Bootie Barker to join MWR in 2009

jayski



Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that NASCAR veteran Robert "Bootie" Barker will be the crew chief of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota driven by two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. Bobby Kennedy, who has worked with Waltrip in multiple roles for over a decade, is moving into a crucial management position at MWR. "Our organization continues to grow and add depth in several key areas," Waltrip said. "Bringing Bootie on as my crew chief is part of a larger plan that enables Bobby Kennedy to move into a critical management position. We have discussed this move since the summer, but waited until we were able to hire a crew chief of Bootie's caliber and we're really glad to have him join MWR."
"I really appreciate the confidence that Michael has in me," Barker said. "He has accomplished a lot in his racing career and the fact that he wanted me to be his crew chief goes a long way for me personally. Everyone I met from the crew chiefs to the management team are very welcoming and they are all racers. I’m looking forward to being able to help the #55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry team achieve their short-term and long-term goals."(MWR PR) see full PR on my #55 Team News and Links page.(10-1-200 Comment here

Re: Bootie Barker to join MWR in 2009

I think Haas is bring in Borland to chief on Newman's car, AFAIK good move for MWR... good day for MWR

Re: Bootie Barker to join MWR in 2009

YAY!! =]

Re: Bootie Barker to join MWR in 2009

I say good luck to Bottie and Michael ..I think that will be fun to watch next year ..He will do Mikey very proud I think ..As for Darian I think Smoke has chosen a good CC for next year as well ..After what he has done for JJ last year when put in as temporary CC for him ..I think smoke will be just fine as well.. Hate to see him leave Jr. cars but anyways everyone moves one for whatever reason ..good luck to Bootie and Darian going forward ..