DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 6,
2008) – For Brain Cancer
Awareness week May 4-10,
Michael Waltrip designed a
special paint scheme for the
No. 00 Toyota Camry to honor
his dearly departed friend
Max Helton who was
instrumental in establishing
Motor Racing Outreach (MRO)
in 1988.
“Max was a really special
person in my life,” Waltrip
said. “I cherished the time
I spent with him and the
positive influence he had on
me. We will miss him, but we
will never forget him.”
Helton’s vision came to
life with the help of
Darrell and Stevie Waltrip
and so many others. Michael
befriended Helton in the
late 80’s as he began work
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series racing community
providing ministries for
drivers, team members,
family and friends.
Helton left MRO 15 years
later, but continued his
ministry in motorsports by
founding WorldSpan
Ministries with his
son-in-law Daryl Barker.
Waltrip maintained his close
relationship and watched him
touch so many lives
including his and his
brother Darrell’s.
“I don’t believe our
racing family would have the
continuity and the family
atmosphere it has if it
wasn’t for Max and MRO,”
Darrell Waltrip said. “Max
came to my wife Stevie and
me in Riverside, California
in 1987 and said he wanted
to start a ministry in
NASCAR. He said he was
willing to move to North
Carolina. We were excited
because he was an ordained
minister. When he came to
NASCAR, people immediately
fell in love with him.
“I am so proud of Michael
Waltrip and Michael McDowell
for recognizing his
accomplishments. Max meant a
lot to everyone in this
sport.”
This weekend is also
Mother’s Day and Michael
Waltrip wanted to also pay
tribute to mothers with a
“Love You Mom” decal on the
back of the No. 00 Toyota
Camry.
“We put a special note on
McDowell’s car to all the
mothers watching the race on
Saturday,” Waltrip said.
“Our mom is an important
part of our lives. I love
the fact that we are racing
on Saturday, so that we can
spend Mother’s Day with her
at home on Sunday.”
McDowell was a huge
supporter of the idea
because he wanted to show
admiration for his mom that
he lost to pancreatic cancer
at age 45 when he was only
21.
“I wanted to pay tribute
to my mom,” McDowell said.
“In addition to MW’s ‘Love
You Mom’ decal, I’m also
running one I designed to
honor my mom. She had such a
positive impact on my life.
Everybody that knew her
loved her. She was just a
happy person. I miss seeing
her smiling face, but I know
she’s with me every day. My
wife Jami and I want to wish
all the mother’s a Happy
Mother’s Day.”
