Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Car/sponsor/make: No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet
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| | Waltrip |
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STATS
|
Year
|
Rank
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Wins
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Top 5
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Top 10
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Best finish
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2002
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14
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1
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4
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10
|
1st, Daytona
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Career
|
|
2
|
25
|
95
|
First, twice
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2002 recap
The good: After Michael Waltrip broke through with his first career victory in the 2001 Daytona 500, he proceeded to put together a disappointing season which ended with a 24th-place finish in the points. He had to wait a year-and-a-half for his second win, but it came amidst one of his most successful years ever. With consistent running, he landed his best points finish since he was 14th in 1996.
Season highlight: Certainly, Waltrip's second victory, both of which came at Daytona, was the season highlight. Riding the power from DEI, he is establishing himself as a dominating performer at Daytona and Talladega, Ala.
The bad: Waltrip's season got off to a slow start. Had he been more consistent before April, he might have found himself with a top-10 points finish. But before the spring months, Waltrip was mired in 24th in the standings.
Season lowlight: Waltrip had two DNFs in the season's first four races, which set the tone for the early goings -- or, really, early struggles -- of the year.
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| Michael Waltrip is a force to be reckoned with on restrictor-plate tracks. |
Key stat: 12. Waltrip led at least one lap in one-third of the season's races.
2003 outlook
What needs to be done: The restrictor plate program is hot, nobody would deny that. However, if Waltrip can get out of the gates quicker, focusing on tracks like North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C., Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. and Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., then the Owensboro, Ky., native will be able to improve on 2002.
Prediction: Waltrip may not be a championship contender, but it would not be shocking if he broke through and contended for a top-10 points finish.
Your take
Here are your thoughts on Waltrip's chances for the 2003 season. Can he contend for a top-10 spot in the standings?
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