David Reutimann, No. 44 UPS Toyota Camry
Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway
May 3, 2008
UPS Racing Team Notes of Interest
David Reutimann made his first NASCAR Series start at Richmond International Raceway in May, 2002 by driving the #87 entry in the Nationwide Series.
Richmond also marks the track where Reutimann has recorded his best career finish in the Sprint Cup Series, a 13th place effort in last season’s Fall race.
On Tuesday, UPS announced a sponsorship that will send the UPS colors off with jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard favorite Big Brown in the 2008 running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. David Reutimann ran the Kentucky Derby / UPS Toyota last weekend at Talladega as part of the “Off to the Races” Sweepstakes.
Reutimann Discusses Racing at Richmond International Raceway
Richmond is a very special track for you. Can you talk about your first run here?
“My first run there was a Nationwide Series race in 2002. We came in to Richmond with one car and one motor. I had never tested at this track and we came away with a 16th place finish. I remember coming in there scared to death. I was a local short track driver from Florida who had a one race opportunity in a car fielded by Joe Nemechek. I borrowed money to have an opportunity to drive the car and I knew that I didn’t have the money to pay it back if I wrecked, but I borrowed it anyway because I knew this was my opportunity to race. I told myself when I rolled into the gate at Richmond, ‘this is your only shot.’ That’s a lot of pressure for anyone. Richmond really gave me an opportunity to knock down a door and to have a chance to be where I am today.”
Is this one of your favorite tracks to race at as a driver?
“This is a race track that is tough. It’s a driver’s race track so from that aspect it’s a fun track to race at. The groove widens out and you can race all over the place here. It’s a track that is tough on a car, it’s rough on brakes and it’s rough on tempers. As a driver, especially starting out, it’s a track where you can learn a lot. I seem to have pretty good luck here and pretty good results so it’s a place I look forward to coming to each year.”
