David Reutimann Wins the 2009 Coca-Cola 600
Posted by GEORGE May 26, 2009 2:14:57 PM
David Reutimann will be the first to tell you that rainy days and Mondays don't always let you down. Reutimann and his team decided to stay out during the last yellow, which was caused by the rain. It was a huge gamble that paid off for the first-time winner. After several attempts to dry the track, NASCAR called the race at 227 laps of 400 laps. Reutimann was declared the winner.
I'm already hearing jabs being taken at Reutimann about "stealing" the race, but that's just not true. Any of the drivers could have applied this same strategy, but instead they elected to pit and refuel in case the race started again. Reutimann's decision turned out to be a good one, but could have gone the other way if the rain would have stopped and the race would have continued.
This was also Michael Waltrip Racing's first win. It's been a tough couple of years for Waltrip, and his team needed the boost. Ruetimann and Waltrip have been showing improvement this year, and Waltrip says there's more to come.
One of David Reutimann's pit crew members has a new nickname, courtesy of Tony Stewart. During a rain delay, Stewart had some "advice" for Reutimann and the crew member stepped up to defend his driver. During an interview, Smoke called the crew member "Billy Bad Butt," much to the delight of Darrell Waltrip and other announcers calling the race. Like it or not, I'm guessing "Billy Bad Butt" will be the crew member's handle for at least the remainder of this season.
Carl Edwards seemed to come to life late in the race, and looked like a contender for the first time this season. If history repeats, Edwards will start winning soon. I think Edwards is a win away from busting loose, and putting together a season like he had last year.
Who are the ten best drivers in NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing, and how do they rank against each other? Check back with me on Thursday, and I'll give you the straight scoop, by George!
Tony Eury Jr is out as Dale Earnhardt Jr's crew chief, and as far as I'm concerned, "It's about time!" Blood may be thicker than water, but not in NASCAR racing. This isn't the end of Dale Jr's problems, but it's a darn good start!
Posted by: George | 28 May 2009 at 08:54 AM