NASCAR got points swap wrong: Reutimann out on a limb

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

The sky is falling. NASCAR hates Toyota. Whatever you want to build into a conspiracy. I won’t, but feel free to have at it.

It’s now official, the bullshit flag now raised. The following decision by NASCAR stinks to high heaven.

NASCAR has denied the request of Michael Waltrip Racing to switch Owners Points from the #00 Dream Machine to the #44 UPS Toyota Camry.

Why would MWR want to do that anyway? If you don’t know by now, David Reutimann has taken over the wheel of the #44 effective at the conclusion of Bristol two weeks ago. He replaces Dale Jarrett, who now enters “retirement” and moves into the broadcast booth for ESPN. DJ will run the All-Star race in May as his final event.

This being the case, David Reutimann had earned a 27th spot thus far in the 2008 Owners Points, while Dale Jarrett was 34th. With rookie Michael McDowell taking over the #00, Michael Waltrip Racing wanted to allow David to keep what he had earned for Owners Points thus far this season, giving the rookie McDowell the left overs.

Honestly, that makes more sense then being handed points on a silver platter. I shall now cough while saying a name who has manipulated the Owners Points recently.

David Reutimann earned his points for the Owners Standings, and allowing him to keep them would be the right thing to do. However, NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Director, John Darby, says that, “point swaps typically are granted only when there is a change in a business function or when an owner is trying to reorganize during the offseason.”

Or if you want to manipulate the system to get a driver into the points to make a race, should be added to that statement.

So you can take points from your top car and give it to the new guy, but you can’t allow for a driver who earned his way to keep them when a number change is initiated within the organization.

The one time where a point swap within the same organization makes sense, and isn’t abusing the system, and NASCAR gets it wrong.

It wouldn’t matter who it is. Under these circumstances a points swap is not only logical, but honorable. However, it seems that honor isn’t something on NASCAR’s mind with this decision.

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Filed Under: David Reutimann, Drivers, Martinsville, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tracks

Tagged As: David Reutimann, Michael McDowell, Michael Waltrip Racing, MWR, Top-35, UPS



Trackback URL for: NASCAR got points swap wrong: Reutimann out on a limb

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday February 21, 2008
9:39pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Just when you thought things were looking up at Michael Waltrip Racing, one of the biggest blows to their fortune comes via a new regulations at UPS.

As you all are most certainly aware, the prices of fuel have increased dramatically. This trickles down to even the lowest cost denominator. Those tomatoes have to get to your local grocery somehow, right?

While less serious than a case of mesothelioma, or needing a DUI attorney, the car insurance quotes for the #44 UPS Toyota Camry just may be going up.

Think I’m losing it? Been hanging around Marc a bit much? Nope, not a tin foil hat in this post.
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Filed Under: Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Sprint Cup, Teams

Tagged As: Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann, No Left Turns, Toyota Camry, UPS



Trackback URL for: Jarrett and Reutimann in a tough bind over new UPS regulations

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday January 9, 2008
12:07pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

David Reutimann

• 2007 Stats

  • Organization: Michael Waltrip Racing
  • Car Number: 00
  • Crew Chief: Frank Kerr
  • Sponsor: Domino’s/Burger King
  • Points: 39th :: 1878 :: -4845
  • Starts: 26
  • Poles: 0
  • Wins: 0
  • Top 5′s: 0
  • Top 10′s: 0
  • Winnings: $2,376,250

• 2008 Preview

  • Organization: Michael Waltrip Racing
  • Car Number: 00/44
  • Crew Chief: Ryan Pemberton
  • Sponsor: Aaron’s/UPS
  • Note: Will take over the #44 at MWR after race 5.

Well, after one heck of a hard talking to with the fence at California, 2007 did begin to improve for David Reutimann. Although that improvement came slowly at first.

Beak made 26 of the 36 races on speed, and was the top performer at Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007. Initially his 2008 status was in limbo, with sponsorship being negotiated, until a moment of clarity arised and Michael Waltrip presented him with a new contract. What took place was Dale Jarrett stepping aside after race 5 this upcoming season, and UPS finding a new friend in David Reutimann.

It’s going to be a marketing winner as the brand builds, and you heard it here first. As a side note, David pitched back the intial contract from MWR as he was highly dedicated to again running the entire Busch Nationwide Series in 2008. Mikey made it happen, and Beak will be contending for the 2008 title on Saturday’s at a track near you.

Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.

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Filed Under: David Reutimann, Drivers, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams

Tagged As: David Reutimann, UPS



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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday March 28, 2007
2:07pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

There’s your match-up. Well, sort of. Anyone care to take a stab at why there have been “racing incidents” between the Roushketeers and folks in the Toyota camp? Not to mention the two Toy’s in question happen to be from Toyota’s “Flagship” team?

Reutimann played his off as a payback, DJ was just plain pissed off.

However, neither “incident” should have happened.

Here’s your conspiracy. It is a well know, and documented fact, that the ol’ Cat In The Hat despises Toyota’s presence in the Cup Series. Could it be a secret team order to cut Toyota’s absolutely no slack on the track, whatever the cost? Could it be a bump out as innocently as possible directive?

There you have it, for you conspiracy freaks out there. The Roushketeers on a mission to take out or hinder the Toyota’s. Biffle meet Reutimann, Kenseth meet Jarrett. Just in case you’ve missed your formal introductions. Oh yes, and here is our good friend Mr. Fence. Please ensure your Toyota has a pleasant conversation with him.

Of course, this is provided you believe there is this great big conspiracy factor in NASCAR.

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Filed Under: Bristol, Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #16, Roush Racing #17, Teams, Tracks





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday February 25, 2007
8:53am UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Is anyone surprised by this? Jeff Gordon being on top at California? You shouldn’t be surprised that he’ll pace the field to the green today, not being the only driver with multiple wins (3) at the track, and a record there that speaks for itself. Then again, overall, it’s tough to find a track where this guy hasn’t had success. What the team has to face now is that no California winner has ever come from the pole. If the Truck or Busch race are any indication, don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.

Mark Martin looked to have the truck race wrapped up Friday night, yet some “inconvenient” contact from Hornaday on the second to last restart put Mark through the grass and opened the door for Skinner to sneak into Victory Lane to give Toyota their second piece of hardware in a row.

Then we have Mr. Roboto here. Patience and keeping up with the track conditions made for yet another Kenseth Busch win. His 22nd win, in 200 starts, in the series came without too much fanfare. Jeff Burton had a pretty fast car, as did Kyle Bush as well. In the end though, clean air and good calls kept Matt in the hunt as he walked off with the win. The only challenge coming from Casey Mears, in the 24′s first appearance in Busch Series competition since 2002, and while Mears made the charge, he needed another 5 to 10 laps. But he was coming though, and it at least provided a little hope of a battle to the checkers. In the end though, Katie was sending text messages on her way to greet Matt in Victory Lane. The interesting battle was actually behind Kenseth as Burton, Edwards, Mears and Bush battled for the spots behind Kenseth. Allowing Kenseth to pull out to a little over 2 seconds, Mears finally broke through and cut Kenseth’s lead in about half in 10 laps. Give or take.

Then we have Mr. Waltrip waiting at the gate. With only one car left to qualify, he was sitting on the bubble Friday afternoon. The remaining car? David Reutimann in Michael’s own #00 entry. One has to wonder what the call is there. Team orders? Do your best and let the chips fall as they may? Both cars having to make it in on speed, one was going home. Reutimann put it in the show, sending his boss to the house for the first time this season and putting the team orders rumor to bed. Unless the team orders are to do your best and let the chips fall where they may.

Toyota again put half its cars in the show. Blaney was guaranteed with owners points from last season, Jarrett used his 2nd provisional, Brian Vickers put his Camry in 15th, and then Reutimann. Essentially the same lineup from Toyota as last week, just swap Waltrip for Vickers.

I don’t see Vickers missing too many shows this season. He’s always been rather good in qualifying, and was at Daytona as well. However, as we all know, Daytona 500 qualifying is its own beast.

So as we head into the afternoon, we’ll have some initial stories to follow. One that deserves mentioning is Roush. Watch that team, and the whole team. McMurray’s always been good here, as have the other Roushketeers. Biffle was taking everyone to school a year ago, until he blew a motor in the closing laps.

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Filed Under: Brian Vickers, Busch Series, California, Craftsman Truck Series, David Reutimann, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Hendrick Motorsports #24, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #16, Roush Racing #17, Roush Racing #26, Team RedBull #83, Teams, Tracks





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