Aaron’s Dream Machine Moves 20 Positions at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Homestead, FL (November 21, 2008) David Reutimann struggled with the handling of the No. 99 NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s Dream Machine this weekend at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, but advanced 20 positions to finish 13th in the season finale.  The solid finish secured Reutimann the seventh position in the 2008 series drivers points race and eighth in the owner points race.

Reutimann and the team worked hard during Fridays two practices trying to get the Dream Machine handling better through the turns at the 1.5 mile speedway, but never seemed to find the right combination.  As a result, Reutimann qualified 33rd for Saturdays Ford 300.

However, when the green flag dropped Saturday afternoon, Reutimann began marching through the field, breaking into the top-20 after only ten laps but could not advance past 15th for the first half of the 200-lap event.

Crew Chief Jerry Baxter made several major chassis adjustments during pit stops hoping to improve the handling through the turns, but the Dream Machine was on the edge of spinning out each lap and Reutimann battled hard to keep turning solid lap times and stay in the top-20.

In the closing laps, Reutimann endured and moved past several cars to take the checkered flag in the 13th spot.

“The guys worked hard trying to get the Dream Machine to turn, but we just didn’t have it today.” Reutimann said after the race.  “I want to thank Aaron’s and everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing for all of their support and hard work this year.  The season didn’t work out like we wanted but it was not because of a lack of effort.  I am proud of my guys.   They gave me fast cars every week, fast pit stops and smart calls all year, but we just didn’t have any luck.  I am looking forward to 2009 and helping this team take the owners championship.”

Aaron’s will again partner with Reutimann and Michael Waltrip Racing in 2009, signing on as the primary sponsor for 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and ten NASCAR Nationwide Series races.