Reutimann Finishes 12th in the 51st Running of the Daytona 500

// Courtesy : Autostock Images //

Daytona Beach, FL (February 15, 2009) David Reutimann drove the No. 00 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Aaron’s Dream Machine to a 12th place finish in Sunday’s 51st running of the Daytona 500. Reutimann was moving through the field when the caution flag came flew with 55-laps to go as rain moved into the area. The race was called official after a 20-minute rain delay and Reutimann would settle for the 12th place finish in the opening race of the 36-race season.
 
Starting the Great American Race in the 28th position, Reutimann quickly moved up to as far as 13th while struggling with a loose condition early the race. Crew Chief Rodney Childers and the team made minor chassis adjustments to the Aaron’s Dream Machine over several outstanding pit stops and improved the handling through the high-banks of Daytona International Speedway.
 
While running 17th midway through the race, Reutimann dodged a multi-car wreck at the front of the field on lap 123 that damaged several cars as sprinkles of rain began to fall in the area. After a long caution to clean the debris, Reutimann would restart 21st and begin his march to the front.
 
Running the outside high line with teammate Marcos Ambrose the duo moved up through the field until the final caution fell on lap 145. Rain began to pepper the track and the racecars were ordered to pit road in hopes that the weather would pass. After a 20 minute red flag, NASCAR officials finally called the race and Reutimann would collect a 12th place finish, the best in his short NSCS career.
 
The next race for Reutimann and the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine will be at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA next Sunday Feb. 22 at 4:00 PM eastern. The Auto Club Speedway will also be the site of the debut of Ken Butler III in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he will drive R3 Motorsports No. 23 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine in the Stater Bros 300 Saturday Feb. 21. 

Waltrip to Roll Off 17th in Bud Shootout

// Courtesy : Michael Waltrip Racing //

Daytona Beach, FL – Michael Waltrip and the NAPA Racing team will kick off the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season on Saturday, Feb. 7 by competing in the 31st annual Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. Last night Waltrip entertained a live audience when he participated in the event’s qualifying-draw party. The driver pulled the number 17 flag from a Budweiser bottle which equated to his starting spot and it also was the car number his older brother Darrell ran when he won the 1989 Daytona 500.
 
“My draw obviously didn’t go well,” shrugged Waltrip. “I really enjoyed my time here and it was great to see all the fans that came to watch because it was cold out on the SPEED stage.”
 
Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout will feature a star-studded lineup as well as a new format. The field will consist of the top six teams from each manufacturer based on the final 2008 owner points standings Eligibility is based on owners competing in the event with the same manufacturer as last season. In addition, each manufacturer will be able to enter a seventh car or "wild card" entry.
 
The criteria for the wild card entry are:
Any owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owner points whose driver is a past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion that attempted to qualify for all 2008 events (only one position will be filled per manufacturer and will be based on the most recent past champion per manufacturer).
n IfAn owner/manufacturer does not have a past champion driver, the next highest eligible owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owner points from each manufacturer will be eligible to compete in the event.
 
Among the drivers that will be competing against Waltrip include two-time and reigning Budweiser Shootout champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon, three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, three-time Budweiser Shootout winner Tony Stewart, Waltrip’s teammate David Reutimann, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. A total of 28 drivers will make up the field.
 
Drawing the pole position was Paul Menard. Reutimann and his No. 00 Aaron’s Dream MachineToyota Camry will line up 22nd.
 
The new format boasts a longer distance going from 70 to 75 laps (187.5 miles) on the 2.5-mile tri-oval. The race will have two segments of 25 and 50 laps. Both green- and yellow-flag laps will count. Between segments, there will be a 10-minute pit stop at which time teams will pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments.
 
“I am really looking forward to racing my car in the Shootout on Saturday night,” said Waltrip. “It is a great opportunity for the NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota to show off a little bit. I love Daytona.”
 
The Budweiser Shootout will get underway at 8 p.m. ET and will air on FOX television network and the MRN and Sirius XM Satellite Radio networks.

Reutimann's Ready for First Ever Bud Shootout

// Courtesy : Autostock Images //

EXCITEMENT ABOUT FIRST BUD SHOOTOUT AND GOALS FOR THE RACE

"This is a good opportunity for the No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry team to get out there and use this race as sort of a test," said Reutimann. "The Bud Shootout will give us a chance to learn how our car will react in the draft. It also gives me and my new crew chief, Rodney Childers, and I a chance to work together in a race environment for the first time. We had the chance to go test together at Texas Motor Speedway during a Goodyear tire test and that went really well. We're still learning each other, but I know we are going to be just fine. I think we're probably somewhat alike. Our focus is to go out there and log some laps and in the end be there in contention for a win. It would be a great way to kick off Speedweeks and give us some momentum going into the Daytona 500 even though we'll use a different car."

TEAM IN TACT AND REUTIMANN'S HAPPY TO HAVE FAMILY NUMBER BACK

"All my team from last year will be the same group of guys aside from the new crew chief for the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine," said Reutimann. "There's a few of my guys that were with me back in the Truck Series days when I drove for Darrell Waltrip. I’m thankful the team is in tact and I am really happy about having the No. 00 back on my NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's Dream Machine. The fabled number has been in my family for over 50 years and it means a lot to me personally to have it on my door. I'm thankful for Aaron's sticking with me through my career. They were there with me for my first NASCAR Nationwide Series win at Memphis Motorsports Park a couple years ago and I hope to be able to win my first Cup race with them."

RACING IN HOMETOWN

"It’s great to have an opportunity to race close to home," said Reutimann. "Zephyrhills (Fla.) is only a couple hours away. Because my hometown is so close, it gives my friends and family a chance to come out to watch me race. Being at Daytona doesn’t give me an advantage over the other drivers. Daytona is its own animal, anything can happen here."
WORKING THE DRAFT: "You've got to make friends out there to make your way to the front," said Reutimann. "You have to prove yourself and make the other guys comfortable around you so they will draft with you. You have to be in the right line at the right time. The draft is certainly what helps win the race, but it’s all about timing. If the line is moving forward down low you just have to stay down there with the pack. You’ll change your line the entire race."

BREAKING AWAY FROM THE TRACK TO RELAX BEFORE YOU RUN THE DAYTONA 500

"My focus will be on the Daytona 500," said Reutimann. I will be preparing for the race all throughout the week. I will probably try to watch my dad (Buzzie 68) race in the modified race in Tampa. At 68, he is still heavily involved in the Winternationals Open Wheel Modified Series at East Bay Raceway. This is actually a big weekend for the Modifieds; it’s like the Daytona of the dirt track Modified lasting from Wednesday to Saturday."
CHASSIS INFORMATION: The No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine for the Bud Shootout is chassis #617. "I don't believe it has ever been on a racetrack before I came over," said Crew Chief Rodney Childers. "It should be a good car and has a lot of improvements from last year."

RACE INFORMATION

Live coverage of the NASCAR Budweiser Shootout will be Saturday, February 7th at 8:00 p.m. EST on FOX.