Frustration builds as two MWR cars crash in quals

CONCORD, N.C. -- Ty Norris shook his head in disappointment as he watched Michael Waltrip's badly mangled racecar get loaded onto its hauler for another premature trip home.

Norris, general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, had just watched two of the organization's three Nextel Cup cars crash their way out of qualifying for this Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. Joining Waltrip's No. 55 Toyota in the Thursday night scrap heap at Lowe's Motor Speedway was MWR teammate David Reutimann, who also tore up his No. 00 Toyota in a failed attempt to make the race.

The third MWR car, the No. 44 Toyota driven by Dale Jarrett, qualified 23rd and made the race. All three cars were in the unenviable position of having to make the race on speed, as none of them currently are in the top 35 in owner points. The top 35 in owner points are locked into a spot in each week's race, while those outside the top 35 must qualify on speed.

"Michael's just trying so hard. I mean, he's got the pressure, the weight of the world on him, and he's just trying so hard," Norris said. "I guess when you're locked in, qualifying is easy and you can do what you got to do.

"It's been a while since the car has drove like he likes it to drive. He's just trying as hard as he can."

Asked if perhaps Waltrip is trying too hard, Norris replied: "I don't know how you judge it. He probably would be more comfortable if the car drove exactly how he wanted it to. It's just been a long time since he's been able to feel that way. We're still searching, I guess."

Waltrip has not made a race since the season-opening Daytona 500 in mid-February, meaning he has now missed 11 consecutive races. He participated in last Saturday's Nextel Open, finishing 20th out of 32 racers. But it has been more than three months since he has competed in a Nextel Cup points event, raising speculation that he might not be as sharp as a driver as he needs to be.

Norris, however, disputed that contention.

"I pity the other competitors the day he makes the race, because he's going to have some pent-up frustrations. He wants to race," Norris said. "That's not relevant. He's ready." (Continued)