NAPA to End Sponsorship at Michael Waltrip Racing After 2013 Season

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In the aftermath of Michael Waltrip Racing trying to manipulate the end of the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway to land Martin Truex Jr, the driver of the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing, in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup NAPA has decided to leave the team after this season.

NAPA announced the decision Thursday morning on Facebook.

“Dear Facebook Fans and the NAPA Community: After thorough consideration, NAPA has made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael Waltrip Racing effective December 31, 2013. NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR. We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our future position in motorsports.”
 
Last August NAPA and Truex signed a three-year extension that was supposed to run through the 2015 season. Now MWR is left scrambling for sponsorship on Truex’s car for the 2014 season.
 
Michael Waltrip Racing released the following statement saying they still plan to move forward with a three-car team in 2014.
“Michael Waltrip Racing respects the decision NAPA announced today following the events at Richmond. There is no doubt, the story of Michael Waltrip Racing begins with NAPA Auto Parts, but there are many more chapters yet to be written. MWR has the infrastructure and support of Toyota for three teams plus three Chase-caliber, race-winning drivers. With the support of our corporate partners we are preparing to field three teams in 2014. MWR is a resilient organization capable of winning races and competing for the championship and that remains our sole focus.”
 
NAPA and Michael Waltrip first teamed up back in the 2001 season when NAPA came on board to sponsor Waltrip’s ride at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. NAPA has sponsored Martin Truex Jr full time at Michael Waltrip Racing since Truex moved to the team in 2010.

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