MWR doesn't plan points swap when drivers shift

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Sunday, February 17, 2008

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – David Reutimann could be in a little bit of a predicament in the first five NASCAR Sprint Cup races of the season.

He obviously wants to finish as high as he can to earn the most points and money, but he also needs Dale Jarrett to do well.

Reutimann will replace his Michael Waltrip Racing teammate in the No. 44 car after the race at Martinsville Speedway and his crew chief go with him. Michael McDowell will take over driving the No. 00. As of right now, though, the plan is not to swap the team’s points.

If Reutimann’s team cracks the top 35 in owners points and the Jarrett team doesn’t, MWR could opt to swap the points to make sure that
Reutimann is locked into the field. Neither team finished in the top 35 last year and each must qualify on speed for the first five events this year.

“David’s earning points for Michael McDowell and Dale Jarrett is earning points for David Reutimann – that’s the way we’re approaching it,” said MWR general manager Ty Norris. “If one of them happens not to be in the top 35, obviously we’ll have to consider what’s going on then.”

Reutimann said the points situation won’t affect the way he races.

“It would be nice when that situation comes around to have everybody locked in,” Reutimann said. “We’ll see. We’ve got to try to make
that happen, make that deal work out. I’m trying to get in the top 35 for me.

“[McDowell] will do fine. He’ll be able to get those cars in [if needed]. He’s a good qualifier and a good driver.”