Dale Earnhardt Inc. Director of Motorsports Richie Gilmore said yesterday Michael Waltrip will need to finish in the top 10 next season to keep his spot in the #15 Chevrolet. DEI has one-year contracts with the 40-year-old and his sponsor, NAPA. "Michael would love to retire at DEI, and [owner] Teresa [Earnhardt] would love to have him retire here," Gilmore said. "But we have to get to another level. We need to be in the Chase for NAPA and DEI."

(Richmond Times Dispatch)(11-15-2004)

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