Mikey. Little Brother. Two familiar names to this tall, dark and handsome race driver. Most Saturday's find him at the wheel of the #99 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series. The Aaron's Dream Machine team is owned by Michael Waltrip himself.

More widely recognized is the bright blue #15 NAPA car that Michael drives in the Winston Cup Circuit. This car is owned by Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. That makes him teammates to the young, flashy Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the less flamboyant Jeff Green.

Michael has not won three Winston Cup National Championships like his older sibling Darrell Waltrip. There is sixteen years difference in their age and it has been a long road for Michael to get to his present level of success. But, there have been a lot of wins a long the way.

He started racing and winning with Go-Karts in the late 1970's. It wasn't long until he switched to the Mini-Modifieds. Racing his Mini-Modified at the Kentucky Motor Speedway where big brother Darrell started racing was a highlight in Michael's young career. Winning the night that Darrell was there to watch him race was really special!

In 1983 The Goody's Dash Series was very good to Michael. Sitting on 14 poles, winning 6 races and the Championship that year made him feel like he was going to be the next Richard Petty of racing.

For the first time Darrell began to take notice!

Actually Darrell was beginning to see a younger version of himself emerge. Always digging. Never yielding. Finding a way to race sometimes when there seemed to be no way.

For several months in 1984 Michael lived in the home of his good friend Kyle Petty. While there he sat at the feet of Racing King - Richard Petty. Loving those conversations that sometimes lasted way into the night, Michael literally consumed every tidbit that came from Richard's mouth.

Taking Richard's advice about getting into a Winston Cup ride as soon as he could, Michael made his first start at the famous Lowe's Motor Speedway in 1985. The next year he went full time with Winston Cup and was second in points to the Rookie of the Year.

April 3, 1993, became a day to remember in Michael Waltrip's life!

It was an emotion filled day as Michael captured the NASCAR Busch win at Bristol. During his media interview after the race he pulled his girlfriend, Buffy, into his arms and introduced her to the world.

And then right there in Victory Circle, Michael asked that beautiful lady to become his wife. Buffy's answer was a resounding YES! Used to moving around a lot with her family, it was no problem for Buffy to become Michael's traveling companion to the races. Now she stays busy in the business of racing and considers the two of them a team.

Daughters Caitlin Marie and Margaret "Macy" Carol are now a big part of that team. Michael is often caught on camera hugging and loving on those two beauties.

Michael asked the Lord to come into his heart as a young man. Knowing he can talk to God anytime, he often whispers prayers to Him during the race. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God from Philippians 4:6 has been Michael's favorite verse all those years of growing up and racing.

There have been lots of days and nights with reason for thanksgiving. There have been, also, many times of prayer and supplication. Perhaps the two were never needed more than at that eventful Daytona 500 in February 2001. During a short lived time of thanksgiving following Michael's long awaited win that day, he received word that his friend and car owner had died in that same race.

Prayers and supplications for the family of Dale Earnhardt became priority at that point. Faith is what got Michael and Buffy through that most extraordinarily difficult year.

Today, because of the many prayers said by family, friends, and race fans around the world, Michael still climbs into those racecars 36 weeks out of the year and shows us the real race driver he has become. For many, Michael is the driver they scream and clap for as he flies around the track each week.