HAMPTON, GA (March 9, 2008) David Reutimann drove the No. 00 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s Dream Machine to a 20^th place finish in the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday.  Starting the 325-lap event 30^th, Reutimann struggled with the car through the turns early in the race, but picked up a few positions and moved into the 25 position on lap 48.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. led early and set a torrid pace around the 1.5-mile tri-oval speedway and put much of the field and the Dream Machine one-lap down in only 34 laps.  Never being in a position to receive the Aaron’s Lucky Dog free pass back on the lead lap, Crew Chief Ryan Pemberton ordered a variety of changes to the car over the first several pit stops, hoping to hit on the right combination and get the car turning better.

Midway through the race, the Dream Machine was running the best it had all day, but the damage had been done and Reutimann was mired back in the 23^rd position, two-laps down, and never in a position to make those laps back up.  During the closing laps of the race, the car was turning lap times that would have put Reutimann in the top-ten, and David passed as many cars as he could that would have made a difference in his position, but would have to settle for a 20^th-place finish.

The top-20 finish was good for his points position, as he moved from 31 to 27, putting the No. 00 solidly in the top-35 in owner points.  That is important because after next weeks race, those cars that are in the top-35 are guaranteed a starting spot in the following race.  MWR struggled with that rule last year and hopes to be in position to take advantage of the rule this year. 

The Aaron’s No. 00 Dream Machine will race again at the Bristol Motor Speedway next Sunday.  This is the last scheduled race for the Aaron’s No. 00 Dream Machine in the Cup Series because David Reutimann will then move to the No. 44 UPS Toyota following Bristol.  Aaron’s will concentrate on the NASCAR Nationwide Series with David and the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine for the remainder of the season.

Sunday, March 16^th, the Food City 500 will be live on FOX with coverage starting at 1:30 pm EST.