Team: Michael Waltrip Racing
Record: One win, two poles, nine top-5s, 19 top-10s.
Season summary: For as much grief as Michael Waltrip takes in his career, he's put together the foundations of a very solid team. He's got David Reutimann, who was one spin away from making the Chase; in an alliance with JTG Daugherty, he's got Marcos Ambrose, who's probably the most talented rookie/second-year guy in NASCAR; and he's going to be welcoming in Martin Truex Jr. Really, the only weak link on Waltrip's team is the guy who drives the 55 car ... oh, right. Awkward.
Where it went right: Reutimann won the multiple-rain-delayed Coca-Cola 600 in May, but if I hadn't told you it was rain-delayed, you probably wouldn't have remembered it. Also, Ambrose ran strong all year long, and could well be a Chase contender in another couple years.
Where it went wrong: Pocono in August. Sitting right on the fringes of the Chase, and looking fairly strong, Reutimann saw his hopes evaporate when Denny Hamlin tapped him and sent him spinning. Waltrip himself continued to have trouble finishing races, and found himself in the midst of many a wreck this year -- probably a major reason why he'll be part-timing it in 2010.
Prospects for 2010: Stronger than ever. Truex and Reutimann are a solid two-man tandem, and Ambrose, through his alliance, is an up-and-comer worth a good bet. And Waltrip? Well, he's a very good announcer.
Next up: Red Bull Racing
Related MWR posts from 2009:
Reutimann still 'mad as heck' at Hamlin for Chase-wrecking spin
Victory video: Carl Edwards edges out Marcos Ambrose
Wreck of the week: Darlington lights Michael Waltrip's fire
The Chrome Horn, episode 11: David Reutimann
Michael Waltrip lights the world on fire on "My Name Is Earl"
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