seventh-place finish in the season-opener Daytona 500. James Thompson Jr. of Florida got the experience of a lifetime when he was chosen by NAPA Jacksonville to be NAPA’s first Honorary Pit Crew Member in its NASCAR program.
 
Thompson Jr. is a valued customer of NAPA Jacksonville as he is the co-owner of five JD Byrider stores. Four of those stores are NAPA AutoCare Centers and are located in Atlantic, Cassat, Blanding and Tallahassee.
Thompson Jr. not only enjoyed the NAPA Race Day Experience as all guests are treated as VIPs, but he received a NAPA AUTO PARTS crew shirt and hat from Waltrip himself who also autographed them. He was then escorted down to the garage where he toured the team’s hauler, ate lunch with the team, participated in driver introductions and lined up with the crew on pit road as the National Anthem was performed. To top it all off, Thompson posed for a photo with the two-time Daytona 500 by a decal that saluted Thompson as the Honorary Pit Crew Member. The decal was located on the quarter panel of the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry. The father of two also got to wave the team’s pit sign showing Waltrip the exact location of his pit stall and then for several laps, watched the race with crew chief Bootie Barker on the team’s pit box.
 
“I really enjoyed the experience,” said Thompson. “It was all kind of unexpected so I didn't really know what to expect. I knew I would be able to go into the pits, but I was shocked to see my name on the car. I really enjoyed the personal interaction with the crew and all of the NAPA team members were awesome. They were all very good at what they do and my impression is that it is a very well run machine. I guess I knew that the drivers have a ton of commitments to live up to with various sponsors, but you could tell that Michael really likes his relationship with NAPA. The memories will definitely live on in my mind.”
 
This season at NASCAR Sprint Cup events where NAPA is hosting its popular Race Day Experience, a guest will be chosen based on different criteria determined by the NAPA management from that region.

Waltrip Looks Forward to the Auto Club 500 at the AAA Speedway

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You’ve always enjoyed going to the Auto Club Speedway. What can fans expect to see?

“Races at the Auto Club Speedway are a lot of fun to watch. If I am a race fan, which I am, I am going to want to go and see the race because there are some unknowns heading into this event. I am very interested to see how these new cars will run without any testing and how that factor plays out in the race. Will it be the usual suspects back up front like Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle? Or has someone else figured out a way to test their car and prepare for this 2009 season? To me, this race is very important and could be a key to how this season will play out.
 
“Another reason why I like racing at the Auto Club Speedway is you are going to see speeds well in excess of 210 miles per hour. That’s something you don’t ever see at a place like Daytona International Speedway. At Daytona, speed was very important. At California, handling will really come into play especially in the corners. There will be three-wide racing with guys running up high and guys running down low. Drivers enjoy racing here because they have options. It’s all there at California.
 
“I also can’t wait to see how my new crew chief Bootie Barker works with my guys and see how they work together to change my set up for this weekend. Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to run up front and do better than I did last year.”
 
What are your thoughts on Michael Waltrip Racing leaving Daytona with three cars in the top 20?

“I’m really proud that all three cars did well and finished in the top 20 at Daytona. Marcos Ambrose did a great job especially considering it was his first Daytona 500. Reutimann got 12th. It was a day that MWR needed and now we are going to hopefully build on that and continue the momentum with good runs.
 
“As for the NAPA AUTO PARTS team, our NAPA Toyota really handled well. We didn’t have the speed we needed, but it really drove well. As the cars were getting strung out, I could march up through the field. At the end, I knew the end was near so I just had to make the charge. We were real fortunate to get in a couple of holes and make it all work out.
I am really proud of the NAPA team. It was my first race with new crew chief Bootie Barker. I really enjoyed working with him. It was a lot of fun. I really look forward to going to California.”
 
Michael Waltrip Fast Facts
 
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip will start in his 727th NASCAR Sprint Cup race when he competes in the Auto Club 500 at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

He will be competing in his 17th race at the Auto Club Speedway. His best start at the track is 6th (April 28, 2002) and best finish is 7th (April 27, 2003).

During his Cup career at the 2.0-mile oval, Waltrip has earned two top-10 and seven top-25 finishes.

He has completed 3,628 of 4,005 laps (90.6%) at the track and has led a total of 16 laps in competition.

His average start is 25th and average finish is 26th

Waltrip will be pulling double duty at the Auto Club Speedway as we will also compete in the Nationwide Series race. Waltrip will drive his No. 99 Best Western Toyota Camry in the Stater Bros. 300.

The NAPA AUTO PARTS team is guaranteed a starting spot in the Auto Club 500. The team finished 29th in the owner point standings in 2008. Currently, Waltrip ranks eighth in driver and owner points standings.