Michael Waltrip Racing, Jet Edge Renew Partnership

The racing team installs its second waterjet cutting system as Brian Vickers plans to drive #55 Jet Edge Toyota Camry in the Virginia 500.

Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR; Cornelius, NC) and Jet Edge, Inc. (St, Michael, MN) announced that they are renewing their longstanding technical partnership. MWR and Jet Edge also announced that MWR is installing a second Jet Edge water jet cutting system at its fabrication shop in Cornelius and Brian Vickers will drive the #55 Jet Edge Toyota Camry in the Virginia 500 April 7 at Martinsville Speedway.

MWR uses its precision waterjet cutting system to cut more than 1,000 parts for each of its NASCAR Sprint Cup cars. It builds about 56 cars per year, including the #55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry driven by Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin and Brian Vickers, the #56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry driven by Martin Truex Jr., and the #15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry driven by Clint Bowyer.

For its second waterjet machine, MWR has selected a Mid Rail Gantry system equipped with the latest Permalign® EDGE taper control and bevel cutting technology. The system features IGEMS CAD/CAM/NESTING software and is powered by a 60,000 psi 100 hp intensifier pump. This new multi-axis water jet system will complement the existing 3-axis 90,000 psi 100 hp High Rail Gantry system, which was installed in 2008.

“Our business is all about speed,” said Michael Waltrip. “We have to get design improvements to the racetrack as fast as possible to be competitive, and that’s going to be more important than ever this year with NASCAR’s mass rule changes. Our first waterjet helped us get new parts to the racetrack two weeks faster and made us a force to be reckoned with. Just think what we’ll be able to do with two of these cutting systems!”

Jet Edge president Jude Lague said the manufacturer is thrilled to continue its relationship with MWR. “Our partnership with MWR has exceeded our wildest expectations,” noted Lague. “They have been a powerful endorsement of our capabilities and we’re proud to be associated with such a first-class organization. We’re really excited that Brian Vickers is racing for us again this year. He had a great run at Loudon and we’re looking forward to Martinsville.”

Established in 1984, Jet Edge is a global designer and manufacturer of waterjet systems for precision cutting, surface preparation and coating removal. These systems are used around the world in a broad range of industries, from the world’s leading airlines to automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturers, machine and job shops.

Jet Edge waterjet systems are proudly made in the U.S. www.jetedge.com, sales@jetedge.com, www.michaelwaltrip.com