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Reutimann Follows Busch Victory With Pole

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A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: November 3, 2007

FORT WORTH, Texas - Like a small dog locked onto a pants leg, Zephyrhills' David Reutimann is stubbornly refusing to give up the Busch Series championship to runaway points leader Carl Edwards.

One week after scoring his first career Busch Series victory at Memphis, Reutimann won his second career Busch pole, laying down a lap of 191.646 mph on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.

He finished just ahead of five big hitters - Tony Stewart, Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.

"We've been on the verge of doing some pretty good things all year, but we haven't been able to close the deal until last week," Reutimann said. "Crew chief Jerry Baxter and the guys have doing a lot of research and development and trying different things, changing the bodies around on the cars. We're not just going to the racetrack, we're going to try to win."

Edwards, who has a 531-point lead over Reutimann, could have clinched the championship last week. He'll try again in today's O'Reilly Challenge.

"As frustrating as Memphis was, I couldn't be happier to see David win a race," Edwards said. "He's an amazing guy who has worked really hard, so I'm excited for his success lately. He's making it hard. At the current rate, we won't clinch it for a while."
Tony Fabrizio
CRAFTSMAN TRUCK: Ted Musgrave broke a 66-race winless streak, taking the checkered flag under caution after the two trucks in front of him crashed going into the first turn of what was supposed to be a green-white finish Friday night at the Silverado 350K.

Chad McCumbee spun the tires on his Chevrolet on the final restart, and when he tried to keep Jack Sprague from passing him on the restart, the two made contact and slammed into the wall at Texas Motor Speedway.

McCumbee had taken the lead with an nifty three-wide pass to get by championship contenders Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner before they made contact and brought out a yellow flag that set up the final series of events.

NHRA: Top Fuel points leader "Hot Rod" Fuller failed to qualify in the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Pomona, Calif., leaving him in danger of losing the season title.

J.R. Todd stayed No. 1 in Top Fuel to join Jeff Arend (Funny Car), Richie Stevens (Pro Stock), and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle) as provisional qualifying leaders.

HOOTERS PRO CUP: The United Speed Alliance Hooters Pro Cup Series concludes the 2007 season tonight at the 3/4 -mile USA International Speedway near Lakeland with the running of the Robert H. Brooks Memorial Aaron's 250.

Qualifying begins at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the B.F. Goodrich Tires Pit Crew Challenge. An on-track driver autograph session is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. The Aaron's 250 will take the green flag at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information, call 1-800-984-7223.

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