Sábado, 16 de Mayo de 2009
CHARLOTTE, NC (May 16, 2009) - In order to race in the Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, David Reutimann and his No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine would have to earn one of the two transfer positions in the Sprint Showdown. With qualifying canceled due to rain, Reutimann would start the Sprint Showdown in the 13th position. But the Aaron's Dream Machine would not stay there for long. Reutimann quickly worked his way up through the field to finish 4th, just short of the transfer positions. Reutimann would have to wait on the Fan Vote to determine his faith. This year's Sprint Showdown, a prelude to one of the biggest races of the season, featured 35 drivers racing for the top two positions to earn a spot in this year's 25th running of the Sprint All-Star Race. The 40-lap showdown did not disappoint. After starting 13th, Reutimann piloted the Aaron's Dream Machine to the 6th position by the end of the first 20 lap segment. Crew Chief Rodney Childers and the Aaron's Dream Team were prepared to make a two-tire stop with a track bar adjustment during the mandatory caution, but opted to stay out for track position. "The Aaron's Dream Machine was better than the cars in front, we just needed to get there," said Crew Chief Rodney Childers. Reutimann started the second and last segment of the Showdown in the 6th position. "I was so loose on the restarts, it was hard to hang on to it," said Reutimann. The Aaron's Dream Machine was strong, but with the Showdown being a unique race, with only 40 total laps, Reutimann would have to work with a car that was tight on the bottom, and not very good up top which was the preferred line for the leaders. Reutimann ended up with a 4th place finish behind Sam Hornish, Jamie McMurray and David Stremme. It would now be up to the fan vote to determine the last position for the All-Star race, but that went to the No. 20 team and driver Joey Logano. Reutimann and the Aaron's Dream Machine will hit Lowes Motor Speedway one more time for NASCAR's longest race of the year, the Coca-Cola 600, Sunday, May 24 at 5 p.m. on FOX.