Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR
Many thought prior to the start of the 2011 Sprint Cup season that David Reutimann would be a strong contender for wins and a potential spot in NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup. Reutimann had notched a win in the prior two seasons and scored a combined 14 top 5 and 19 top 10 finishes. Unfortunately, 2011 proved to be a disaster for Reutimann and his Michael Waltrip Racing team as Reutimann only scored one top five finish mid season in the inaugural race at Kentucky Speedway while garnering only two more top 10 finishes. To top it all off, Reutimann found himself without a ride for 2012.
The season opening Daytona 500 proved as a sign of things to come as Reutimann was forced to use a backup car for the Great American Race, putting him at the tail end of the start of the event. Reutimann did not score a top 10 finish until the May event at Charlotte, the Coca-Cola 600. Six races later on the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky, Reutimann and the 00 team had their best race of the season, leading seven laps and coming up just short to Kyle Busch with a second place run. The rest of the year proved to be a real struggle. Reutimann was given notice that his services were no longer needed at MWR for 2012 with just a few races left. Despite that setback, Reutimann was able to earn his third and final top 10 of the year at Phoenix in the Kobalt Tools 500.
Reutimann only earned the penalty for pitting before pit road was open seven times in 2012, a sign that he was not involved in many incidents during the year and that his struggles came more due to the car not handling to his satisfaction. Reutimann was caught speeding twice all year by NASCAR while he was penalized twice for pitting out of order. The 00 crew was penalized four in 2012, all for having too many members over the wall.
2011 Statistics For David Reutimann
28th in Sprint Cup standings
1 top 5
3 top 10s
Best Finish: 2nd in the Quaker State 400
8 laps led
2011 Penalty Report For David Reutimann
Race 1 - Pre-Race to the rear, tail end, backup car; Pitting before pit road is open, tail end; Pitting before pit road is open, tail end
Race 2 - Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of the field
Race 4 - Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area, Tail of Field; Pitting out of order, Tail of Field
Race 7 - Pitting before pit road is open, tail end; Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area, tail end
Race 9 - Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field; Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area, Tail of Field
Race 20 - Pitting before pit road is open, tail end, garage
Race 23 - Speed-Exiting pits, Tail of Field
Race 24 - Pitting before pit road is open, tail end
Race 26 - Speed-Entering pits, tail end; Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area, tail end
Race 27 - Pitting out of order, Tail of Field
Race 30 - Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field, Missed Driver Intros