(Action Sports Photography)

Fans Can Audition for SPEED Road Tour Challenge at Michael Waltrip Racing's fabrication shop (19340 Liverpool Parkway, Cornelius, NC 28031) on December 9th and 10th

Michael Waltrip has a huge undertaking with Michael Waltrip Racing and Waltrip Raceworld (formerly called Waltrip Racing World), but seated comfortably on a blue sofa at his office earlier this week he couldn't seem more confident and at ease when asked about the progression of his race teams and racing complex. 

"We have been building this team for over a year now," Waltrip said. "My confidence comes from the successes we've enjoyed meeting our goals to this point. We have come a long way. We have sponsors secured and people hired. The cars are being built and tested.  Our fabrication department is operating at full strength."

Waltrip does not foresee anything that will slow down progress, but if something does come up he's prepared.

"We mapped out a plan with a timeline to monitor our progress," Waltrip said. "We are at a very good place. There have been many challenges and I know there will be more. I have been racing my whole life and it has always been about adapting to change. That mentality has helped our organization grow from a plan to a reality."

Noah Lazes, a longtime personal friend and president of the ARK Group who partnered with the Waltrip's, can attest the project is on task.

"Choate is doing a fantastic job and construction is progressing right on schedule," Lazes said. "All of the new building is up. The mezzanines are all in now. The finishes are starting already with wall treatments and floor treatments. The front entrance monument is scheduled to start next week along with the scoring tower that will give Waltrip Raceworld a presence from the interstate. As we continue work on the structure, Michael Waltrip Racing has been working on building their teams."

Finding quality crew members that have chemistry obviously plays a large part in the success of any racing organization and Michael Waltrip Racing's competition department has been hiring daily. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, crew chiefs will be announced and over-the-wall teams will be assembled.

"Over the next week or so, we will announce our team rosters including crew chiefs," Waltrip said. "By mid-January, we will be operating exclusively out of Waltrip Raceworld (former movie theater)."

As Michael Waltrip Racing continues their hiring process and Waltrip Raceworld becomes a reality, SPEED Channel is holding auditions for its own reality show called SPEED Road Tour Challenge at Michael Waltrip Racing's fabrication shop (19340 Liverpool Parkway, Cornelius, NC 28031) on December 9th and 10th. SPEED is looking for four NASCAR fans to travel to 13 races from Daytona to Charlotte. The four participants will compete for a prize package, which includes a 2007 Toyota Tundra and an offer to join the SPEED Road Tour crew for the remainder of the season.

"While SPEED tapes the show at Waltrip Raceworld, it will give participants a sneak peak at the fabrication shop," Lazes said. "It will show our progress and that we are definitely on schedule."

Waltrip is pleased with what has already been accomplished.

"I am very proud of this organization," Waltrip said. "From the talented management team led by Ty Norris, to the men and women that build our beautiful Toyota Camrys, none of this would be possible without them. I am also proud of our new building that will open to the public in mid-May."