Martin to MWR? Reutimann out

wolfcub

wolfcub

Team Owner
Joined
May 25, 2004
Messages
492
Points
338
The puzzle pieces for the 2012 season continue to fall into place with the latest speculation putting Mark Martin in the Michael Waltrip Racing stable for a partial schedule next year. #56-Martin Truex Jr. will return to drive MWR's NAPA Toyota with newcomer Clint Bowyer coming on board in a partner Toyota entry carrying 5-Hour Energy sponsorship for the bulk of the campaign. Sponsorship for the #00 entry driven by David Reutimann will not be in place for the entire 2012 schedule opening the door for Martin to take over and compete on a partial basis. Michael Waltrip Racing has an announcement planned Friday at Texas Motor Speedway where it is expected the team's firm 2012 plans will be unveiled.(CBS Sports)(11-1-2011)
Click to expand...

Now I did not see that one coming!!!
 
Reuti push too hard to become the official Aarons spokesman?
 
David Reutimann will have trouble finding a ride next year. Not much demand for a 40+ year old guy who hasn't accomplished much.
 
I don't think a lot of people saw that scenario coming. Wonder who'll drive the other SHR car when Danica isn't racing it?
 
WOW! That would suck for Ruti - even though as has been said, he has not had stellar results. Mark has driven Fords and Chevys, why not a Yota too?

What still seems to make the most sense is for him to partner up with SHR and Miss Thang. Especially since he already has a relationship with Go Daddy.

But we shall see...
 
I'm more surprised cause Waltrip seems to love him.

Taking a look at his stats though he has raced in 168 Cup races and only won 2 races. The first race he won he never even led a lap under green.
 
Stewart Fan said:
David Reutimann will have trouble finding a ride next year. Not much demand for a 40+ year old guy who hasn't accomplished much.
Click to expand...

Dave is by far their top driver, and that's saying something when you have a 2 time NW champ on the team. In his 69 races at MWR, Truex has 0 wins, 1 T5 and 7 T10's. Dave is 1, 6 and 9 in that same period.

Lets face it, MWR is still trying to be the best 3rd tier team in NASCAR, and they are almost there. I really believe that having Bowyer will help attract some of the behind the scenes talent MWR needs, but taking budget sponsors like 5 hour isn't going to pay the bill for what they need.
 
That would suck, Reutimann seems to have progressed a little every season, especially at the 1.5s, while Truex has stayed the same since before joining Waltrip. The wrong guy is getting the boot.
 
UPDATE: Mark Martin is expected to drive a part-time 2012 Sprint Cup schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing in the #00 Toyota currently driven by David Reutimann, multiple sources close to the situation confirmed Tuesday. Sources said team owner Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, likely will drive all or a portion of the four restrictor-plate races at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. MWR's lineup for 2012 will be Martin, recently signed Clint Bowyer from Richard Childress Racing, and Martin Truex Jr. Sources said an announcement could come Friday at Texas Motor Speedway, where MWR has a 10:30 a.m. local time news conference scheduled. MWR officials declined to comment. Reutimann, attending the SEMA Auto Show for Toyota, would neither confirm nor deny the information. "Talk to Michael," Reutimann told ESPN.com, referring to his owner.(ESPN)(11-1-2011)
Click to expand...

Sounds like he may be a bit bitter.
 
Reutimann, a two-time winner on the Cup level, is 28th in points heading into Sunday's race at Texas. Although he did not want to discuss the situation, he acknowledged he has a contract with MWR for 2012.
Click to expand...

Maybe a demotion to NW and MWR runs a NW car full-time??
 
Stewart Fan said:
David Reutimann will have trouble finding a ride next year. Not much demand for a 40+ year old guy who hasn't accomplished much.
Click to expand...

He sure hasn't has he:

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: 2 Wins; Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC (May 25, 2009); Lifelock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL (July 11, 2010)

3 Poles; Homestead (Nov. 16, 2008), Texas (April 5, 2009), Dover (May 31, 2009)

He's only been in Cup fulltime for 4 years Has anyone at MWR done better?

