Reutimann 26th in Aaron's Dream Machine By Kellyanne Lynch 19 November 2005
David Reutimann fell off the lead lap early in the Ford 300, this afternoon's Busch Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His Michael Waltrip Racing #198 Aaron's Chevrolet finished 26th, two laps behind winner Ryan Newman.
Qualifying crash puts Napa Chevy last By Kellyanne Lynch 19 November 2005
Michael Waltrip spun and rear-ended the wall in Nextel Cup qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His #15 Napa Auto Parts Chevrolet will start last in tomorrow's Ford 400.
"I spun out" Mikey stated after the accident. "I had a crappy qualifying effort with the Busch car and decided I was going to put all the leg I had into it and just try a little bit harder. I guess I tried too hard."
Watch Mikey compete tomorrow in his last race with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated in the #15 ride. Coverage of the Ford 400 will start at 3pm on NBC.
Friday at Homestead By Kellyanne Lynch 18 November 2005
Michael Waltrip participated in practice sessions today, in preparation for this weekend's Nextel Cup and Busch Series races at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He ranked in the 30's in his #15 Napa Auto Parts Chevrolet and was 9th in two sessions in his #99 Aaron's Chevy. Two Dream Machines will be in the Busch race; Mikey is fielding Craftsman Truck Series driver David Reutimann in the #198.
The Napa Chevy was 33rd and 37th in first and second Cup practices respectively. In the first, Mikey turned his best lap in 31.612 seconds at 170.821 MPH and trailed pace-setter Ryan Newman by 0.842 seconds. He was 0.773 seconds behind Jeff Gordon in the second, with a 31.547-second lap at 171.173 MPH.
The #99 Aaron's Dream Machine was 9th in the two sessions Mikey ran. He turned a 31.711-second lap at 170.288 MPH in the first and a 31.404-second lap in 171.953 MPH in the second. Newman led both sessions; Mikey was off his time by 0.358 and 0.474 seconds. He did not participate in third practice in the evening.
The #98 Aaron's Dream Machine, piloted by David Reutimann, ranked 24th and 6th in the two sessions. He completed his best lap in the first in 31.996 seconds at 168.771 MPH and was 0.643 seconds behind Newman. He trailed Newman by 0.443 seconds in the next, with a 31.373-second lap at 172.123 MPH. Reutimann also opted out of third practice.
Both drivers will qualify tomorrow afternoon for the Busch Series' Ford 300. Mikey goes out 4th, while Reutimann will be 48th of 53. The Napa Chevy will take to the track 31st in Nextel Cup qualifying.
Be sure to watch both races! The Ford 300 starts tomorrow at 4:00pm ET on NBC. The Nextel Cup's Ford 400 will start at 3pm Sunday on the same channel.
~~ The Mikey Observer ~~
