Reutimann Out at MWR!

MWR is expected to announce at Texas that David Reutiman will NOT return to the #00 in 2012, instead the #00 will run a partial schedule with driver Mark Martin. Aaron's is expected to also fill the space of Clint Bowyer's schedule.

From CBS Sports:
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.

From Jim Utter Twitter Account
Hearing David Reutimann will NOT return to Michael Waltrip Racing next season and the No. 00 may run a partial schedule

One more thing...Mark Martin may have a deal done for a partial schedule in 2012.

IMO- This had more to do with upgrading their driver lineup. Getting Clint Bowyer and full funded equipment along with Mark Martin to add veteran experience.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave-O on November 2, 2011 at 9:42am

I think Jamie Mac bought himself a few years with his 2010 season (3 wins, including Daytona 500 & Indy) - assuming McDonalds and bass pro shops stick around.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Gruber on November 2, 2011 at 3:44pm

Jamie Mac is a sponsor's dream. He's not going anywhere anytime soon. Sadly, that's the biggest thing Reutimann has going against him; he looks like one of the guys from Dumb & Dumber. Can't the at least get him a decent haircut?

I am sure that the 5 has been an afterthought at HMS this season, but it isn't like Martin set the world on fire. With the exception of this year's Daytona 500, these part-time programs rarely produce anything. Martin is just going to ride around in the 00, and I have no idea how they talked Aaron's into spending that kind of money in this economy for the little result they are going to get.

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Permalink Reply by David Z on November 2, 2011 at 10:51am

Here is another possible factor, Earnhardt Nation (or what ever they call themselves) has a soft spot for Truex since Truex drove for him in the past. Maybe Mikey is trying to ride those coattails.

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Permalink Reply by Ernie Stratton on November 2, 2011 at 12:32am

Feel bad for Reutty,but really feel for Mark.MWR is where old nascar drivers go to fade into the sunset.

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Permalink Reply by RG7FAN on November 2, 2011 at 11:09am

I have to admit both Waltrips are a marketing machine, just wait until they are both in the booth calling the races for Fox...Ugh

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on November 3, 2011 at 3:14pm

It's Official!!

CORNELIUS, N.C. – Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that driver David Reutimann will not return to the team for the 2012 season.

Team officials notified Reutimann this week.

“David has been a significant part of Michael Waltrip Racing since the very beginning and will forever be a part of our heritage,” said Co-Owner Michael Waltrip. “We want to thank David for his contribution to our growth and success over the past five years and wish him well in the future.”

Reutimann will remain with the team for the final three races of the 2011 season.

In 168 Sprint Cup Series starts, all for Michael Waltrip Racing, Reutimann recorded two wins, 12 top-five, 25 top-10 finishes and won four pole awards.

http://www.michaelwaltripracing.com/news/press-releases/814/mwr-reu...

So basically David has been a "Significant part of Michael Waltrip Racing" "Will always be apart of the teams heritage." And has recorded the only two wins MWR has had. Yet he was kicked to the curb with one year left on his contract? Does not sound like David Reutimann was that meaningful or important to MWR if you ask me?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on November 3, 2011 at 5:02pm

what's interesting to me is that Ruddy is getting kick'd to the curb with a pay check for 2012. Why not just run him part time instead of hiring a new driver for the part time gig? Only thing that keeps coming to mind is that Ruddy isn't sellable.

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Permalink Reply by vak7 on November 3, 2011 at 6:10pm

And after his daughter had visions of being the next Aaron's spokesperson. Fact is that Bowyer is far more personable and portrays well on camera. Another win for the marketing gods. I just pray he doesn't do any of those stupid NAPA commercials where Mikey wiggles his backside. Gosh, it's great to fast forward through it before I get sick.

I'm thinking more that there was some kind of falling out with the new driver lineup. Otherwise they would have parted ways before the Bowyer announcement. It happened too sudden. Something had to spark the separation.

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on November 3, 2011 at 6:30pm

Who knows what is in his contract. I have been told NASCAR drivers contracts are typically filled with loop holes, so much so that many of the contracts are a joke if you look at them as job security. My first thought was David's contract goes threw 2012 and they will have to pay or buy him out. But I'm sure there is a sponsorship clause, maybe for the contract to stay valid the team has to stay within the top 20 in points ect.. Who knows? Either way David brought Aaron's two wins and that is two more then anyone else at MW has, and I highly doubt Clint or Mark will be able to do that next year.

Right now MWR's equipment sits 24th Truex, 28th Reutimann, 29th Labonte and 31st Mears in points. I'm thinking the #00 poor performance is more equipment and internal operations then driver.

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Permalink Reply by Jimmy Wright on November 3, 2011 at 6:58pm

Could this be why the 47 team is aligning with a different team next year?

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on November 3, 2011 at 7:24pm

From what I have read and heard JTG is moving out of MWR shop and back to there own. When JTG moved into MWR they kept there own building and have continued to pay the mortgage on the property and they kept all their previous equipment that they had. Yes JTG was looking at a possible manufacture change, but they have chosen to stay with Toyota. JTG has hired Todd Barrier from RCR, and one of the main guys from TRD will move over JTG and over see their engineering dept. JTG will continue to get engine's and tech support from Toyota and I heard they will still get their chassis & body's from MWR and still be part of the weekly team and engineering meetings. But when you are not 100% in house it will be interesting to see how much MWR will actually share with JTG and how long being part of the "Team" will really last. Most satellite team never work out as well as they intend too.

Germain's #13 Cup deal with Gieco and Mears are expanding in 2012 and part of that deal was to get TRD engines next year. Germain gets chassis from MWR. But when MWR announced that they were starting a 3rd team and with Gibbs going to TRD power, TRD was not sure if they could supply engines to Germain. This left Germain not sure if they would stay with Toyota or move to a new manufacture. If they leave Toyota then they will also leave MWR for chassis. So there is a possibility that MWR could be losing them as a customer.

Now with all that said and with the announcement of the #00 being part time and MWR really being only a 2 1/2 car team next year, their could be a chance that Germain can get TRD power and stay with Toyota. It will be interesting!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on November 3, 2011 at 9:22pm

Not being in MWR shops might just be a cost saving move just in penalty money. on pg1 I hit on the TRD engine 'shortage'. Speaking about the limited TRD engine supply, there's a Truck team that thinks they're getting TRD engines.? Winfield Motorsport (currently using Dodge's in the Truck series)somehow thinks there getting TRD's (can I please bet on this one)