David Reutimann Quotes - Kansas Preview

With so much of the hype and headlines going to the Chase racers, does it feel like everyone forgets about the guys 13th and back? "That's where the focus is right now because the Chase just started. It's all new but once the top-12 spread out a bit then the focus will shift to the real contenders for the championship and the all the changes heading into 2010. I think you can make your own headlines if you finish the season strong."

What do you like or dislike about racing at Kansas? "Not sure I dislike anything about Kansas, besides the fact that we haven't had the finishes that we'd prefer. The track is a mile and half tri-oval that's fast and can produce exciting side-by-side racing."

With the testing ban how do you prepare for a track like Kansas where there's few COT notes? Can you use notes from other tracks? "Yes, there are similar tracks that you can compare notes on setups - like other mile and half tracks. It's also important to communicate well with your team on the changes that are needed during the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday leading up to the race."

What's unique or challenging about racing at Kansas? "Like most mile and half tracks it's key to get your car handling in the corners, so you can power off coming out of the corners and pass other cars. Also, we have to stay on top of the changes in the track and make the right adjustments throughout the race."

Goals for this weekend at Dover: "We have to finish the 2009 season strong and collect as many top-five or top-ten finishes as possible. Building momentum going in 2010 is huge for making another strong run at the 2010 Chase."

2009 NSCS Points Standings: Reutimann is currently in 16th, 149 points behind Matt Kenseth in 13th place – the highest non-Chase driver.

Chassis Information: The No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine for Kansas is chassis No. 647, a brand new Aaron's Dream Machine.

Race Information: Watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in action at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 4. Race coverage for the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods begins at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

EARLY ERROR IN PITS LEADS TO 21ST-PLACE FINISH FOR REUTIMANN

DOVER, Del. (September 27, 2009) – The good news for David Reutimann is the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine came into Dover running well and performing pretty good for most of the race. The bad news: a miscommunication on pit road would put him behind two laps early in the race and he was never able to recover. Reutimann would have to settle for a 21st-place finish in Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway.

David Reutimann had a great qualifying run on Friday to earn the fifth starting spot and had hopes of improving on his performance in the spring race where he led the first 25 laps. Though he slipped back to seventh at the start of the race, Reutimann quietly maintained his place throughout the first 20 laps. Finally, at lap 23 he would report in his first feedback on the car, “really tight on the throttle.”

Just two laps later, NASCAR waved the yellow flag signaling the mandated competition caution at lap 25. This was supposed to be the chance for all teams to put fuel into their cars for the first time. However, there was some confusion over this rule and the No. 00 crew failed to add any fuel to the Aaron’s Dream Machine. This would come back to bite the team later.

On lap 41, Joey Logano and several others were involved in a large accident that forced NASCAR to throw the red flag, stopping the action for more than 20 minutes while they cleaned up the track.

Shortly after the restart the Aaron’s Dream Machine would fall back to eleventh, but Reutimann kept plugging and was able to stay around the top ten until lap 78 when he would radio in, “something is wrong in the front. Lost grip for some reason.” A few laps later a more concerned Reutimann followed up, “I think we might have a front tire going down.”

With a tire potentially going flat, Childers decided to bring Reutimann in on lap 81 and at the same time add the fuel that was missed on the previous stop.

Unfortunately, just as Reutimann was entering pit road another caution came out. Already past the commitment cone, the team brought the Aaron’s Dream Machine down pit road for a quick fuel-only stop. Then Reutimann would come back to his team for tires under the caution. This sequence of events would put the team back to 32nd place, two-laps down.

That small miscue would ultimately cost Reutimann and the Aaron’s Dream Machine any chance to get back into the top ten. A long green-flag run would immediately follow, allowing the race leaders to begin lapping the back of the pack. At times the No. 00 ran as fast as the leaders, but Reutimann was never able to recover. Though he would valiantly fight his way up to the high twenties, as quickly as he would pass competitors the race leader would lap traffic thereby taking away Reutimann’s ability to pick up the Aaron’s Lucky Dog for being the first car a lap behind.

Eventually Reutimann would finish a disappointing 21st.

“This was a pretty frustrating day,” said Reutimann. “It was tight at times, but the Aaron’s Dream Machine was better than we finished. We should’ve been able to get a top-ten, at least. One little mistake in the pits cost us. But my guys work hard and we live and die as a team. I have confidence that we’ll learn from this and move on.”

Jimmie Johnson reminded everyone why he’s the three-time series champion with his dominating win. Mark Martin finished second to maintain his spot at the top of the standings. Matt Kenseth, Juan Montoya and Kurt Busch completed the top five.

