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David Reutimann, Aaron's with Michael Waltrip Racing through 2012
Michael Waltrip Racing officials confirmed Friday that David Reutimann and sponsor Aaron's will remain with the team through the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, with an option for 2013.
Reutimann drives the organization’s No. 00 Toyota. He has two Cup wins to his credit, the only two wins the organization has earned in the series.
FOXSports.com's Lee Spencer reports that Crew chief Rodney Childers has also extended his contract with Michael Waltrip Racing to include two years with a one year option.
FOXSports.com first reported that a handshake deal was reached between Ruetimann and MWR on June 30.
“I’m glad both Michael Waltrip Racing and
Aaron’s want to keep me around,” Reutimann said.
“I’ve been asked about my contract for the last month
and we’ve had a handshake agreement, but now it’s done
and I’m glad I can finally talk about it. I’m thrilled.
This is where I want to be — at Michael Waltrip Racing
driving the No. 00 with Aaron’s on the hood. Aaron’s
has been a great partner and I consider myself a lucky dog every
time I get behind the wheel of the Aaron’s Dream Machine.
“(Team co-owner) Michael and (former Truck team owner)
Darrell Waltrip have given me just about every chance I have ever
had in NASCAR since 2004 and I don’t want to go anywhere
else. Good things are happening here and I plan to be a part of
it.”
Reutimann, 40, has won in all three of NASCAR’s
national touring series.
In a release, MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip said he always
wanted Reutimann to remain with the team.
“We never wavered on wanting to extend David and
neither did Aaron’s. David and Aaron’s are like family
to me. They’ve both been a large part of Michael Waltrip
Racing since the very beginning and have stuck with us through
thick and thin,” Waltrip said. “In the beginning we all
took a chance on each other. You might say it was a high-risk,
high-reward proposition for everyone involved, but we all believed
in each other and we are now starting to see those rewards a little
more each day.
“Aaron’s, along with NAPA Auto Parts and Toyota,
are three of the cornerstones MWR built upon over the years. Their
loyalty to us has been as important as any ingredient in our
success of late. I’m very proud that these companies have
stayed with us as long as they have. We have a very bright future
and plan to reward their loyalty in the coming years as we grow and
continue to visit Victory Lane.”
Aaron’s presence with the organization will actually
increase as it moves from sponsoring 24 to 30 Cup races in both
2011 and 2012. TUMS and Best Western will complete the sponsor
schedule on the car.
Aaron’s relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing began
in 2000 when the Atlanta-based company sponsored six races for
Waltrip’s Nationwide team.
