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 In a press conference held at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) in Cornelius, NC, team owner Michael Waltrip announced Martin Truex Jr. as the driver for a new No. 56 car sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts. Waltrip will be scaling back his own racing efforts and will only run the No. 55, also to be sponsored by NAPA, in select races during the 2010 season.
Bob Susor, President of NAPA Auto Parts, was on hand at the conference to announce that NAPA will extend their contract with MWR. “NAPA believes in Michael Waltrip and we believe in his vision for Michael Waltrip Racing,” Susor said. “We are therefore pleased to announce that we have extended our contract with Michael Waltrip Racing and he’s going to have a little bit of stability here going forward.”
 Following the contract announcement, Waltrip took the microphone and made the biggest announcement of the day.
“I want to introduce you to the new driver of the No. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, Martin Truex Jr,” Waltrip said. Truex then drove the No. 56 Camry into the press conference area amidst the cheers of the gathered media, fans and special guests. As Truex joined his new team owner on stage, Waltrip said “welcome aboard, brother” and proceeded to quiz Truex on NAPA part numbers and then presented him with the big, yellow NAPA hat. “First of all, I’m really excited to be here,” Truex said following the announcement. “NAPA Auto parts and Michael Waltrip Racing have been synonymous with each other… I am proud to be here today. I’m going to be the proud driver of that car next year. I was so thankful for the opportunity that Michael (Waltrip) and Bob (Susor) and everybody at NAPA has given me to do this and just looking forward to next year, I think we’re going to go on to do really good things. I think the sky’s the limit.” Truex is not only excited about being a part of MWR, but he is also thrilled with his new car number. “Well the car number, the 56, has been in my family for a long time. My dad raced it some back in the ‘80’s and everything I’ve ever raced until I moved down to North Carolina to drive in the Busch Series had a number 56 on it. So, the number is one that I’ve had a lot of success with.” MWR, NAPA Auto Parts and Truex are hoping that the number 56 will bring them success in 2010.  MORE NASCAR NEWS
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