Michael Waltrip led 42 laps -- more than anyone else except Tony Stewart. Credit: Autostock

Waltrip sees strong run literally go up in smoke

Rare DEI engine failure sends two-time wimmer to 37th

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Michael Waltrip was right where he wanted to be, ready to pounce on the leaders and make a charge to his third Daytona 500 victory.

But he never got a chance to make his move. The engine in Waltrip's No. 15 Chevrolet let go with 40 laps to go Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, ending a topsy-turvy Speedweeks for the Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver.

	Tony Eury Jr. (left) was making his debut as crew chief for Michael Waltrip. Credit: AP
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Waltrip didn't qualify that well last Sunday but showed plenty of speed since then, winning one of the Gatorade Duel qualifying races Thursday and earning the favorite's role for the 500.

Waltrip was one of the strongest cars Sunday, leading 42 laps and running among the leaders all race. But after the blown engine, a dejected Waltrip headed to his motorcoach.

"He's pretty tore up," crew chief Tony Eury Jr. said. "He hasn't had a real chance in a year-and-a-half, and he was just sitting there waiting on the kill."

Eury Jr., looking for his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory after winning last year with Dale Earnhardt Jr., said something internal in the engine failed, either the crankshaft or a connecting rod.

Whatever it was, the result was bitterly disappointing.

"Man I just really wanted to run these last 25 laps," Waltrip said. "We have a very fast car. We just kept it toward the front. We did everything we needed to do to win the race, except finish it.

Bobby Labonte's day ends with early engine trouble Ricky Rudd blows a tire, collects several other cars Michael Waltrip's day literally goes up in smoke Scott Wimmer gets the worst of a big pile up in Turn 4 Jeff Gordon wins a green-white-checkered finish Jeff Gordon celebrates his third Daytona 500 win Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

"I just couldn't wait, couldn't wait for those last 25 laps. It was going to be a riot. The people in the stands are going to see a heck of a show. You can make major runs out there. We had a car that was going to make some.

"I'm trying to mask the pain. I'm just upset but understanding. A lot of people put a lot into this effort. There are a lot of parts spinning around, and sometimes they break."

That's not much comfort to a crew that worked since the end of last season to get ready for this race.

"It's really unfortunate," Eury Jr. said. "The motor department worked really hard to get us some more power down here. Unfortunately, something internal broke.

"It's a shame. We knew we were one of the top three cars, and to go out like this, it hurts really bad. This is a season in itself. You work for two months trying to get a car to run like that, to run with the top dogs.

"To come up like this, it's almost empty-handed. We'll be at Talladega. We know what kind of car we've got, and we'll be ready there."

After qualifying 33rd, DEI sent director of motorsports Richie Gilmore back to the team's shop in Mooresville, N.C. to work with the engine shop in an effort to find more horsepower.

They apparently found some gains, but maybe they found too much, for Waltrip's engine came up 100 miles short.

"Just hate it for all my guys," Eury Jr. said. "I think we showed what kind of caliber team we are and what we can do. I just hope everybody got a good glimpse of that, and we'll see 'em at Talladega."