Sprint car ace Wise to join Waltrip Racing

PHOENIX, Ariz. Josh Wise, 2006 USAC National Sprint Car Series champion, will drive in a variety of series for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007, it was announced Monday.

Wise ended his USAC season with a win in the Western World Championships feature Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway.

"Michael Waltrip Racing is proud to be associated with Josh Wise not only for his ability to win championships, but also because of his humble personality," Waltrip said.

"We have already tested Josh in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck a couple of times and have been impressed with his ability to get around the track and provide input to the team."

"We have plans to keep Josh busy in the off-season to help prepare him for the 2007 season," Waltrip continued. "Josh will run in a variety of venues for Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc. including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA as well as the short track racing that he has brought him so much success."

"Josh is a quality individual from a quality family and we knew it the moment we met him," said Ty Norris, General Manager for Michael Waltrip Racing. "I was able to watch him race for the first time this weekend and it's easy to see why Tony Stewart believes Josh is the next great driver to come through the USAC ranks. We're proud to have a two-time USAC champion in our camp."

"The USAC championships are something that I always wanted to accomplish," Wise said. "When I came back to the Midwest it was my goal to win a championship in all three divisions. I won the Midget championship last year and came really close to the Silver Crown, but we had some mechanical problems that held us back from it. I really wanted to win the Sprint Car Championship this year to kind of complete that goal."

Now, Wise prepares to make the move to Michael Waltrip Racing.

"I really want to perform for everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing," Wise said. "I'm ready to get started. I've already tested a NASCAR Craftsman Truck twice. When we tested Chicago not long ago, I had only run an ARCA car twice. The first time I didn't run many laps and the other time was on a half-mile track.

"I was nervous about the first truck test because it was a fast track, but the guys made me feel real comfortable and we had a lot of fun. Adapting to a truck is going to be a different challenge because of the principles and the characteristics of the way they drive."