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When Reutimann Slipped, Said Fell Out

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 15, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH - Boris Said watched part of Thursday's second 150-mile qualifying race from the top of David Reutimann's pit box - not because he's the newest employee of Michael Waltrip Racing, but rather because he was Reutimann's "new best friend."

Said needed Reutimann to take one of the two "transfer" spots in the race so he could grab the last spot that was available for Sunday's Daytona 500.

For a while, it looked like Reutimann would accomplish the task. But in the final turn on a green-white-checkered "overtime" finish, John Andretti shot past Reutimann to take the spot. Reutimann had to use his speed to get into the 500, leaving Said, who was next in line to get in on speed, outside the 500.

"I hate it for Boris," Reutimann said. "He got me in last year by taking a transfer spot, which enabled Reutimann to make the race on speed, so I definitely feel like I owed him one."

Said had his chance, and his No. 60 Ford looked capable. But he wound up 19th in the first qualifying race, sixth among the nine drivers who were racing for two spots.

"We should have been in the top two, but we had a tire go and we had to pit a little early," he said. "I just couldn't get anyone to help me. Carl Edwards was the only guy that ever helped me."

ENGINE TROUBLE: Jeff Andrews, head engine builder for Hendrick Motorsports, said his team has gotten a handle on the problem that necessitated engine changes in all four of the team's cars before Thursday's races.

"We were able to diagnose it as an issue between the camshaft and the lifter," he said. "Our folks are working hard, and we'll have the engines back today."

WATCHING AND LEARNING: A couple of local drivers who aren't racing during SpeedWeeks were on hand Thursday to soak up the atmosphere.

Tampa's Aric Almirola has been staying in the speedway infield in his motor coach and has been attending the Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 8 team's debriefings. Mark Martin is driving the No. 8 car.

Almirola is scheduled to make eight starts in the No. 8 car starting next month at Bristol, and he's hoping to get some races in the Nationwide and/or Craftsman Truck Series.

And Tampa's Michael Cherry, recently tabbed for NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, spent some time outside the track with friend Casey Ebsary, the Tampa attorney who helped put together his program application.

Cherry said he and longtime girlfriend Ashlee Killeen will move to Ashland, Va., next month to be near team owner Frank Deiny's shop. Cherry's racing season at Motor Mile Speedway near Radford, Va., doesn't start until April.

Jimmy Cherry, Michael's father and a longtime car owner at the area tracks, was hospitalized this week with high blood sugar but has been discharged.

'GOPHER CAM': For Sunday's telecast, Fox Sports has added four submerged cameras in the apex of each turn that network boss David Hill says provide "the most compelling shot I've ever seen in sports."

The Gopher Cam is a small, high-definition camera that's equipped with a high-quality condenser microphone. Together, they provide the sight and sound of the cars speeding by at 185 mph from, well, a gopher's perspective.

MORE TV FOR EVERNHAM: Ray Evernham, who has relinquished his role as the head of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, will take on extra work with ESPN this year.

The three-time champion crew chief for Jeff Gordon and founder of Evernham Motorsports, will appear on "NASCAR Now," "NASCAR Countdown" and work the booth for two Nationwide Series races.

Last year, he appeared on several Nationwide Series telecasts as a guest analyst on the pre-race program and was featured in "Race Wizard with Ray Evernham" on ESPN2.

STARS AND STRIPES: Grammy Award-winning country singer Trisha Yearwood will sing the national anthem before a Daytona 500 pre-race show that will include performances by Brooks and Dunn, Chubby Checker, Michael McDonald and Kool and the Gang.

Tony Fabrizio

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