David Reutimann drove Michael Waltrip's #99 Aaron's Dream Machine to 22nd in the Diamond Hill Plywood 200, tonight's Busch Series race in Darlington, South Carolina.
Reutimann rolled off the grid 32nd. Although he had qualified 34th, he advanced one row after outside polesitter Carl Edwards had to drop to the rear of the field for repairs to his #60. Denny Hamlin's #20 started on the pole.
Jamie McMurray jumped to the outside and took the top spot in the first turn. Hamlin fell to third, as Reutimann gained 31st to JJ Yeley. The #99 picked up another spot to David Green the next time around the track. Two laps later, Reutimann gained 29th to Joel Kauffman. Matt Kenseth also led during this run.
Aaron Fike's #43 began smoking heavily on lap 6. His car burst into flames as oil leaked from the machine. The first caution came on the next lap for Fike.
The yellow flag waved for the second time on lap 21. Ashton Lewis Jr lost a tire and hit the Turn 2 wall. When leaders pit, Tim Sauter remained on the track and took the lead. Tony Stewart grabbed the top spot during that following run, but lost it to McMurray.
By lap 44, Reutimann was up to 25th. Five laps later, he lost a spot to Todd Kluever. Passing Brian Vickers on lap 52 allowed him to regain 25th. He gained another spot to John Andretti two laps later, and another to John Andretti the next time around the track.
Kenseth rode side-by-side with McMurray on lap 61, but saw the yellow flag before he could challenge the race leader.
The third caution came on lap 62 when Jon Wood spun. The field slowed, and Edwards turned Kertis Davis into the wall. The leaders pit under caution.
Lap 68 saw the restart, which Hamlin led. Reutimann was 24th. Kenseth dropped inside the #20 and took the lead one lap into the run. Meanwhile, Reutimann picked up two spots. He passed Todd Kluever for 21st one lap after that, and Stephen Leicht for 20th one circuit later. On lap 72, he gained 19th from Burney Lamar.
The yellow flag waved for the fourth time on lap 76. Steve Park slowed to stay off Mark McFarland, and Mike Bliss ripped off the left rear quarter panel of Park's #31.
Racing resumed on lap 80, with Kenseth in the lead. Reutimann was 19th. Lamar passed him one lap later, but he regained the spot seven laps after that. Reutimann was back to 20th two laps later when Brian Vickers passed him. He picked up 19th from Paul Menard on lap 114, just before the yellow flag waved.
The fifth caution came on lap 115 for debris. The leaders made stops, and Hamlin was the first driver off pit road. Reutimann lost a few spots on pit road, coming off 27th.
Hamlin led the lap 120 restart. Reutimann was 26th, and gained a spot before the yellow flag waved.
Reed Sorenson got into Stacy Compton and spun out, drawing the sixth yellow flag on lap 122.
The race restarted on lap 125. Hamlin led, with Reutimann 24th.
The yellow flag returned immediately. Carl Edwards got into the back of Ryan Newman, turning him sideways. The field bottled. Scott Wimmer and Tony Stewart were also collected.
The green flag returned on lap 129. Hamlin led, and Reutimann was 22nd. The #99 passed Leicht's #90 for 21st.
The eighth caution came on lap 131. Tony Stewart came up and bounced off Joel Kauffman. Stewart got into him again after the caution, and hit Kenny Wallace into Todd Kluever.
Hamlin led the lap 135 restart. Reutimann was 19th. Three laps into the run, Clint Bowyer got into him and dropped him a spot.
The nineth caution came on lap 142. Tim Sauter wrecked his brother Jay, collecting Steve Park, Mike Wallace, and Todd Kluever.
Lap 146 saw the restart. Hamlin led, and Reutimann was 20th. He lost two spots one lap into the run when Reagan Smith and Ashton Lewis Jr passed. Hamlin went on to win, and Reutimann finished in the 22nd position.
Watch Mikey race tomorrow! Coverage of the Dodge Charger 500 begins at 6:30pm ET on FOX.
