Tweet
IO just ran across this. First I heard of it. Did I just miss it? Bob.....
FABRIZIO, The Tampa Tribune
Published: October 12, 2007
Zephyrhills' David Reutimann has agreed to a new contract with Michael Waltrip Racing that will again allow him to compete full time in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series, although he'll be in a different Cup car after the first part of the year.
Reutimann confirmed Thursday that he'll move from the No. 00 Toyota into the UPS-sponsored No. 44 Toyota after the first five races, replacing 1999 Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett, who is cutting back to a limited schedule. Jarrett, 50, will run the first five races and the Nextel All-Star Challenge.
The moves will be announced today in a MWR news conference in which the organization reportedly also will announce it is following the lead of several other teams and partnering with an investor.
'I'm pretty happy all the way around,' Reutimann said. 'The cars have been good, the guys are doing a good job. They made me an offer I think was fair, so we're ready to go.'
Reutimann has had a respectable rookie season driving for a new team and a manufacturer competed in its first season in Nextel Cup and the Busch Series. He has outqualified his teammates, Jarrett and team owner Michael Waltrip, and he ranks higher than either in the standings, although none of the three are in the top 35 in the owners standings.
In the Busch Series, where he'll return next year in the No. 99 Toyota, Reutimann is second in the points to Carl Edwards with four top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.
Because Jarrett will start the Nextel Cup season with six former champions provisionals, he is assured of starting all five of his points races, and he may be able to get the No. 44 team into the top 35 in the owners standings. That would allow Reutimann to take over with a guaranteed starting berth.
'I would definitely think so,' Reutimann said. 'I'm going to be in the No. 00 car the first part of the year, so hopefully we can get that one in the top 35, too. Hopefully we can all three be there.'
Reutimann said he didn't know what will happen to the No. 00 team after he moves over but that his understanding was that Waltrip plans to continue running three cars. He said he expects his crew chief, Frank Kerr, and crew will move intact to the No. 44, but doesn't know for certain that it will work that way.
The Reutimann family has a history with the No. 00 that goes back decades. It was David's number while he was coming up through the ranks. But it now appears unlikely he'll be able to keep it.
'I'd love to keep it because it's my number, but I'm pretty sure the UPS car will be a No. 44,' he said. 'UPS has a done a lot of marketing around that number, and I would think they'll want to keep going in that direction.'
The switch will put Reutimann with one of NASCAR's best-known sponsors. UPS' extensive promotion has included its 'Race the Truck' TV commercials in which Jarrett eventually got to drive a souped-up brown delivery truck.
'I've just talked to UPS briefly,' Reutimann said. 'I'm sure D.J. is going to still be a pretty integral part of the whole operation. He'll still be their driver for the first part of the season, and I'm sure he'll remain a spokesperson and be involved. They haven't talked to me about commercials or anything like that.'
Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994 or afabrizio@tampatrib.com.
Reader Comments
Posted by ( joecitizen ) on October 12, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another good move by mwr to keep one of the rising stars in nascar ans solidfy there team in the coming year.Good luck david all your friends from sunshine speedway we will always cheer you on to victory.
FABRIZIO, The Tampa Tribune
Published: October 12, 2007
Zephyrhills' David Reutimann has agreed to a new contract with Michael Waltrip Racing that will again allow him to compete full time in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series, although he'll be in a different Cup car after the first part of the year.
Reutimann confirmed Thursday that he'll move from the No. 00 Toyota into the UPS-sponsored No. 44 Toyota after the first five races, replacing 1999 Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett, who is cutting back to a limited schedule. Jarrett, 50, will run the first five races and the Nextel All-Star Challenge.
The moves will be announced today in a MWR news conference in which the organization reportedly also will announce it is following the lead of several other teams and partnering with an investor.
'I'm pretty happy all the way around,' Reutimann said. 'The cars have been good, the guys are doing a good job. They made me an offer I think was fair, so we're ready to go.'
Reutimann has had a respectable rookie season driving for a new team and a manufacturer competed in its first season in Nextel Cup and the Busch Series. He has outqualified his teammates, Jarrett and team owner Michael Waltrip, and he ranks higher than either in the standings, although none of the three are in the top 35 in the owners standings.
In the Busch Series, where he'll return next year in the No. 99 Toyota, Reutimann is second in the points to Carl Edwards with four top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.
Because Jarrett will start the Nextel Cup season with six former champions provisionals, he is assured of starting all five of his points races, and he may be able to get the No. 44 team into the top 35 in the owners standings. That would allow Reutimann to take over with a guaranteed starting berth.
'I would definitely think so,' Reutimann said. 'I'm going to be in the No. 00 car the first part of the year, so hopefully we can get that one in the top 35, too. Hopefully we can all three be there.'
Reutimann said he didn't know what will happen to the No. 00 team after he moves over but that his understanding was that Waltrip plans to continue running three cars. He said he expects his crew chief, Frank Kerr, and crew will move intact to the No. 44, but doesn't know for certain that it will work that way.
The Reutimann family has a history with the No. 00 that goes back decades. It was David's number while he was coming up through the ranks. But it now appears unlikely he'll be able to keep it.
'I'd love to keep it because it's my number, but I'm pretty sure the UPS car will be a No. 44,' he said. 'UPS has a done a lot of marketing around that number, and I would think they'll want to keep going in that direction.'
The switch will put Reutimann with one of NASCAR's best-known sponsors. UPS' extensive promotion has included its 'Race the Truck' TV commercials in which Jarrett eventually got to drive a souped-up brown delivery truck.
'I've just talked to UPS briefly,' Reutimann said. 'I'm sure D.J. is going to still be a pretty integral part of the whole operation. He'll still be their driver for the first part of the season, and I'm sure he'll remain a spokesperson and be involved. They haven't talked to me about commercials or anything like that.'
Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994 or afabrizio@tampatrib.com.
Reader Comments
Posted by ( joecitizen ) on October 12, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another good move by mwr to keep one of the rising stars in nascar ans solidfy there team in the coming year.Good luck david all your friends from sunshine speedway we will always cheer you on to victory.
Comment