Willing to do whatever is necessary (cont'd)

However, harsh critics of Waltrip contend his Q-rating far outweighs his ability behind the wheel.

"People are welcome to their opinion but I would tell those critics to go around and see how many Daytona 500 trophies they have sitting on their mantle. And I was fortunate enough to win the Coca-Cola 600 as an owner," said Waltrip, who values his position in the sport as a commercial star because it kept him racing, and it is largely the reason he was able to build his own team.

Michael Waltrip gives crew chief Rodney Childers a hug after David Reutimann won the Coca-Cola 600, the first victory for MWR.

From a sponsor's standpoint -- NAPA Auto Parts, Aaron's and Best Western -- Waltrip possesses a charm and personality not easily found in most athletes.

"Michael was chosen for the sense of tradition and heritage he brings as a driver and now as team owner. He is a solid representative of the core business values and entrepreneurial spirit on which Best Western was built," said Troy Rutman, Best Western spokesperson. "Michael's charisma and popularity have been great assets for Best Western. He is a master of media engagement and always a fun interview, and he understands the give-and-take between sponsor and team."

Whatever it takes: that is Waltrip's motto.

"I raced a long time before I ever won a race, but I never had the attitude, 'Hey, I'm a race car driver so sponsor me.' I wanted to make sure while I wasn't winning that I still was competitive and was still able to deliver for my sponsor," he said. "I'm passionate about the sport and the fans who support it. I want to do all I can and more to deliver a good time. If I'm signing autographs for the folks who stand in line, there's no frown on my face and that is the way I believe it should be done, always."

Waltrip's popularity began with his NAPA sponsorship in 2001. His first race for NAPA was the Daytona 500, which he won.

Aaron's has been a partner of Waltrip's for nearly a decade and Best Western joined him in 2004. Since then, the driver has created some of the sport's most popular commercials.

But where does his good humor and quick wit come?

It wasn't learned in media training or acquired over time, and he believes the quality of his commercial acting hasn't improved much since he debuted on the small screen more than a decade ago.

One explanation for his impeccable comedic timing is that most of the time he plays himself -- a goofy homespun guy from Owensboro, Ky., who grew up with a funny family.

"I get most of it from my mom and dad, mainly, and plus just imagine my template. My brother Darrell, he's crazy funny and not only did I want to win like he did but I wanted to represent my sponsors like he did," Michael Waltrip said. "He was one of the first to take sponsor promotion to a new level, so I learned from him."

Johnny Depp and Michael Waltrip. Johnny Waltrip and Michael Depp?

Still, the origin of Waltrip's humor is fuzzy.

"Mom's here, I'll ask her. 'Was I funny when I was a little boy or was I normal? When did I get funny,'" Waltrip asked his mother.

After a brief pause, Waltrip responded in a dejected tone, "They said I wasn't funny."

Then again, Waltrip isn't even convinced he's a Waltrip at all. Therefore, his gregarious personality can't be attributed to the funny family.

"There's no actual photographic evidence that I existed until I was like 13 years old. They had four kids. I didn't get a whole lot of attention. Maybe that's why I talk a lot," he said. "And I'm always reluctant to say this but I might be Johnny Depp. He was born the same year and at the same hospital I was, 1963 in Owensboro. They mix up babies every now and then, it's possible."

Perhaps a motion picture will be Waltrip's next on-camera adventure: Pirates of the Caribbean?

One thing is for sure: Waltrip definitely has star-quality hair like Depp.