Michael Waltrip Racing announced today Michael Waltrip will return to NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing at Talladega on April 25, driving a #55 Toyota fielded by PRISM Motorsports.

“This is cool. I’m ready to race again and Talladega is a place where I know we will be very competitive,” said Waltrip.

The #55 Toyota will be sponsored by Aaron's to celebrate their 55th year of business.

Prism Motorsports co-owner Phil Parsons, a close friend of Waltrip's for many years, says the team has every intention to win the Aaron's 499.

“Michael brings a tremendous amount of experience to our race team,"Parsons said. “He knows what he is looking for in our cars, in our race setups and what we need to do to make our team better on these types of tracks. Plus he’s a very dear friend and I’m excited we’re putting him behind the wheel. We’re going to Talladega with every intention of winning the race.”

Waltrip last competed at Daytona in February, finishing 18th in the 2010 Daytona 500.

“Phil and (co-owner) Randy Humphrey are getting started at PRISM Motorsports and I hope I can help them move through the learning curve a little bit faster,” Waltrip said. “I think it is going to be a lot of fun. Talladega is some of the best racing in the world and I’m glad I’ll get to be part of it in the Aaron’s 55th Anniversary Toyota.”

“Talladega will mark the first time that Michael has driven for Aaron’s on the Cup side and we are thrilled to have him pilot this commemorative 55th anniversary paint scheme," commented Aaron’s Chief Operating Officer Ken Butler. "We have a long history together and are glad we have the opportunity to support him in his second Cup Series start of 2010.”

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