At a press conference in his race shop in Cornelius, N.C., Michael Waltrip announced he would be stepping out of the driver’s seat and running only a limited number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Taking over the famed NAPA sponsored Toyota will be Martin Truex Jr. Moving over from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Truex Jr. will pilot the No. 56 NAPA Toyota.

Waltrip, who has spent 25 years in NASCAR, will run the No. 55 Toyota in a select number of events in 2010 starting with the Daytona 500. The amazing relationship between NAPA and Michael Waltrip Racing will continue going forward, as the auto parts supplier has signed a multi-year extension.

After announcing he would be stepping away from the series in a full-time respect, the owner/driver announced his new driver as he drove the No. 56 Toyota through a NAPA banner. As Truex joined his team owner on stage, Waltrip shook his hand saying, “Welcome aboard brother.”

Explaining to his new driver that being a part of NAPA is more than just driving the car, Waltrip asked Truex, “Real quickly, N96045 what is that?” Truex responded without hesitation, “Fuel filter for a Toyota Camry.” “He’s going to be fine,” Waltrip said with a smile, who then handed over the NAPA roof hat to his new driver.

“I’m really excited to be here,” Truex said. “I am just looking forward to next year. I think we’ll go on to do really good things and I think the sky is the limit. They have built a great operation here and I’m just really excited about next year.”

“I’m turning my car over to a guy I think can go win the championship in it,” Waltrip added. “I’ve always said, I’ve been racing these cars a long time as we all well know that if I didn’t feel I was the best man for the job I wouldn’t have had a ride this long. If I wasn’t the best guy that could get in the car and go racing on Sunday, someone else would take my place. I just believe that at this point in my career Martin is the right guy to take over my car and go win races in it.”

The number change not only allows Waltrip to keep a limited schedule, but it also puts Truex Jr. back behind the wheel of his family number. Growing up racing in the Northeast, Truex and his father carried the No. 56 with them along the way.

“The 56 has been in my family for a long time,” Truex explained. “Everything I ever raced before I moved to North Carolina to race in the Busch Series had a 56 on it. The number is one that I’ve had a lot success with, it’s one I used from the time I raced my first go-kart all the way up the ranks. Really it’s always been my number and it’s really special that everyone here let me use my number.”

With this announcement coming at the midpoint of the season, the next question is whether Truex – who is currently 24th in the series standings – will make the move to MWR prior to the end of the season. Attempting to squash any doubts, Truex explained he is 100% committed to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for the rest of the year.

“I am 100% committed to EGR for the rest of the season to drive the No. 1 car,” Truex confirmed. “We haven’t had any discussions further than that, but as of now that is the plan and we’re all on the same page as far as Chip (Ganassi) and everybody over there that we’re going to go through the season and I’m 100% committed to them and try to get back to Victory Lane.”

For years Truex has struggled to find the solid foundation needed to be successful on the track, none of which was in his control. Mix ups at Dale Earnhardt Inc. saw the team move shops on three different occasions and going into this season, DEI was merged with Chip Ganassi Racing. Those moves and changes put the New Jersey-native and his team behind the eight ball before the season ever got started. With this new deal, Truex appears to have that solid base he has wanted for the last two seasons. Partnering his talent behind the wheel with the continued improvements at MWR should put the Truex back amongst the leaders where he belongs.

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