SPARTA, Ky. (AP) - Even as he traveled the world racing cars, Michael Waltrip always had a soft spot for his old Kentucky home.

On Thursday he announced he was honoring his favorite college team.

Waltrip was at Kentucky Speedway, site of this week's NASCAR races, to unveil a new paint motif on driver Mark Martin's Toyota which pays homage to University of Kentucky national champion men's basketball team of coach John Calipari. UK's mascot and AD Mitch Barnhart were on hand as a black cover was pulled off the blue-and-white car to reveal several national championship logos.

Like at a movie premiere, dozens of photographers snapped photos.

No Big Blue players were around, largely because six were expected to be taken in Thursday night's NBA draft.