NASCAR Nationwide Series: 1 Win; Memphis (Oct. 27, 2007)
3 Poles; Memphis (October 18, 2003), Texas (Nov. 3, 2007), Chicago (July 11, 2008)
2nd in 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series Points and 7th in 2008

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: 1 Win; Nashville (Aug. 13, 2005)
6 Poles; Atlanta (March 13, 2004), Homestead (Nov. 19, 2004), Bristol (Aug. 24, 2005), Homestead (Nov. 19, 2005), California (Feb. 24, 2006), Dover (June 2, 2006)
2nd in 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series Points and 7th in 2008
2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Rookie of the Year

1997 NASCAR Southwest Series Rookie of the year.
7 Wins in the NASCAR Southwest series between 1997 and 2002.
2nd place in points 2002 NASCAR Southwest series

A very large number of Wins in Modifieds, Latemodels.
Florida Dirt Series Champion in 1995 and 1996
Pile of Wins at Ocala Speedway East Bay Speedway and Volusia County Speedway all in Florida
New Symrna Florida points Champion 2 years in a row, I forget which years but it was early 90's he was only 19 or 20 at the time

In my Honest Opinion David is one of the most Underated NASCAR Cup drivers there is. You put him in a Good car on a Good team and he'll show you something.
Super Nice guy too, he's 41 by the way.

His Dads a Trip too :D
 
Talent wise, I prefer Reutimann to Truax. Maybe Napa know how just prefers a driver that can do those ding bat commercial jingo's. I wouldn't rate Reutimann as being one of the better drivers, but within the MWR stable I would.


I have seen more offensive cases than this one, but obviously getting a seat and a steering wheel in Cup takes more than simply being the best driving talent.


That's the downside from the corporate help. The big dollars build the cars we love to watch, but they get to be the king makers. If I was dishing out the money, I would want to choose my drivers too.



But as a fan I want to see the best 43, they can be polished, or rude and crude, just as long as they can drive that thang right on Sunday.


Glad to see Martin having a deal. But oh God please, I hope he doesn't have to to do any MWRish commercial jingo's. I want Martin's legacy to be remembered as classy an old school.
 
I was thinking Mark Martin would be driving for Tony Stewart if he had a 3 car team. Maybe I read something wrong somewhere ... :p

I like David Reutimann, hope he finds somewhere to go.
 
Truex had a ton of chances to win races this year that he was either wrecked out of or his crew knocked him out of.

Reutimann's a good driver, but he's 40-something years old. He's a nice guy, but let's be honest about what sponsors want.

Mark Martin would be better running part time with Danica at SHR. Hell, he'd be better running Nationwide or Trucks. MWR isn't worth a **** and never will be.

My guess is Mark Martin's gonna race for Kyle Busch in Nationwide and Trucks part time and Toyota is behind putting Mark in the Sprint Cup MWR car.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Reutimann's a good driver, but he's 40-something years old.
Click to expand...

Geeez I'm callin my lawyer about an age discrimination lawsuit first thing in the morning!

Okay Ruettie is 41

Mark Martin 52
Mikey Waltrip 48
Bobby Labonte 47
Jeff Burton 44
Robby Gordon 44
Greg Biffle 41
Jeff Gordon 40
Tony Stewart 40
Matt Kenseth 39
Lil E --------37
Juan Montoya 36
Jimmie Johnson 36
Happy Harvick 35
Jamie Mac 35

I guess we need to write all these guys off???

Wait 6 of thems in the Chase!!!
 
FlFlash said:
Geeez I'm callin my lawyer about an age discrimination lawsuit first thing in the morning!

Okay Ruettie is 41

Mark Martin 52
Mikey Waltrip 48
Bobby Labonte 47
Jeff Burton 44
Robby Gordon 44
Greg Biffle 41
Jeff Gordon 40
Tony Stewart 40

I guess we need to write all these guys off???
Click to expand...

