Michael Waltrip Racing this morning announced that the organization "would not field a full-time entry" in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in '16, and that it had granted driver Clint Bowyer "a release from his contract at the conclusion" of the '15 campaign, according to Jim Utter of MOTORSPORT.com. MWR will continue to field Bowyer's No. 15 Toyota Camry and David Ragan's No. 55 Camry for the remainder of the '15 Cup season. Last month, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates confirmed that MWR Principal Owner Rob Kauffman "would invest in that organization." At the time, sources had said that the move of Bowyer and his primary sponsor, 5-Hour Energy, "was expected to be part of the deal involving Kauffman’s move to Ganassi" (MOTORSPORT.com, 8/19). The AP's Jenna Fryer notes although Bowyer "could end up" at Ganassi with 5-Hour Energy, he is "more likely looking for a one-year resting place to wait for an opening with one of NASCAR's powerhouse teams" in '17. MWR entered Sprint Cup competition in '07 as Toyota's "flagship team," but also as one that "was involved in a cheating scandal before its very first Daytona 500 -- Waltrip was found to have jet fuel in his engine." About to collapse midway through that first season, MWR and Waltrip "were rescued by Kauffman's investment." But MWR in '13 "was severely sanctioned by NASCAR for manipulating the outcome of the final race of the regular season." The team "has also had difficulties with its second car, meant to be driven by Brian Vickers," but health issues have sidelined him and the car is currently being driven by Ragan (AP, 8/19).
WHERE NOW? ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass notes MWR "had not signed a manufacturer deal" for '16, nor had it "signed a sponsor for the No. 55 car for next season." The No. 55 car's current sponsor, Aaron's, "has not announced what it will do" in '16, which has left Ragan "and the crew wondering if they had any future at MWR" (ESPN.com, 8/19). FOXSPORTS.com's Tom Jensen writes MWR's lack of on-track success in the last two years "proved to be the final blow." MWR "missed the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup last year and Bowyer is in 15th place this year" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/19).
