Michael Waltrip is an American author and racing driver. He twice won the “Daytona 500” racing series (2001 and 2003). He also works as a race commentator for the “NASCAR Camping World Truck Series” and the “Xfinity Series,” both of which air on Fox Sports.
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Quick Facts
| celebrated name: | Michael Waltrip |
|---|---|
| Real name/Full name: | Michael Curtis Waltrip |
| Sex: | Male |
| Age: | 59 years old |
| Date of birth: | Apr 30, 1963 |
| Birthplace: | Owensboro, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.96 m |
| Weight: | 95 kg |
| Sexual orientation: | Straight ahead |
| Marital status: | Divorced |
| Wife/husband (name): | Elizabeth Franks (m. 1993-2010) |
| Children: | Yes (Caitlin Waltrip, Margaret Waltrip) |
| Profession: | American former professional stock car driver, racing commentator and published author |
| Net worth in 2022: | $40 million |
Michael Waltrip Biography
Michael Curtis Waltrip was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on April 30, 1963, to parents Leroy Waltrip and Margaret Jean Evans. He is the younger of his two brothers, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Waltrip, who both died in 2014.
As a teenager, he asked his older brother Darell Waltrip and his father for help improving his racing skills. They did advise him to concentrate on his studies. Then his brother Bobby kept him motivated and accompanied him to the kart races in Kentucky.
Waltrip married Elizabeth Buffy Franks in 1993. They are the parents of a lovely daughter, but they divorced in 2010. He also has a child from a previous relationship.
Michael Waltrip Age, height, weight
Michael Waltrip was born on April 30, 1963 and is 59 years old as 2022. His height is 1.96 meters and his weight is 95 kilograms.
Career
Michael Waltrip started racing at age 15 when his brother Bobby Waltrip took him to local karting races in his hometown of Kentucky. His professional stock car racing career began in 1981 when he competed in the Mini-Modified Track Championship held at Kentucky Motor Speedway.
He won the Darlington Dash Series Championship in 1983. In 1996, he participated in the Winston Open and won the title. He later competed in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.
Waltrip worked for Bahari Racing from 1987 to 1995, then for Wood Brothers Racing from 1996 to 1998 and for Jimmy Smith/Mattei Racing from 1999 to 2000.
He started working with “Dale Earnhardt Inc” in 2001 and won four team races with them before leaving in 2005. He finished first in the 2004 NASCAR Xfinity Series. In the 2007 NASCAR Spirit Cup series, Waltrip drove the number 55 car.
In 2004, he competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, finishing 61st. He was last seen in his Toyota Camry for Premium Motorsports in the Daytona 500. Waltrip announced that he would be competing in the Daytona 500 for Premium Motorsports, number 15 Aaron’s, Inc. camry.
Michael Waltrip Achievements and Awards
Michael Waltrip was named “Most Popular Driver” in the Darlington Dash Series in 1983 and 1984. In 1983, he was also the Darlington Dash Series champion. He was named Winston winner in 1996 and NASCAR All-Star Race winner in 1997. He also won the Dayton 500 in 2001 and 2003, as well as the Gatorade Duel in 2002 and 2005.
Michael Waltrip’s Net Worth in 2022
The net worth of Michael Waltrip is valued at over $40 million as of June 2022. His huge net worth stems from his successful career as a stock car driver. He also works as a NASCAR commentator alongside his brother. He is also a published author and has written several books, including “In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona.” His book “The Day That Changed Everything,” published in 2011, became a New York Times bestseller.
Michael Waltrip is one of the most famous stock car racers in the world. He has appeared in numerous TV commercials, including those for 5 o’clock ENERGY, Toyota, Dominos, UPS and others. He appeared on an episode of the TV show “My Name is Earl” in 2009. Waltrip has donated more than $2 million to various charities since 2010, including Victory Junction Camp in North Carolina.
