Representing the third generation of “racing Reutimanns”, David Reutimann is the son of DIRT Motorsports Hall of Famer (and still active participant in racing) Emil “Buzzy” Reutimann. The two still often race together at the “Clay by the Bay”, as Florida’s East Bay Raceway Park is known to racing enthusiasts.
David started out in dirt-track and moved up the Slim Jim All Pro Series in 1997 where he was named Rookie of the Year. He later would become NASCAR’s 2004 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year. While his NASCAR record doesn’t reflect many wins, he has numerous top ten finishes under his belt.
Reutimann won Nashville’s Toyota Tundra 200 in 2005, followed by his first Busch Series car win in 2007’s Sam’s Town 250 in Memphis. In 2007, he ran the whole Busch Series and came in second overall.
Since joining the NASCAR Southeast Series in 1997, Reutimann has been the winner of several awards. He spent a long time preparing on Florida’s many short tracks, where he was an avid modified racer.
Reutimann has been racing for Michael Waltrip Racing for the last several years, competing in both the Sprint Cup Series as well as the Nationwide Series. While he is not yet a household name, he is moving up through the ranks, being known as a solid racer with many top finishes under his belt.
In 2009, there have been some changes in the Michael Waltrip team. The newest addition is Rodney Childers, an old acquaintance of Reutimann’s from the racing circuit. Childers jumped at the chance to be Reutimann’s crew chief on the Number 00 Toyota, saying that he finds Reutimann easy to work with and has a great sense of humor.
Reutimann has been on the scene for some time, but in the last year has really started to come into his own. He and his team are hoping to build on his momentum and score some top 10’s, top 5’s and even some wins this year.
Childers new role as Reutimann’s crew chief may prove to be the winning edge the racer needs. He has four years of experience in Sprint Cup level crew chiefing and Michael Waltrip Racing has established a solid relationship with Toyota, having the necessary commitment to really make waves in NASCAR.
While they may not be the most famous NASCAR names, they are making a run at becoming top in the upcoming year with Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann sharing the wheel of No. 00, Aarons Dream Machine, sponsored by Aaron Rents. This will be Aaron’s tenth year with Michael Waltrip Racing and getting Michael back behind the wheel is something fans have been asking for.
With top 10 finishes in the Nationwide Series and ever better performance in the Sprint Cup, Waltrip racing is excited about David Reutimann’s prospects in the upcoming season.