Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann to run 36 races despite partial funding

By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann will run the entire 2009 Sprint Cup schedule, despite not having full sponsorship.

Jason Smith
Getty Images for NASCAR

Michael Waltrip Racing owner Michael Waltrip says the No. 00 Toyota team for driver David Reutimann will run the full Sprint Cup season this year despite not having full sponsorship.
 
Waltrip said on a national conference call with reporters on Wednesday that Reutimann will be sponsored by Aaron’s for “half a season” as the company steps up to the Cup series for the first time after many years as a Waltrip sponsor in what is now known as the Nationwide Series.
 
Waltrip said the first race Reutimann would be without sponsorship would be the Feb. 22 event at Auto Club Speedway in California.
 
“We will definitely run the full season with David driving the 00 car,” Waltrip said. “ We’ll just look at it as part of the investment in the future of our team. David is obviously a fast race car driver that can win races at the Cup level. We believe that. We think that the investment in the future we cannot afford to not run that car, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
 
The search for sponsorship for Reutimann continues, Waltrip said, and a potential backer would be getting a bargain.
 
“We understand that at this late date it’s really tough to pull together sponsorship because of the timing, but we certainly want people to know we’re open and available for partners that might want to run not only a race or two at a specific track, but also a program for the whole season,” Waltrip said. “We’re very cognizant of it being a late date, and the price of the sponsorship would reflect that.”
 
Waltrip’s car, the No. 55, will again be sponsored by NAPA. MWR is also in an alliance with JTG Daugherty Racing to field the No. 47 Toyota for Marcos Ambrose that is fully sponsored.
 
MWR will field one full-time car in the Nationwide Series, with Waltrip and Red Bull Racing’s Scott Speed splitting most of the driving duties. Waltrip will have sponsorship from Aaron’s and Best Western, while Red Bull will back Speed. A driver and sponsor for some remaining Nationwide races will be determined.

Comments

11 responses to "Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann to run 36 races despite partial funding". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    Cathy Rooks said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    I swear Michael Waltrip must have tons of money! Wish he would throw some my way!

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  2. 2
    Mike Butler said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 3:07 PM

    I think this is the right idea. I'm glad someone is saying they are going to run unsponsored if they have to for the greater good.. Come on Mikey - this is twice in a week I like you.. For all you out there that think I hate Mikey, its not really true. He sometimes just says things better left unsaid on the programs he is on. He would be a great choice to take over for Tony's Sirius show, he is a perfect talk show host that loves stirring the pot. - Hey, maybe we could put $5 in the hat and put Scene Daily Commenters on the car..

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  3. 3
    Pat Draper said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    Mikie is a great guy and anyone thats says different sure doesn't know what they are talking about. It's great that Mikie thinks so much of David to conduct business this way. I hope someone will come along and step in to fill the rest of the races. David is a good driver and capable of winning races. I hope this year will be the best for him and all of MWR.

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  4. 4
    Dominic Marocco said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    Mikey has a ride because he's a very good spokesperson for NAPA and he owns his own team. I don't dislike the guy, but his best days are clearly behind him.

    Ambrose is a road-course specialist, and although he's had a short time on ovals, he definitely hasn't come close to impressing me on one.

    Reutimann deserves a full-time sponsor. Mikey is making a smart decision keeping Reutimann out there for the full season despite sponsor issues. Last year Reut clearly showed that he is the best MWR has. Especially towards the end of the season. Go Reut!

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  5. 5
    Lula Hock said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    Well said Pat, almost exactly what I would have said. Mikey is my favorite and keeping David in the car for all 36 races is a good move because David is a great driver and will win races. I wish both of them all the best this coming season and look forward to MWR having great success this year. Go Mikey and David!!

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  6. 6
    Janice Marler said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    Let Mikey Do It! Yes, Mikey can do it and is doing it! It'll come together for him a piece at the time. Go Mikey! Go David! David's another good guy who is being given a chance and taking advantage of it.

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  7. 7
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    Good grief, couldn't Mikey put another driver, other than himself, in the Nationwide car?

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  8. 8
    Eric Ward said:
    Jan 15, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    Ditch the Busch team and focus on your Cup team. Put all the sponsorships from your Busch team and put 'em on the Cup cars.

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  9. 9
    Race Fan said:
    Jan 16, 2009 at 12:43 AM

    So this is why he's not in the Nationwide car.

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  10. 10
    ernie lucas said:
    Jan 16, 2009 at 12:32 PM

    micheal waltrip is gonna make history everyone is gonna be shocked this year and years to come

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  11. 11
    Penny Weaver said:
    Jan 16, 2009 at 9:52 PM

    I hope someone steps up to sponsor David's car for the rest of 2009. He is a good driver and good person. He will drive his heart out for the sponsor. Michael and David from Michael Waltrip Racing are going to do very well this season. Hopefully, by winning some races. GO MIKEY AND DAVID!!!!

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