Early Contact Slows Reutimann in Michigan

David Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team finished in the 38th position on Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway.  After starting the race in the 25th position, Reutimann got loose on the seventh lap of the race and made contact with the outside retaining wall.  The team fought back from the damage to have Reutimann return to the track where he crossed the finish line in the 38th position. 

 

Sunday marked the Sprint Cup Series second trip this season to the two-mile Michigan International Speedway.  After racing at the track just nine weeks ago, competitors in the Sprint Cup Series had a good idea of what they would be up against during the Pure Michigan 400 weekend.  Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper team completed just over 50 laps during three available practice sessions, and picked up over two-tenths of a second to secure the 25th starting position for Sunday’s 200-lap race. 

 

Just seven laps in to the race, Reutimann was engaged in a heated side-by-side battle for position.  Running on the outside, Reutimann had the air taken off the side of his car, which sent him sliding across the track in turn two.  Unable to regain control of the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, Reutimann made contact with the outside retaining wall causing damage to the right side of his race car.  Reutimann visited pit road to allow his BK Racing team to assess the damage and begin making repairs.  With damage to both the body and suspension of his No. 83 Toyota Camry at a track that is very aero-dependent, Reutimann was forced behind the wall while his crew continued working on the damage.

 

With his car repaired as well as it could be, Reutimann returned to the track where he logged laps and slowly picked up positions.  At the conclusion of the Pure Michigan 400, Reutimann was scored in the 38th position. 

 

“Clearly I’m disappointed with our finish today,” commented Reutimann.  “I think our No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry was going to be a really strong race car.  We had a solid qualifying effort, and the car took off well at the start of the race.  When we were racing side-by-side the backend just got loose and turned the car around on me.  At that point, there was nothing I could do.  Aerodynamics are really important at Michigan International Speedway, and the accident did quite a bit of damage to both the aerodynamics of our car and the suspension.  My BK Racing team did a great job getting the car repaired and getting me back on track.  We were able to pick up a few positions as other drivers fell out of the race, but unfortunately we were just too far behind to make up much ground.  We’ll head to Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway next weekend, hopefully stay out of trouble all night and bring home a solid finish.”

 

BK Racing PR