Michael Waltrip used to be a restrictor-plate ace. He has four career victories in 782 NASCAR Cup starts — all on the fast superspeedways.
But at age 53, Waltrip may be a bit rusty.
Waltrip, a full-time TV analyst for Fox who runs only three or four races a year now, wrecked Sunday at Talladega, taking out two cars with him.
Waltrip elected not to pit during a caution on Lap 48 and inherited the lead. When the race restarted on Lap 55, Waltrip drifted back to third when Martin Truex Jr. hit him from behind, causing Waltrip to run off the track.