Backstretch Motorsports

The job will take it’s toll. only the strongest will surivive it. Not being competitive is a stress level that will take even the best out of the game.

Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip will retire at the end of 2009 if he can’t return to a competitive level this season.

Waltrip mentioned the possibility of climbing out of the driver seat last month, then reconfirmed his intentions Thursday during media day for the Daytona 500.

The usually effervescent Waltrip has been subdued in the last couple of seasons. The normally upbeat personality-driven one that fans call “Mikey” has been reclusive at times, the infectous smile hidden from view.

The 45-year-old Waltrip is starting his third season in the duel role of driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. It’s an endeavor he says mentally drained him and affected his on-track performance. Waltrip has had only four top-10 finishes over the past three seasons.

This isn’t failure on the big man’s part. It’s just hard to be at the highest level of the most competitive motorsports.

But he says he’s refreshed and physically prepared to turn things around in 2009. Should he fail to improve, Waltrip said he’ll focus on ownership and a career as a television analyst.