David Reutimann was fairly certain he was going to drive something for Michael Waltrip Racing next season when the team plans to field two full-time NASCAR Busch Series entries and two Nextel Cup teams.
Then Waltrip unexpectedly spilled the beans during a news conference last weekend at Talladega, Ala. He planned to put Reutimann in one of his Busch cars next season.
Reutimann, driving full time in the Craftsman Truck Series this season, becomes only the second driver publicly named who will drive a Toyota entry in 2007. Waltrip is the other, driving for his own Cup operation.
"I guess it was a trickle-down deal. I was like the last guy to find out," said Reutimann, who spent Tuesday and Wednesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway watching the Cup test session.
"Michael and I had talked about it some last year. I was kind of hoping it would pan out. I'm glad I'm staying with the same family and basically the same organization."
Reutimann has been driving for a truck team owned by Michael's brother, Darrell, since 2004. He earned his first Truck win last season at Nashville.
"I think most of Michael's program is still in the building stage and I'm not sure of everything that is going to happen between now and next year," he said. "I'm in a really good situation right now."