Next week the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to Kansas Speedway for the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods on Sunday, October 4, 2009. ABC will provide the television coverage, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

David Reutimann New Hampshire Preview

Twitter question of the week: @redman0673 asks, 'Now that the Chase has begun do you begin to prepare for next year by testing different things, or do you go all out for 13th place?'
"Nothing really changes, besides we don't have the stress of making the Chase. Our goals haven't shifted too much - trying to run as well as possible in these last few races, but now we must work towards 2010 by making our Aarons Dream Machine run as well as possible each weekend. We definitely would like to finish in 13th but winning a race or two before the season is over would be even better."

Is it a relief now that the pressure to make the Chase is over?

"We're disappointed in not making the Chase, especially when we consider that one race had the biggest impact on that outcome. The pressure is immense when trying to fight your way into the Chase, so you do feel relief once it's over. Now that it's over we have no pressure on our back - we can go out and focus on one thing and that's winning the races."

Your last race at Loudon, you had a great car and ran in the top 10 for most of the day. Is there anything you can take from that run to help you this weekend?

"(Smiling) Yeah, I know who to watch out for on the track and stay away from. Honestly, we did run very well there in the fall and we would have finished top-10 either way, however Rodney made an excellent call that moved the Aaron's Dream Machine up a few spots for a top-five."

Your past finishes in the Sprint Cup at Loudon are 38, 26, 19, 15, and 4. Since you seem to be getting better each trip can we just mark you down for a win this weekend?
"I'm hoping that's the case. The Aaron's Dream Machine did look good in victory circle. I feel like that's a common situation for me at most tracks - the more your race on them, the better you get and the finishes should reflect that."

Goals for this weekend at Loudon?
"I guess to improve on 4th. Seriously, we're working on our momentum and to end the season as strong as possible."

2009 NSCS Points Standings:
Reutimann is currently in 16th, 147 points behind Kyle Busch in 13th place - the highest non-Chase driver.

Chassis Information:
The No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine for Loudon is chassis No. 628 - this Aaron's Dream Machine has seen plenty of action this year and has run well everywhere it's been raced, including Martinsville, Phoenix, Richmond, Pocono (twice) and the last race at Loudon. In those races, it's collected two top-fives and three top-tens.

Race Information:
Watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 20. Race coverage for the Sylvania 300begins at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

David Reutimann Richmond Preview

Twitter question of the week: @silverdsl asks, "Will you race any differently at Richmond because of its importance in determining the Chase field?"
"At this point we can't worry about the Chase. We have to run our own race and go for the win. We'd have to win, lead the most laps and have some other teams have the worst luck possible - those chances are slim.
However, we can go out and continue to finish strong, like we have all year."

Does the great run at Atlanta give you any kind of momentum heading into the next race?
"Sure, it gives us momentum. Any time you have as good run it gives everyone on the Aaron's team a positive feeling for the rest of the week leading up to the next race, especially from a track that has not been kind to us in the past like Atlanta."

If you don't make the Chase do you consider this a disappointing season or do you look back and be proud of all that you did accomplish this season?
"Every team's goal is to make the Chase and have a chance to win the Sprint Cup, so not making the Chase for me is disappointing because of how close we've been this year. With that being said, I'm very proud of my team, the entire organization of MWR and my awesome sponsor Aaron's for what has been accomplished in 2009 (so far). Each year our team has progressed in the right direction and others can see the positives in our organization. I feel like in 2010 we'll once again be a major factor in making the Chase and contending for the championship."

Feelings on racing at Richmond:
"Richmond's a good track for me. It fits the short track style that I grew up competing at when I was younger. It's where I got my first start for Joe (Nemecheck) in 2002. I've just always run well there - led some laps but I've also had some rotten luck while running at the front there, including in the May race. Still, I'm confident we can finish very well this weekend in the Aaron's Dream Machine at Richmond."

What are your expectations and goals for this weekend at Richmond?
"What other choice do we have - to make the Chase we have to lead as many laps as possible and win. If we can't do that, then going out and playing spoiler by still winning the race would be fine with me."

2009 NSCS Points Standings: With the fantastic finish at Atlanta Reutimann moved up one spot to 15th, 132 points behind 12th place.

Chassis Information: The No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine for Atlanta is chassis No. 644 - a brand new Aaron's Dream Machine.

Race Information: Watch the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in action at
Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, Sept. 12. Race coveragefor the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 begins at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.