2008 Preseason No. 22: David Reutimann

No. 00 Aaron's Toyota

2008 Spin
There are better days ahead for David Reutimann. Once viewed as a stopgap over at Michael Waltrip Racing, he’s now becoming its main attraction.

The likeable sophomore will drive the first five races of 2008 in his customary No. 00 digs, then jump into the seat vacated by the retiring Dale Jarrett at Martinsville, where he will don the high-profile No. 44 UPS colors. Only the number and sponsor will change; Reutimann’s cars and crew will remain intact.

Reutimann turned heads in the garage in 2007 by taking second-rate equipment and making it work at MWR. Under difficult circumstances, he did quite well, qualifying for 26 events and earning two top-15 finishes.

Now, he’s been given the ultimate reward. Having the backing of a loyal sponsor who has been in the racing game for seven years will take any and all pressure off. Reutimann, by all outward appearances, is set to go racing in a well-funded ride for the foreseeable future.

While the sponsorship deal and newfound Cup experience are a plus, there is still quite a bit of work ahead. Qualifying for the first five events is priority No. 1. However, if any driver in the program can do it, it’s Reutimann; he’s been through the drill once before, so the pressure will come as no surprise.

Priority No. 2 comes in adjusting to a new crew chief. After several seasons tending to the former No. 01 Chevrolet, Ryan Pemberton comes over from DEI and should provide a spark, as well as the strongest mind within a program badly in need of his patient guidance and direction. The upward potential here could be rather impressive if Pemberton and Reutimann click.

That leads us, of course, to priority No. 3: improving on race day. Taking your lumps as a rookie is expected, but so is bettering your results as a sophomore. Reutimann has the tools to get these tasks accomplished, and with more familiar surroundings at the track and inside his Camry, he should be in the hunt for a few top 10s by season’s end.

Opposing Crew Chiefs’ Take
“With the equipment he had and the things that went on over there, Reutimann did a hell of a job. Michael Waltrip went out and built three teams, and the other two couldn’t make it work. If you look at all the events he qualified for and what he had to work for, Reutimann gets an A-plus. … From my perspective, Reutimann and Dave Blaney were the highlights of Toyota’s season. … Now that Joe Gibbs Racing
is with Toyota, you’ve got to wonder how much JGR is going to take all of Toyota’s support and steal the other teams’ thunder. Anyone who doesn’t think that’s an issue hasn’t been around this sport long enough.”

Fantasy Stall
Looking at Checkers: He’s found success in the Nationwide Series on short tracks, which should transfer to Cup. There will be no Cup wins just yet, though.
Pretty Solid Pick: The 15th at Michigan was a nice surprise.
Good Sleeper Pick: The 17th-place lead-lap run at Martinsville was even better.
Runs on Seven Cylinders: Lots of places, most likely due to the equipment.
Insider Tip: Give this team another half-season. Reutimann will be good; give him time

For more in-depth driver news and hard-hitting features, order your 2008 Athlon Sports Racing Annual here.