Compare what some of those guys have done with what David has done in his career by the age of 40. I have NO problem with David and think he's a good guy but....
 
Stewart Fan said:
Compare what some of those guys have done with what David has done in his career by the age of 40. I have NO problem with David and think he's a good guy but....
Click to expand...

Would'nt be fair everyone of those drivers have been in Cup for at least ten years....David's in his 4th season.
 
To be fair Reutimann also hasn't had the best equipment but has still manged to do pretty decent in it. He has two wins(i don't think anyone else has got a win for MWR for Cup have they) and 23 top tens which is good I think for what he has to work with. If he had that type of stats in a good ride I'd say something but it's MWR and they are not seen as a top team in any case
 
Endeavored

It ain't official till he's been future Endeavored .
 
I really like Mark Martin but running a partial schedule for MWR is like trading in your Corvette for a Kia. I think Mark should take a bow, thank all his fans, and retire. I know race car drivers want to race forever, and I understand that, but at some point you become an also-ran.
 
KingGlamis said:
I really like Mark Martin but running a partial schedule for MWR is like trading in your Corvette for a Kia. I think Mark should take a bow, thank all his fans, and retire. I know race car drivers want to race forever, and I understand that, but at some point you become an also-ran.
Click to expand...

I agree he should have left when he said he was 5 years ago. Also I'm finding it funny the people saying now one wants a driver in their 40's...he just got replaced by a guy in his 50s...
 
Saw this elsewhere.....

Biggest Mark-Martin-to-MWR issue: Keeping false teeth firmly in place during vigorous lip-syncing.
 
Something smells like shake and bake?

I say, This is all prep work for Pastrana to take the #00 in the next 3 years. :growl:
 
KingGlamis said:
I really like Mark Martin but running a partial schedule for MWR is like trading in your Corvette for a Kia. I think Mark should take a bow, thank all his fans, and retire. I know race car drivers want to race forever, and I understand that, but at some point you become an also-ran.
Click to expand...

There's been a few drivers that retired while they where still kickin ass and taking names Cale Yarbrough, Freddie Lorenzon.....I Hate see some of my favorite drivers ride around and struggle at the ends of their careers but I know it's hard to walk away.

Bobby, Mark it's time.
 
MOEJOE said:
I say, This is all prep work for Pastrana to take the #00 in the next 3 years.
Click to expand...


You are probably right. From a performance standpoint I believe it is a huge huge gamble, or a massive experiment.

Pastrana is also big money, but still a huge gamble. I shouldn't be surprised because having the money is the first prerequisite to getting a ride these days.


But now it is more flagrant than ever, it feels like the Indianapolis 500 crisis about 20 years ago. Like rather than learning a drivers name it would be better to know his all important numerical $$ value.
 
One thing is for sure, It's a di** move by Waltrip not telling David earlier so he could search for another ride.
 
KingGlamis said:
I think Mark should take a bow, thank all his fans, and retire.
Click to expand...

deja vu all over again

MOEJOE said:
I say, This is all prep work for Pastrana to take the #00 in the next 3 years. :growl:
Click to expand...

pastrana has add. he'll come to nationwide and maybe cup but he won't stay long.

Stewart Fan said:
One thing is for sure, It's a di** move by Waltrip not telling David earlier so he could search for another ride.
Click to expand...

yep, to tell the truth though it doesn't surprise me. one things for sure in this mess. david will never get his chance at being the official aaron's spokesman.
 
Stewart Fan said:
One thing is for sure, It's a di** move by Waltrip not telling David earlier so he could search for another ride.
Click to expand...

How do you know they haven't had that conversation last month or the month before?

Just because the news is coming out now doesn't mean that David has known about it for some time.
 
Guido said:
How do you know they haven't had that conversation last month or the month before?

Just because the news is coming out now doesn't mean that David has known about it for some time.
Click to expand...

I agree. After all, Mikey has been released enough times to know what is good timing to finding a ride for the next season. David probably has not found a ride yet........ and probably wont.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom