NASCAR fan votes carrying Waltrip in Dancing with Stars
| Star | Score |
| Alfonso Ribeiro | 39 |
| Bethany Mota | 36 |
| Sadie Robertson | 35 |
| Janel Parrish | 33 |
| Lea Thompson | 32 |
| Jonathan Bennett | 32 |
| Michael Waltrip | 30 |
| Antonio Sabato Jr. | 28 |
| Tommy Chong | 28 |
| Judge | Score |
| Carrie Ann Inaba | 8 |
| Julianne Hough | 8 |
| Bruno Tonioli | 7 |
| Pitbull | 7 |
| Total | 30 |
The duo earned their highest score to date of 30 out of 40.
Although Waltrip and Slater received praise for this week's performance, they found themselves in the bottom three for the fifth time this season, based on last two weeks worth of scores and fan votes.
Joining Waltrip and Slater in the bottom were actress Janel Parrish and actor Jonathan Bennett. Bennett was eliminated.
Before Waltrip received his scores, host Tom Bergeron even commented on the driver/owner's self-assured demeanor.
"That was amazing," Bergeron said. "I don't know what they'll say, but that was the most confident you've looked to me."
After what seemed like a dramatic pause, Judge Carrie Ann Inaba shared her thoughts on the routine.
"OK so this is a very different approach, and it worked," Inaba said. "Michael, this is what a champion is made out of. Tonight I felt like I was watching a champion. You were composed. You were elegant. You actually dared to really try to dance. Totally vulnerable. Dance is life. That was beautiful life out there."
Along with performing on the show, Grammy-winning artist Pitbull was also a guest judge on the panel. The performer, also known as "Mr. Worldwide," gave Waltrip and Slater seven points out of their total score.
"At first, I was feeling for you," Pitbull said. "I said, 'Oh man, is he gonna pull this through?' You did a great job, and I see that you got so much into the moment. You even tried to sneak a kiss at the end."
"I felt like that was a Mr. Worldwide move," Waltrip responded. "I'm just Mr. Kentucky. I thought it was worth a shot."
Judge Julianne Hough explained her reasoning behind her tough love the week before and also commended Waltrip and Slater for this week's performance.
"We were all pretty tough on you last week, and I want to tell you the reason why," Hough said. "Because you kind of hide behind this comedy, right? When you come out here, we see that you really want this, and I got a little teary-eyed watching you because I could see how much you really want this, and this was authentic tonight. This was who you are. I'm getting all emotional because I know you want it, and to me, you and Jonathan tonight were the real 'you' and that is what works is honesty and being true to yourself so congratulations. That was beautiful, and Emma, the choreography was beautiful."
Slater has worked with Waltrip week-after-week on perfecting his ballroom dancing. This week, it paid off.
"I just wanted to honor her," Waltrip said of Slater. "She gave me such a beautiful dance. She gave me a chance to celebrate how special she is to me. I got so excited (that) I tried to kiss her, but I missed."
"I'm so proud because this isn't easy, and he's not a professional dancer," Slater said. "But I love him exactly the way he is, and we're trying to just show what it means to us and what it means to Michael. And he's a champion in my eyes."
Along with his highest score of the season, Waltrip also had an impressive 16th-place finish on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway and Slater even joined Waltrip at the track for the weekend.
Drivers and fans alike showed their love at Talladega for Waltrip and Slater. Even 11-time Most Popular Driver Award winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. showed his support for his former teammate.
"You know that everybody is pulling for you, buddy," Earnhardt said. "Keep having fun. Just be yourself."
"The entire NASCAR nation has gotten behind Michael and it is phenomenal," Slater said from the track.