David Reutimann On a Chase Of His Own

Remember when everyone, including myself, counted Micheal Waltrip Racing out a few year's ago. Now look at them, so far the testing policy must have helped the Toyota team out.

MWR scaled back to a two car operation...sort-of. They still house the No. 47 Daughtrey Racing team also, but do not own it technically.

David Reutimann has showed promise ever since his first race driving for Joe Nemecheck's NEMCO Motorsports in the Nationwide Series at Richmond. He started 34th and finished 16th.

In his only ARCA Re/Max start back in 2003 driving for Larry McClure at Pocono, he started fourth and finished second, this would prove to be a great showing and Reutimann got signed with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports.

In his first Truck Series Race, he finished ninth and then in his second race he captured the pole at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Reutimann showed promise again in his first Cup race ever, starting 26th and finishing 22nd at Charlotte in 2005. Then came 2007, and Reutimann's first full season in the Sprint Cup Series. He struggled, not qualifying for 10 races, and finishing 39th in driver points.

In 2008, Reutimann qualified for every race, and won his first pole at Homestead the final race of the 2008 season.

When asked about his quick start to the 2009 season and first Sprint Cup top-five finish, Reutimann said, "I think when it comes right down to it, it's not any one thing that I can put my finger on that's made a difference. I think it's a bunch of different small things.

"Obviously, I think towards the end of the last year where we actually started to get a better handle on the newer versions of our cars. I think about the three-quarter mark people started seeing some results on the racetrack, at least we did. And it finished up the season with getting the pole at Homestead and carried a little bit of that momentum during the off season.

"We got a new crew chief with Rodney Childers. And my team engineer, he stayed on. So basically our same core group of people are there, just with a new crew chief.

"And really it's those things, everything's kind of jelled rather quickly. And I'll tell you the start of the season has been really good for us. Although, the keyword being it's the start of the season. We still have a lot more racing to go.

"All in all, I think with the progress that Total Racing Development has made, along with everybody at Michael Waltrip Racing, it's a combination of people working really hard and making good race cars right now and seeing the results on the racetrack."

Reutimann sits comfortably inside the top-12 in points, and was also asked how he felt about the points.

He stated, "Absolutely, a lot of racing left. But I've also seen my name listed on the outside of the top-35 before. And I like this a whole lot more.

"But it's still early, and there's still a lot of racing. And you can flip back and forth with the point deal until things get going pretty well. But I think it just shows how far the organization's come with being able to be in the position we are right now, even though it is early.

"Last year we weren't even remotely in the same section of the sheet. And so it's a big difference. And I like being on that side of the sheet a whole lot than being on the outside looking in, so to speak. We're making some good gains, and it's fun to drive the cars right now."

Reutimann sound's like he's more comfortable and more confident in his abilities, and should continue his up swing this season.

In the points, MWR is:

11.) David Reuitmann (-187).

21.) Michael Waltrip (-288).

24.) Marcos Ambrose (-299).