Michael Waltrip and "Bootie" Barker Will Make Sweet Music Together at MWR

If you have ever listened to NASCAR personality, owner and driver Michael Waltrip's radio show "Out Loud," you know that Michael loves his music.  In fact, he often spends half the show either talking about a song or singing it.

Waltrip will most certainly be making sweet music with the announcement that Robert "Bootie" Barker will be joining him as crew chief for the No. 55 Napa Auto Parts Toyota in 2009.

Michael and Bootie should be singing from the same song sheet, having much in common.  Both are good ol' Southern boys.   Michael hails from Owensboro, Ky., and Bootie from Halifax, Va.

They are both "veterans" of the sport.  Michael has been racing in the Cup series since 1985.  He is a two-time winner of the prestigious Daytona 500 race and is the younger brother of race car legend Darrell Waltrip.

Michael currently races under his own banner at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR), founding his own team in 2007.

Bootie has been involved with racing since his college days at Old Dominion University, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. 

In college, he worked for Ashton Lewis, who was then driving for a Late Model Series team.  Bootie then went to work at Bill Davis racing as a shock absorber specialist, and his racing career was launched.

Michael and Bootie have another common melody, that of being involved with their share of struggling teams.  Although Barker worked on the No. 24 team of Jeff Gordon from 1999 to 2000, he has jumped from challenging times and teams at Bill Davis Racing, Jasper Motorsports, and most recently Haas CNC Racing.

Although Michael was fortunate to be involved with DEI, driving their No. 15 Napa Chevy, he too then bounced from team to team after leaving that organization.  Michael also did a stint at Bill Davis Racing as well as Jasper Racing, before forming his own team at Michael Waltrip Racing.

Both Michael and Bootie have had their times of singing the blues as well.  At the Daytona 500 in 2007, Waltrip was severely fined for using an illegal fuel additive.  Just this year, Barker was suspended for six races and put on probation for the rest of the season for illegal wing mount locations.

The final common note between Michael Waltrip and Bootie Barker is their love of sharing their opinions about racing.  They are both broadcasters in their own rights.

Waltrip does commentary for the Craftsman Truck Series and participates in a weekly show that airs on the Speed Channel.  Barker is a host of NASCAR Performance and is a frequent guest on NASCAR Race Day, both on the Speed Channel.

Bringing Michael Waltrip and Bootie Barker together should be sweet music to the ears of MWR's sponsors and fans.   Let's hope they can make beautiful music together on the race track as well.