'Numb' Waltrip makes Daytona field

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2007 | by Nate Ryan

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Beleaguered after a scandal-ridden week of uncertainty for his team, Michael Waltrip had to be talked into a last-ditch, long-shot attempt at the Daytona 500.

But when asked to describe his glee after squeezing into the "Great American Race," Waltrip wasn't so persuasive.

"I'm probably the most depressing guy you've ever seen make the Daytona 500," he said after wearily climbing out of his No. 55 Toyota with a blank expression and no exultation. "I'm sort of numb."

Waltrip pulled the stunner of Daytona Speedweeks, finishing eighth in the first of two Gatorade Duel qualifying races Thursday to earn a Daytona 500 berth four days after he faced ejection from NASCAR's marquee event.

Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon claimed...