Michael Waltrip is an American author and stock car racing driver. He won the “Daytona 500” racing series twice (2001 and 2003). He also works as a racing commentator for the “NASCAR Camping World Truck Series” and the “Xfinity Series,” both of which are broadcast on Fox Sports.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Michael Waltrip |
|---|---|
| Real Name/Full Name: | Michael Curtis Waltrip |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 60 years old |
| Birth Date: | 30 April 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Owensboro, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.96 m |
| Weight: | 95 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Divorced |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Elizabeth Franks (m. 1993–2010) |
| Children: | Yes (Caitlin Waltrip, Margaret Waltrip) |
| Profession: | American former professional stock car racing driver, racing commentator, and published author |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $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 youngest of his two brothers, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Waltrip, both of whom died in 2014.
When he was a teenager, he asked his older brother Darell Waltrip and his father for assistance in improving his racing skills. They did, however, advise him to concentrate on his studies. That’s when his brother Bobby kept him motivated and accompanied him to the Kentucky go-kart races.
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 60 years old in 2024. His height is 1.96 meters and his weight is 95 kilograms.
Career
Michael Waltrip began racing at the age of 15 when his brother Bobby Waltrip took him to local go-cart races in his hometown of Kentucky. His professional stock-car racing career took off in 1981, when he competed in the Mini-Modified track championship held at the Kentucky Motor Speedway.
He won the Darlington Dash Series Championship in 1983. In 1996, he competed in the Winston Open and won the title. He later went on to compete 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 began 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 No. 55 car.
In 2004, he competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and finished 61st. He was last seen driving his Toyota Camry for Premium Motorsports in the Daytona 500. Waltrip announced that he would compete in the Daytona 500 for Premium Motorsports, driving the No. 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 the Winston winner in 1996, and the 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 2024
Michael Waltrip’s net worth is estimated to be more than $40 million as of March 2024. His enormous net worth stems from his successful career as a stock car racing driver. He also works as a NASCAR commentator alongside his brother. He is also a published author, having 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 best-seller.
Michael Waltrip is one of the most well-known stock car racers in the world. He has appeared in numerous television commercials, including those for 5-hour ENERGY, Toyota, Dominos, UPS, and others. He appeared in an episode of the television show “My Name is Earl” in 2009. Waltrip has given more than $2 million to various charities since 2010, including North Carolina’s Victory Junction Camp.
