DARLINGTON, S.C. -– This weekend David Reutimann will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Darlington Raceway.
"It’s nice that Michael and his team are giving me the opportunity to race the Aaron’s Dream Machine this weekend,” said Reutimann. “I’ve always enjoyed racing in the NASCAR Busch Series. I’m looking forward to Darlington, which is one of the most challenging tracks on the schedule. You always hear people talk about how abrasive and how tough it is on tires, cars and everything else. You have to have a good setup, take care of your tires and don’t overdo it. The Aaron’s car that we are taking to Darlington is the one that Michael ran at Texas Motor Speedway (25th) in April.”
As Reutimann takes the reigns, Jerry Baxter will be his crew chief. “I will continue in that role for now,” said Baxter. “Today, we’re trying to wrap up our test at Lowe’s (Motor Speedway) with Michael before heading to Darlington with David on Thursday. Everything’s going well and we’re making gains during the test. Looking ahead to Darlington, our goals are to build on what we've done with David in the past. He’s going to be driving for us more and this is just another chance for us to get used to each other. He’s a really good driver, he’s competitive and he wants to race all the time. We love that.”
In 18 NASCAR Busch Series career starts, Reutimann’s best finish is fifth-place occurring at both the Milwaukee Mile (6/29/03) and Nashville Superspeedway (4/12/03). Out of those races, Darlington is absent from his list. However, Reutimann gained some experience at the 1.366 egg-shaped oval in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during 2004.
“We had a top-10 finish in sight, but we were involved in a wreck at the end of the race,” said Reutimann, who finished 28th in his No. 17 Toyota. “It was my rookie year and it seemed like I was doing everything wrong. I wasn’t driving real smart. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has taught me to drive smart. I realize that you might not always have a truck or car capable of winning, but you need to get the most out of it without destroying the race vehicle in the process. I think it goes back to the note DW (Darrell Waltrip) taped on my dash that reads ‘Don’t Beat Yourself.’ The series and my team have really helped me learn that.”
Reutimann enters Darlington following a third-place finish at Gateway International Raceway in the most recent NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. The Florida native is having a breakout year in the division recording one pole, three top-five and four top-10 finishes in five starts. Reutimann looks to carry his success over to the NASCAR Busch Series.
“My truck team is awesome and having our best finish of the year at Gateway was definitely a plus,” said Reutimann, who led 63 laps. “Hopefully, we can carry some momentum over to the NASCAR Busch Series. Because the Busch team is turning things around, it’s neat to be a part of that deal right now. Running this race for Aaron’s and Michael Waltrip Racing is a golden opportunity for me. It helps prepare me for whatever the future holds.”
Following the NASCAR Busch Series event, Reutimann travels to his hometown of Zephyrhills (Fla.) for his golf tournament this Saturday at the Silverado Golf and Country Club benefiting All Children’s Hospital.
“This event is two-fold,” said Reutimann. “First, we are trying to raise some awareness about the great work they do at All Children’s Hospital for children that have illnesses. Secondly, and most importantly, is to try and raise some money to help them do different things that will help the kids. This is our second annual event. I’m not there and I’m not doing all the work on it, but there are some great people behind the event making it all happen.”
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR Busch Series race is scheduled on Friday, May 12th. Live coverage will begin on FX at 8 p.m. Eastern and on MRN Radio.
