Michael Waltrip, No. 71 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia, meets Miss 24 Hours of Le Mans for 2011. Photo credit: Rick Dole for Michelin North America

One of the biggest names in North American motorsports makes his Le Mans debut in 2011, as Michael Waltrip adds “24 Hours of Le Mans” entrant to his résumé.

Waltrip will race in the No. 71 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia with his partner at Michael Waltrip Racing, Rob Kauffman, and Portuguese driver Rui Aguas. AF Corse, an Italian-based team, will field three Ferraris in this year’s race – the team’s sister No. 51 Ferrari F458 has three drivers who have either competed previously or currently for Risi Competizione: Toni Vilander, Gianmaria Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella.

The Owensboro, Ky. native had a wild ride to even get to Le Mans, after calling a NASCAR Truck race from Kansas the day before.

In what Kauffman described as a “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” situation, Waltrip embarked on a cross-country voyage where he went from cars to helicopters, planes to scooters and stopped at everything in-between to get here.

“Never take for granted everything will work right,” he said. “Everything went smooth and ran on time.”

Waltrip and MWR are looking toward additional sports car opportunities in North America, potentially the American Le Mans Series. Kauffman said the chance to race Petit Le Mans would be another dream come true for the organization.

“We got some people we’ve talked to, helping to organize it over in the U.S. with Amato Ferrari,” Waltrip said. “We’d make sure we’re able to do it competitively with the 458.”

Ferrari, no relation to Enzo Ferrari, is team principal for AF Corse.