PHOENIX, AZ (April 19, 2009) David Reutimann collected his second top-ten of the young NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season finishing eighth at Phoenix International Raceway in his Michael Waltrip Racing No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry. The solid finish moved Reutimann up two positions in the championship point’s race from 11th to ninth.
The team had another fast Aaron’s Dream Machine when they unloaded Friday at the one-mile tri-oval and Reutimann qualified eighth for the first Saturday night race on the Cup schedule. As the sun was setting in the Arizona desert and the green flag dropped, Reutimann wasted little time moving forward and positioning himself comfortably in the top-five after the first 25-laps of the 312 lap event.
As the early laps wore on, Reutimann reported that the Aaron’s Dream Machine needed to rotate better through the center of the flat-banked turns if they were going to have a chance to challenge for the lead. Crew Chief Rodney Childers ordered tire pressure changes during the first two pit stops hoping the adjustments would correct the tight condition, but did little to help as Reutimann fell back to tenth.
During stops midway through the race, Childers made slight chassis changes that helped bring life back to the Dream Machine and Reutimann would move back into the top-five at lap 141.
Running fourth in the closing laps, a late caution with 11-laps remaining forced Reutimann and Childers to make quick decisions whether to pit or not and take two tires or four. As the Dream Machine followed the leaders down pit road for service, Childers ordered a four-tire change while most of the other competitors took two tires or chose not to pit. The extra time needed to change all four tires moved Reutimann back to 11th.
When the green flag fell with six laps to go, Reutimann would charge forward to finish eighth and collect his second top-ten of the year.
“We had a good Aaron’s Dream Machine since the time we unloaded.” Reutimann said after the race. “We are at a point now where top-tens are great, that’s what we need to do. But in the end top-fives are better and I think we had a top-five car tonight. The guys have been working hard on our flat-track program and we had a good night.”
Reutimann’s performance helped Aaron’s receive excellent exposure on the television and radio broadcasts as the reporters frequently covered the progress of the Aaron’s Dream Machine throughout the race. Aaron’s also had increased visibility with the 70,000 attending fans as associates from Aaron’s Western Operations division setup a strategically positioned display tent outside of the racetrack and hosted a very popular register-to-win television giveaway.
Up next is the Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312 is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 and will feature Michael Waltrip back behind the wheel of the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine. The Cup Series Aaron’s 499 will be Sunday, April 26 at the famous high-banked tri-oval where Reutimann will look to continue his run of solid performances.
The team had another fast Aaron’s Dream Machine when they unloaded Friday at the one-mile tri-oval and Reutimann qualified eighth for the first Saturday night race on the Cup schedule. As the sun was setting in the Arizona desert and the green flag dropped, Reutimann wasted little time moving forward and positioning himself comfortably in the top-five after the first 25-laps of the 312 lap event.
As the early laps wore on, Reutimann reported that the Aaron’s Dream Machine needed to rotate better through the center of the flat-banked turns if they were going to have a chance to challenge for the lead. Crew Chief Rodney Childers ordered tire pressure changes during the first two pit stops hoping the adjustments would correct the tight condition, but did little to help as Reutimann fell back to tenth.
During stops midway through the race, Childers made slight chassis changes that helped bring life back to the Dream Machine and Reutimann would move back into the top-five at lap 141.
Running fourth in the closing laps, a late caution with 11-laps remaining forced Reutimann and Childers to make quick decisions whether to pit or not and take two tires or four. As the Dream Machine followed the leaders down pit road for service, Childers ordered a four-tire change while most of the other competitors took two tires or chose not to pit. The extra time needed to change all four tires moved Reutimann back to 11th.
When the green flag fell with six laps to go, Reutimann would charge forward to finish eighth and collect his second top-ten of the year.
“We had a good Aaron’s Dream Machine since the time we unloaded.” Reutimann said after the race. “We are at a point now where top-tens are great, that’s what we need to do. But in the end top-fives are better and I think we had a top-five car tonight. The guys have been working hard on our flat-track program and we had a good night.”
Reutimann’s performance helped Aaron’s receive excellent exposure on the television and radio broadcasts as the reporters frequently covered the progress of the Aaron’s Dream Machine throughout the race. Aaron’s also had increased visibility with the 70,000 attending fans as associates from Aaron’s Western Operations division setup a strategically positioned display tent outside of the racetrack and hosted a very popular register-to-win television giveaway.
Up next is the Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312 is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 and will feature Michael Waltrip back behind the wheel of the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine. The Cup Series Aaron’s 499 will be Sunday, April 26 at the famous high-banked tri-oval where Reutimann will look to continue his run of solid performances.
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Congratulations to David! Another great race!
ReplyDeleteif they would just stop losing so much every pit stop, David could contend for some wins.
ReplyDeleteDavid's driving his wheels off every week and showing some great results! That last caution killed him as he was running in the top 5 and faster than the field. Nice driving to the checkers and grabbing the top 10. REALLY hope to see the franchise in the chase.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the pit stops are hurting. I am just so happy to see him do so well, and fight back every week. If he can stay out of the big one this weekend i am looking for a top 5 finish.
ReplyDeleteIs great to see David doing so good, they just need the pit crew to do a better job. When they take care of that I'm sure he will be in the front alot more and will win races.
ReplyDelete