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Reutimann Grabs First Busch Win

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. David Reutimann failed to qualify for today's Nextel Cup event at Atlanta, so he soothed his feelings with his first Busch Series win.

The Zephyrhills resident avoided trouble to capture the caution-filled Sam's Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park on Saturday. The 37-year-old Toyota driver endured a green-white-checker finish for his first Busch Series victory in 63 starts. It also was owner Michael Waltrip's first victory for the manufacturer.

"I was mad in general that I missed the [Atlanta] race," Reutimann said. "It feels good to win here. The only thing that could make it better is to get on the plane and go back and run the Cup race. That's not going to happen."

With the victory, outdistancing second-place finisher Mike Bliss, and some misfortune for points leader Carl Edwards, Reutimann kept his slim championship hopes alive. Edwards needed at least an eighth-place finish to claim the title. He was 25th.

Edwards still leads Reutimann by 531 points with three Busch stops left.

The race had a season-high 25 cautions, which also broke the record of 16 for the Memphis race.

"It was incredible," Bliss said. "I couldn't believe it. We'd get going and here would be a yellow. We'd get going, and there'd be another yellow. I don't know why.

"It was frustrating. You want to go racing."

The event was the first Busch Series race for reigning Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti. The 38-year-old IndyCar Series champ, who will run a full NASCAR season next year, started third after morning qualifying. He finished in 32nd place.

NASCAR TRUCKS: Kyle Busch made the most out of a lucky break, pulling away from Ron Hornaday Jr. to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Busch was rolling along in third place with 26 laps to go in the 130-lap race when he was black-flagged by NASCAR for having the driver-side window net unhooked. Seconds before he would have had to pit, a crash brought out the caution flag and allowed the Nextel Cup star to make his stop under yellow and remain in contention.

NHRA: Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle) held on to their No..1 qualifying positions at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, each earning eight vital points in their bids for world titles. Dave Connolly was the leader in the Pro Stock division.

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