| Times are tough. News reports tell us that every | | | | beyond this season with the 32-time winner and 1999 |
| day. | | | | champion gone. And rumors continue to float that |
| On the corporate side of NASCAR, one prominent | | | | 38-year-old David Reutimann, who took over Jarrett's |
| race team is boosting its fortunes after years of | | | | No. 44 Camry when he retired, is on his way out. |
| decline, while another is reported to be on the | | | | Waltrip himself has tried to keep things afloat by |
| downside, and sliding. Toyota-backed Michael Waltrip | | | | digging into his own pockets. Kauffman's largesse |
| Racing is nearly at the end of a short rope, it seems. | | | | allowed him to hire needed staff. The increase |
| MWR was founded by Waltrip in 1996. As a slow | | | | proved productive early into '08, but things have |
| start-up, it had mild forays into NASCAR before MW | | | | turned sour in the waning weeks. |
| hooked up with Toyota in 2007. The team went | | | | Rookie driver Michael McDowell took the 00 seat |
| through some limited partnerships, but was never 'up | | | | vacated by Reutimann when Jarrett left, but still has |
| and running' until last year when he obtained | | | | no sponsor after '08 (the 'Silly Season' starts in early |
| considerable backing from the Japanese automaker. | | | | summer to allow teams to assemble and organize |
| At the end of a dismal last season, the two-time | | | | before pitches made to sponsors.). And the No. 55 |
| Daytona 500 winner formed a 50/50 partnership with | | | | car driven by Waltrip is clearly in trouble. NAPA Auto |
| Robert Kauffman of Fortress Investment Group and | | | | Parts has stood by Waltrip since his early days at |
| appeared to be on firmer footing, recent rumors to | | | | Dale Earnhardt Inc., but the long-time backer wants |
| the contrary. | | | | better results or will jump ship, the company says. |
| MWR and Waltrip strongly deny that the team is in | | | | That's three cars that are in danger of losing primary |
| financial trouble, though evidence is not substantiated. | | | | sponsors for next year. With Jarrett gone, there is |
| MWR official Cal Wells III says the team is financially | | | | no more guarantee that the 44 can enter a race. |
| stable and invests wisely, not wastefully. | | | | Employees are reportedly being laid off from |
| Unnecessary expenses have been cut, he says, and | | | | continued financial woes. Gas prices are also high for |
| the money has been spent in different areas to | | | | other NASCAR organizations, but under-funded |
| foster long-term growth under Toyota Racing | | | | teams suffer the most and are the quickest to fold. |
| Development and other sponsors. | | | | Waltrip, a popular pitchman when he's not racing or |
| The team can survive, but more investment is | | | | trying to pay bills, has become a Monday mainstay on |
| needed, and there has been no news of that. | | | | This Week in NASCAR. He has some workable |
| The three-car start-up was close to going belly-up a | | | | options if his driver/owner career doesn't pan out-and |
| year ago. The Dale Jarrett hire brought instant | | | | it hasn't sunk to this point. |
| credibility and guaranteed a spot in the field due to | | | | When the going gets tough, sometimes the tough go |
| his past champion's provisional. But Jarrett was unable | | | | south. Or they boost gears, ride it out, and prove the |
| to repeat his past performances, or to spark the | | | | wet blankets wrong. |
| team. UPS, his long-time sponsor, came along as a | | | | It's time to get crankin. |
| separate package deal, but is not likely to stay | | | | |