Over a decade ago, Michael Waltrip established a modest family-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team in Sherrills Ford, NC, called Michael Waltrip Racing. It was the first of many phases for Waltrip's mission to become a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner.

Waltrip won four of his 11 career NASCAR Nationwide Series races with Michael Waltrip Racing. In 2004, he began entering cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on a limited basis with select drivers while he also carried out his role as driver of the No. 15 NAPA AUTO PARTS entry for Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

That same year he watched as Toyota made a successful debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winning four races and five poles in its first season. As Toyota Tundras stacked up wins in the division, Waltrip knew it was only a matter of time for the manufacturer to venture into the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Waltrip courted Toyota, a move that would position his organization to be aligned with the manufacturer. In 2007 when TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) expanded its involvement into both series by providing engines and technical support, MWR became one of three full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Camry operations. The opportunity opened the door to a lifelong dream for Waltrip to build a 140,000 sq. ft. shop to house his multi-car Toyota Camry teams while at the same time providing an interactive family destination for fans.

Partnering with TRD during their inaugural year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series along with longstanding relationships and new sponsor partnerships granted Waltrip the chance to fulfill his ownership aspiration at the pinnacle of the sport. Waltrip had the means to field a three-car team with the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, No. 44 and No. 00 Toyota Camrys. In addition, Waltrip's No.99 Aaron's Dream Machine NASCAR Nationwide Series team joined the newly developed Toyota Camry camp and was a serious championship contender in their first year with the manufacturer finishing second overall in the driver points standings with David Reutimann.

As MWR's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Waltrip quickly realized during his first season that he could not do it all alone. Waltrip set out in search of a partner who could help take his company to the next level. On October 12, 2007, during a press conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, Michael Waltrip revealed his plans to strengthen and secure the future of his company. A crucial piece of his announcement included adding a new partner.

Waltrip proudly introduced Robert Kauffman as an equal ownership partner in a newly formed company, Michael Waltrip Racing Holdings, LLC (MWRH). Kauffman lends financial and business strategy support to MWRH to ensure its growth is both strategic and successful.

Since then, Waltrip has in place a sound Board of Directors and Executive Management Structure.

Waltrip serves as Chairman of the Board, Robert Kauffman, Johnny Harris, Mike Malone and Phil Parsons are Board Members. The executive staff includes Cal Wells III appointed as Executive Vice President, Larry Johns Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Terry Bassett as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer and Ty Norris Vice President and General Manager.

During the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Waltrip's company to be light years ahead of its freshman season with its three teams intact. The proud owner watched as his teams grew in competiveness, led races, garnered strong finishes and earned coveted spots in the Top-35 owner points by season's end.

Waltrip also continued to showcase his pride and joy, the No.99 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry, which helped start it all. The team Waltrip cultivated brought home respectable finishes and finished in the top-10 (seventh-place) driver points standings with Reutimann during the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.

For the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, MWR has the right personnel in place as the organization fields Waltrip's No.55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry and Reutimann's No.00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry full-time. In addition, MWR and JTG-Daugherty Racing have formed a technical alliance for the No.47 Little Debbie Toyota Camry with driver Marcos Ambrose. JTG-Daugherty will be housed in MWR's state-of-the-art facility and they will be supported like a third team. MWR also looks forward to fostering their new relationship with Germain Racing, who also formed an alliance with MWR for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Waltrip is a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner, a 1996 All-Star Challenge winner and 11-time NASCAR Nationwide Series winner. He is now looking for his next win as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner.