David Stremme Prepares for Penske Debut

After a one-year hiatus from NASCAR’s top Series, David Stremme will return to the track in the No. 12 Penske Dodge at Daytona.

On Wednesday afternoon, Stremme participated in a teleconference with several reporters, including yours truly for Bleacher Report.

Reporters wasted no time asking Stremme about the transition to a new team and crew, as well as the difference with the ban on testing.

“I actually feel very good getting acclimated here. I was able to test through them all throughout the summer as a test driver while I was running the Nationwide Series for Rusty Wallace. We've been here getting fitted into cars. I got to do a tire test at Vegas. That went very well,” he told reporters Wednesday.

Stremme is excited about the upcoming season and is looking forward to running in the car that won the Daytona 500 last year, with Ryan Newman.

“I'm excited. I'm ready to get going. We've got a couple more weeks. I think it's right around 30 days before we get to run at Daytona for the 51st running of the Daytona 500.  I'm excited,” he said. 

Stremme continued, “We've got to get a few more cars built around here. But everybody around the shop is really amped up and ready to go. I just was in a meeting with my teammates today. I know we were talking about everything, what progress they've made here at Penske Racing. I'm excited. I feel that '09 is going to be a statement year for not only myself but for the whole organization.”

Stremme raced only once in 2008, finishing 28th at Talledega in April.

In 2006-07, Stremme (then with Ganassi Racing), managed only three top-10 finishes. He was fired from his ride following the 2007 season and forced to look elsewhere.

Stremme found a home in the Nationwide Series racing for Rusty Wallace Incorporated. He finished 11th in points, with 16 top-10 finishes and five top fives.

When asked if he was surprised to be back in the Cup Series so quickly, Stremme had a simple answer, no.

“I'm not surprised I'm back so quickly. It was more of me being patient than anything because I wanted to make sure I was in the right surroundings. And a place like Penske Racing has got great people around here that Roger has put in place. It was difficult at this time last year because I wasn't sure of how many Nationwide races I was running for Rusty,” Stremme told reporters.

“It worked out to where I run all but three of them. We had a very successful year there, where Rusty was able to build a second team. We had a lot of success. Right now with these times, everything going on, I'm happy to have a great sponsor like Alltel and be here with Roger and all his people at Penske Racing because I feel we're at a very strong state and moving forward into the 2009 season. Where we're at competitive-wise, I think we'll be right there with the best of them.”

When asked about his career of the past five seasons, Stremme had one word to describe it, “tough.”

“Well, it's been tough. Throughout, I would say before I even started running the Cup Series and Nationwide as Chip's first development driver, running for independent Nationwide teams that I would say were under-funded, then going into a Cup car that was going through a transition of a company of losing a driver and a lot of management and different things, it's been tough.”

Stremme continued to say that he felt that he really proved his driving ability last year in what he called an “independent Nationwide team.” He felt, while his team didn’t get a win, they came “very close” and hung in there against the Cup-affiliated teams.

“I think through all that I was able to showcase that last year of everything I've learned in the previous years. Then coming to a place like Penske Racing, I wouldn't say I'm able to relax more, but I'm just at ease of knowing the people that are around me are just as dedicated and ready to go out and win, especially the owner. He wants to win more than anybody. But I've got a lot to show I feel, and what a great place to be able to do it at is right here at Penske.”

Stremme also talked a little about what it felt like to drive the No. 12 car with all the history behind the number.

“Well, I mean, what's probably more interesting is that Ryan and I grew up in the same hometown, not too far apart from one another. The 12 has always been to me, I think of like Neil Bonnett, Bobby Allison and Ryan Newman. Ryan has had a lot of success here at Penske. He's the defending Daytona 500 winner, this team is.”

“It feels good going down there. I feel we have a lot to continue of the legacy of that car, not only that car but [also] Penske Racing as a whole. Roger has a lot of success in motorsports. To be able to put in my effort, to be able to participate and continue this legacy is really special to me.”

Stremme has had success at restrictor plate races and said he is looking forward to getting back on the track.

“Daytona is going to be good to hit the floor running and go out and run well. But that's not the only race here. We have 35 other races we're going to run, too.”

Stremme went on to say that he feels like 2009 is really going to be a “statement” year to showcase his ability.

“Well, I think a lot has to do with all the teams I was with before, it's not disrespecting any of them, were all in either I would consider B- or C- team environments. I'm at an A-team now, where I'm able to go out and I feel like I can win here at this organization.  They've put people around me to go win races, just be competitive each week. That's the main thing. Especially starting out at the beginning of the season, we haven't worked together, but, again, we have a little bit throughout the testing.”

When asked who has helped him with the transition to a Penske Dodge, Stremme gave all the credit to former Cup champion Wallace.

“It's definitely Rusty. Him and I, we were friends before. Steven and I have been really close friends, his son. But throughout the year, getting to drive for Rusty, learning from him, that guy has a wealth of knowledge. What better person? He's been I think 19 years here at Penske Racing, had a lot of success. Him and Roger still talk quite a bit. I feel he's played a big part in myself getting this ride and also helping me become a better person and run better.”

“We still talk. I have my own personal race shop that's right next to his Nationwide shop.  I go over there, even though I'm not driving for him this year. I still have interest in his company and in Steven and his-self. He's played a huge part in that.”

Stremme definitely has to prove himself in the upcoming year, the question will be whether he is in the equipment to do so.

Penske (and all Dodge teams for that matter) have really struggled recently and have clearly fallen behind Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford.

It should be interesting to see how Stremme performs in his return to the Cup level.

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This article also appears on my sports blog: Sports101