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Earnhardt News
2000 Season
Napa Auto Parts Joins The Major Leagues With Michael Waltrip And Earnhardt
Incorporated
Champion Sports Group
Mooresville, NC
(September 13, 2000)
Dale Earnhardt announced today that
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will be expanding its motorsports program with the addition of a
third NASCAR Winston Cup team in 2001. The newest DEI entry will be driven by Winston Cup
veteran Michael Waltrip while carrying the blue and gold of NAPA AUTO PARTS.
"The NAPA AUTO PARTS Winston Cup team is another move for DEI in its efforts towards
winning championships," remarked Dale Earnhardt. "It takes the right combination
to be successful. NAPA and DEI have had tremendous success over the years. When we decided
to grow by adding another Winston Cup team they never hesitated to grow with us. It's a
team effort and they've been a part of our team for six years. Michael was the final part
of our newest team. I'm looking forward to having Michael around. We've been friends for
many years and I know what he can do in a racecar. He's a talented driver that brings
immediate experience to our program."
Winston Cup veteran Michael Waltrip can't wait to get on the DEI bandwagon. "This is
going to be good," said Waltrip. "Earnhardt is a fierce competitor that believes
there's nothing good about second place. We've all seen it on the racetrack as a driver
and now as a car owner. You want that in a car owner. I can't wait to work with these
guys, it's kind of a 'who's who' list of people working at DEI. They've won races and
championships and that's what I want to do, win races and bring another championship to
NAPA and DEI.
"I'm now an official member of the NAPA family," continued Waltrip, "I've
unofficially been donating to the family fund for quite some time. As a kid my hot rod
wasn't so hot and it needed a new part every week. I'd go to the local NAPA store and find
what I needed."
"We are excited about what the future holds as we enter into the major leagues of
auto racing, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. This is a big move for us and I can honestly
say we would not do this with another team other than Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Our
relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. over the years has brought NAPA two NASCAR Truck
Series championships and numerous victories. We also are excited about having veteran
Winston Cup driver, Michael Waltrip come aboard as driver and becoming the newest member
of the NAPA family, " stated Steve Handschuh, NAPA President.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. teams have made their mark in the NASCAR racing world by claiming
multiple championships in two of NASCAR's marquee series' including the 1998 and 1999
Busch Series and 1996 and 1998 NASCAR Truck Series titles. To date they have gone to
Winners Circle in four NASCAR Winston Cup and two NASCAR Busch Series races in the 2000
season. DEI currently has two NASCAR Winston Cup teams featuring drivers Dale Earnhardt,
Jr. and Steve Park. Terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed. NAPA, the
National Automotive Parts Association, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2000. The
company was founded to meet America's growing need for an effective auto parts
distribution system. NAPA has been an industry leader ever since- an invaluable
"partner" in the flow of parts from manufacturers to over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS
stores and nearly 10,000 NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide. NAPA is proud to say "We
Keep America Running."
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