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Rodney Childers named David Reutimann's crew chief for 2009
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Rodney Childers clearly remembers one of the first times he and David Reutimann crossed paths on the race track, years before they would be paired up as crew chief and driver for Michael Waltrip Racing.
Childers was still a driver then, and he and Reutimann were competing in a NASCAR All Pro Series race at Kingsport (Tenn.) Speedway.
"It was looking like David was going to win his first-ever NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series pole at Kingsport, Tenn., in 1999, but as fate would have it, I was the last one to qualify," Childers recalled. "David didn't win the pole that day, and he hasn't forgiven me since. He reminded me just the other day at breakfast. He's a good guy with a great sense of humor. and we have always got along. I think it will be a good fit."
Childers was officially announced Wednesday as Reutimann’s crew chief for 2009, taking over the job from Ryan Pemberton. Childers joins MWR from Gillett Evernham Motorsports, where he previously served as crew chief for Elliott Sadler.
"This is a great opportunity," said Childers, entering his fifth season as a crew chief on the Sprint Cup level. "When I heard the position was available, I looked into it because I really liked the idea of working with David. We have the same type of personality, and as I see the progress MWR has made, I see it as a place where I could have a long future. Their relationship with Toyota also attracted me because it is easy to see their commitment to NASCAR.
"David really burst onto the scene this past year and has proven that he can do this," Childers added. "He is comfortable and feels like he's as good as anyone on the track, and that's really important."
Reutimann is hopeful he and Childers can maintain the momentum the No. 00 Toyota team had at the end of the 2008 season.
"I am looking forward to picking up with Rodney where Ryan and I left off," Reutimann said. "The team built a lot of momentum during the latter part of the season. We've just got to build upon that. I feel like we have improved a great deal. If we can continue to position ourselves in the top-10, the top-fives will come and ultimately our first win."
Mentioned Drivers: David Reutimann
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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