David Reutimann drove the Michael Waltrip Racing #99 Aaron's Dream Machine to a 9th place finish in the Food City 250, tonight's Busch Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He spent 75 of 250 laps in the top ten.
David started from the 31st position. Two cautions came within the first thirty laps. The first was for Jay Sauter's wreck. The second yellow came when Newman spun out Eric McClure and Reed Sorenson. David had advanced to 24th by then.
Racing resumed on lap 33 with Newman leading and David in 24th. The Aaron's Dream Machine picked up two spots on lap 41, and one lap later, got around Danny O'Quinn. Lap 45 saw David get around Burney Lamar for 20th.
The yellow flag waved for the third time on lap 53. Steve Grissom was smoking out the rear when he lost his power steering. Kertis Davis received the free pass. Because JJ Yeley was the only one in front of the #99 who chose to make a stop, David gained just one spot.
Lap 58 saw the restart with David in 19th. Newman continued to lead. Neither changed positions before the next yellow flag.
The fourth caution came on lap 71 when Kenny Wallace turned Todd Kluever. Kluever's #06 rear-ended the wall, and Shane Huffman received the free pass. Most drivers made stops, including David.
The green flag waved on lap 77 with David in 34th. Newman, who had stayed on the track, held onto the top spot. The yellow flag waved again one lap later.
The fifth caution was for Johnny Sauter. He had shoved down into Denny Hamlin, and when Hamlin held his line, Sauter's #00 spun. David was told to "back it down" and to hold the bottom line. He cleared the scene.
Newman led the lap 83 restart, with David in 33rd. One lap into the run, the #99 got around Auggie Vidovich. By lap 89, he'd picked up 30th by getting around Tim Sauter and Denny Hamlin. He got around David Green one lap later and was now 29th.
The yellow flag waved for the sixth time on lap 95. Kertis Davis moved up into Tim Sauter and made hard contact with the inside wall. Behind Davis, Sauter's #36 bounced off Shane Hall. Some cars made stops, including the race leader.
Mike and Kenny Wallace stayed on the track, among others, and ran one-two on the lap 100 restart. David was 14th. The Wallace brothers were battling for the lead when the yellow returned immediately.
The seventh caution was for a wreck involving David Green and Auggie Vidovich. The pair made contact, and Greg Biffle ran into them. NASCAR black-flagged Lamar for sheet metal sticking out the front of his car. Lamar's penalty allowed David to pick up a spot under yellow.
Mike Wallace led the lap 108 restart with his brother Kenny on his rear fender. David was 13th. Three laps into the run, he picked up a spot to Shane Huffman. Lap 115 saw him pass Scott Wimmer for another spot, and one lap later, he broke into the top 10. David passed Stacy Compton for 9th on lap 119.
Lap 122 saw the eighth caution when Matt Kenseth mowed into Stephen Leicht. Leicht bounced off the wall, and when he came down the track, he hit Carl Edwards. Mike Wallace pit under caution, giving the lead to Kasey Kahne.
Racing resumed on lap 126. Kahne led, and David was 8th. Three laps into the run, Harvick passed him for position. Ron Hornaday got around him on lap 132. Seven laps later, Jon Wood's drop gained David 9th; however, McMurray, Newman, and Kyle Busch passed. He was back to 12th. TNT reported that he'd pitted twice with damage under the last caution and had also taken on a chassis adjustment. Matt Kenseth passed on lap 173, just before the yellow flag waved.
The nineth caution came on lap 174 when Jeff Burton lost his right front tire and hit the wall. Carl Edwards received the free pass, and David was among the drivers who chose to make a stop. The first fifteen cars stayed on track.
The green flag returned on lap 182. Kahne led, and David was 17th. The #99 picked up a spot one lap into the run.
The yellow waved on lap 189. Kenny Wallace had been bumping the back of Mike Skinner, and when Kyle Busch checked up for the pair, Jason Leffler rear-ended him. Newman had to pit with a broken wheel.
Lap 193 saw the restart. Kahne led, and David was 13th. Harvick bumped Kahne out of his way and took the lead on lap 196. Three laps later, David had 11th. He broke into the top 10 again by getting around Kenny Wallace on lap 200. He had just passed Mike Skinner when the yellow flag returned.
The eleventh caution was on lap 209, after several cars spun in oil. Aric Almirola, Tim Sauter, Shane Huffman, Burney Lamar, and Jamie McMurray were among the drivers involved. NASCAR red-flagged the race as safety workers helped Tim Sauter out of his #36. Sauter emerged with a neck brace, and he got on a stretcher to travel to the infield care centre.
The race returned to yellow ten minutes and fifteen seconds later. Harvick led the lap 216 restart, with 35 laps to go. David was 8th.
The yellow flag waved for the twelfth time on lap 219. Johnny Sauter rammed into the back of Kenny Wallace and threw him into the wall. Wallace's #22 came down the track and made contact with Edwards.
Lap 233 saw the restart. Harvick led, and David was 8th. Kenseth muscled his way along the outside and took the lead on lap 235 for the first time that night. David had just moved up to 7th when the yellow returned.
The thirteenth caution was on lap 238. Mike Skinner had nudged Kevin Lepage, who spun. As the only driver one lap down, Regan Smith received the free pass.
Racing resumed on lap 241, with concern that race leader Kenseth may have cut down his tire due to contact with Kenseth. David was 7th but immediately lost the spot to Newman.
Newman spun out Denny Hamlin, allowing David to pick up 7th and bringing out the fourteenth caution on lap 245. Cars checked up behind Hamlin and Newman, and Bowyer spun and picked up heavy nose damage.
Lap 248 saw the restart. Kenseth led, and David was 7th. Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards passed going into the last lap. The #99 crossed the stripe 9th, with Kenseth picking up the win.
Watch TNT tomorrow at 7:00pm ET to see Mikey race Bristol in the Nextel Cup Series!
