NASCAR (LAS VEGAS, NV.) - Hectic Schedule: Double-Duty Not A Problem For Reutimann

David Reutimann (No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota) knows just how hectic a racing schedule can be while competing for two NASCAR championships. But that’s fine with him.

Reutimann is one of four drivers scheduled for full-time double duty in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008.

It marks the second straight year for the Zephyrhills, Fla., native to tackle both circuits – driving for Michael Waltrip Racing. Reutimann finished as the runner up in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship standings last year – with one win, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.

He was busy on Wednesday preparing for a run at this year’s NASCAR Nationwide Series title, participating in NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We did it last year,” Reutimann said of his double-duty effort. “When we were getting things worked out to do it this year, I let everybody at Michael Waltrip Racing know that I wanted to do it again. You don’t always have the opportunity to be with great race teams and have the opportunity to win championships, no matter what series you’re in. In the (NASCAR) Nationwide Series we have that caliber of team with Aaron’s, Michael Waltrip Racing and Jerry Baxter (crew chief). I was insistent on doing it again. It certainly wasn’t something I was forced into doing.”

Reutimann admits, however, that both schedules can become demanding. “It can get pretty hectic, but you kind of get use to it,” he said.

While 26 of the 35 NASCAR Nationwide Series events on the 2008 schedule are companion races with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the stand-alones can be even more demanding.

“With the races that are not in conjunction, where you have to get out of practice early with one car and jump on a plane and fly to another race track, it can get a little hectic,” Reutimann said. “I think the thing that is even more hectic sometimes is jumping out of a car and going from one side of the garage to the other. You’re just consistently running back and forth.”

Traveling from one track to another actually offers him a break, according to Reutimann. “I enjoy the travel part of it. It’s easy for me. The people that put it all together, it’s tough on them.”

Despite his busy schedule, Reutimann says it pales in comparison to the pace his father, Buzzie Reutimann, maintained at one point in his racing career. “He raced a lot. He would run four or five nights a week, tow his own race car and work on the car. He was a one-man show pretty much, just with a couple of volunteer guys. My schedule may seem a little hectic, but I don’t think my schedule would compare to it.”

Reutimann raced for Darrell Waltrip in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2004-06, finishing third in the standings his final year in that series. He was named to drive full-time for Michael Waltrip Racing in October 2006.

* Pit Stops ... David Reutimann turned in the fastest time during practice on Wednesday morning at 180.675 mph (29.888 seconds) … Thirty-three teams turned out for the first of two days of testing for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … West Coast natives from the NASCAR Camping World Series – Johnny Borneman (No. 83 Borneman Plastering Ford), a second-generation driver in the NASCAR Camping World Series, and Todd Souza (No. 13 Central Coast Manufacturing Chevrolet) – are participating in the test. Both California drivers plan to enter this year’s Sam’s Town 300 at LVMS … Mark Martin made his 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at the Las Vegas test. The series’ all-time leader in wins (47) and poles (30) was shaking down the No. 5 Delphi/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for the star-studded JR Motorsports organization. He was sixth-fastest in the first practice at 179.283 mph (30.120 seconds). Martin is a two-time winner at Las Vegas in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition.