DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Former NASCAR champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett will drive a Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) during the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season, MWR announced prior to the running of the Darlington (S.C.) 500.

Jarrett will partner with team owner Michael Waltrip in driving a pair of Toyota Camrys in MWR's inaugural full season on the Nextel Cup circuit. This season, Jarrett will continue to compete in the No. 88 Ford Fusion for Robert Yates Racing.

"Dale's resume speaks for itself," Waltrip said. "To have a NASCAR champion on our team is another significant piece of the puzzle that pulls together our vision. I know his knowledge and experience will be invaluable for our start-up team with a new manufacturer, and will allow our organization to grow and succeed at a faster pace."

"This was a very difficult decision," Jarrett explained. "I feel this is a great opportunity for me to take on a new challenge and what they are building at Michael Waltrip Racing fits my plans for the future."

One of the keys to Jarrett's decision to join Michael Waltrip Racing next season was the Toyota's performance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

"Toyota's strategic entry into NASCAR has been impressive," Jarrett added. "The mark they have made in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the last three years is reason enough to want to be part of their entrance into the Cup series."

Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Cup champion, entered the 2006 season with 32 career wins and 16 career pole positions. The Hickory, N.C.-native also is a three-time winner of the prestigious Daytona 500 (1993, 1996 and 2000). The 48-year-old veteran made his Cup debut in 1984 and completed his first full season of Cup competition in 1987. During his career, Jarrett has driven for Cale Yarborough (1989), the Wood Brothers (1990-91), Joe Gibbs Racing (1992-94) and Robert Yates Racing (1995-2006).

"It's great that an accomplished and talented driver like Dale Jarrett will join Michael Waltrip Racing next season and drive a Toyota Camry," said Jim Aust, vice president of motorsports at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc and President and CEO of Toyota Racing Development (TRD). "As a former series champion, Dale has had a tremendous amount of success during his career and has been an excellent ambassador for the sport of stock car racing. Obviously, he's a valuable addition to Michael's growing race team and should play a key role in further developing that organization."