One Year Later, No. 00 on Top in Texas

The old cliché 'what a difference a year makes' couldn't have rang more true for Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 00 Friday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway.

A year ago, that No. 00 driven by Michael McDowell suffered one of the single-most violent crashes in NASCAR history as it first slammed the turn one wall before rolling multiple times down the track in qualifying. McDowell, miracuously, was uninjured.

Friday, though, David Reutimann continued his hot start to the season in the No. 00 by taking the pole for Sunday's Samsung 500.

Reutimann's pole-winning lap topped current Sprint Cup series point leader Jeff Gordon in second while Roush Fenway Racing drivers Matt Kenseth and David Ragan showed a dramatic upswing from a nasty two-week run at Bristol and Martinsville by qualifying third and fourth. Yates Racing's Paul Menard will start fifth.

But for Reutimann and Michael Waltrip Racing, the difference a year makes in TMS qualifying was huge.

"I guess that just puts an exclamation mark on how things have changed," Reutimann said, after his lap of 190.517 mph. "Before, we were just trying to stay in the top 20 or get a top-20 finish or top-15. The reality is that at this time last year we weren't ready to run in the top 10."

In six races in 2009, Reutimann has taken the No. 00 team from a borderline Top-35 team to an impressive 11th in points with a worst finish of 32nd at Atlanta Motor Speedway and a best of 4th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano rounded out the Top-10. Five drivers failed to make Sunday's race, the most notable of which was Red Bull Racing's Scott Speed.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-03-2009 @ 9:18PM

mbsenlick said...

David Reutimann will not stay up front for too long. He never does. The guy that is starting 23rd (Mark Martin) will be up front before long. Just last week at Martinsville, where he started 31st and finished 7th.

4-04-2009 @ 9:37AM

Kim said...

I like David Reutimann! I am happy for him! I think he is a nice guy and there is definitely some talent there. The way this year is headed for him, I wouldn't be surprised if he throws a monkey wrench into the chase standings by being in the chase, probably tenth or eleventh. But what an approvement that would be from last season. I look for him to win a race this year.

As for David Ragan, like him as well and hope this good qualifying placement will help him run a good race with a good finish.

Kim

4-04-2009 @ 3:44PM

hafttwo said...

Reutimann is a good guy too bad hes in that jap crap

4-06-2009 @ 3:08PM

Greg said...

Haftwo,
You know it does get kind of old and it seems that your not very intelligence at all because you seem to say the same thing over and over. You are saying racist terms and to let you know that Ford cars are designed by the Japanese engineers from Mazda, Cheby is being built by the Chinese now (Cadillac) Just had a meeting that most of you people do not know yet and that was to have Toyota support both Chevy and Ford during thier hard times although Toyota is having a hard time as well. Kia is kicking everyone's butt now in selling. I just get tired of the SAME person trolling on here slamming MY COMPANY. Busch will win the title this year IMO.

4-06-2009 @ 6:15PM

Good for you, Greg! I am tired of halfwit and dope as well. I know it's best to just ignore them. But on another posting page, one of them just called me a "dipshit". I found that rather funny because it is clear I am much more intelligent than either one of those two are put together. I will be done with my Master's degree in a year and will move on to get my PHD after that. I wonder how much education Dope & Halfwit have? I can't imagine it goes any further than high school, if they even made it through those four years!

I personally LOVE my new KIA. I got a ton of car for a great price. I am having the time of my life breaking it in and my kids are so happy to finally have a mini-van that they have room to enjoy themselves in as well as haul around some friends from time to time now.

Most of us who are educated all know that American jobs, especially from companies like the Big 3 are headed over seas and that most of their car parts are coming from overseas. And most of us intelligent folks also know that thanks to Toyota, Honda, and soon Kia (who is building a new plant in Alabama) are making cars here and hiring Americans. Instead of being a racist pig, halfwit and dope should just say THANK YOU to Toyota, Kia & Honda. I personally know many folks here in OH that are employed by the Honda plant 15 miles from my home. They are paid an excellent wage for an honest days work and receive excellent benefits. There is a two year waiting list just to get hired on as a temp. for Honda here as they are such a great company to work for.

Racisim is ignorance, pure and simple. Intelligence equals education and knowledge, something Dope nor Halfwit possess. Don't let them get to you, Greg! Be proud of who are you are and of your job! I am!

Take care,

Kim