Michael Waltrip splitting time driving, dancing on Talladega race weekend

FILE - In this July 6, 2013, file photo, Michael Waltrip greets fans during driver introductions prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Michael Waltrip is gearing up for a weekend of driving and dancing at Talladega Superspeedway. He’ll be practicing for Monday night’s, Oct. 20, 2014, “Dancing with the Stars” appearance when he’s not on the track. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2014, file photo, Michael Waltrip smiles during NASCAR auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Michael Waltrip is gearing up for a weekend of driving and dancing at Talladega Superspeedway. He’ll be practicing for Monday night’s, Oct. 20, 2014, “Dancing with the Stars” appearance when he’s not on the track. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (The Associated Press)

Michael Waltrip is no longer recognized primarily as the driver who won a couple of Daytona 500s when he's strolling through airports. Now, he's the dancing guy.

For this weekend, Waltrip will be both driver and dancer. He'll go back and forth from his day job at Talladega Superspeedway to practicing the Argentine tango at a nearby YMCA for the TV show "Dancing With the Stars."

The co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing likes his chances on the track much better than those on the dance floor Monday night. Waltrip and partner Emma Slater practiced at the Oxford YMCA for a couple of hours Friday morning and planned to spend a few more hours there in the evening.

Waltrip will fly back to Los Angeles for the show after Sunday's race.