NASCAR's David Reutimann - From Boy to Superstar

Born on the 2nd of March in 1970, David ReutimannSportsmanship award.
grew up in Zephyrhills, Florida with the zeal of drivingWhat probably was his biggest win was his
inborn within him. David's family name resoundsdaughter's birth in 2001. Reutimann who now resides
strongly within the old school races and various fansin Mooresville, North Carolina, set up house with his
throughout the east coast. Their family name iswife Lisa and young daughter Emilia with their
notorious on the race tracks of Orlando, Florida.mini-dachshunds, Roxie and Daisy.
Buzzie and Wayne (David's father and uncle) wereIt took him a few years after his debut onto the
legends amongst the old school racers throughoutprofessional scene before he got his three wins in
the east coast. Their presence commands respect on2002 and with that, finished second in the overall
and off the tracks and such a tradition was instilled inchampionship standings. It was also that same year
young David. David was brought up with racing in histhat the Florida native entered his first of four
blood and he has made sure to continue the bloodlineNASCAR Busch Series races. The car he raced in was
on the tracks.owned by Joe Nemechek after getting some help
David's grandfather and father would tear down thefrom an old friend called Brian Pattie. Reutimann went
tracks in their early 30s Chevys, trimmed in blue andon to finish at the 16th spot when he debuted at the
white with the famous "00" painted on red. TheyRichmond International Raceway and later finished in
brought their game to the track and had their trophythe top 15 twice that same season. The next
in tow. Buzzie had the DIRT world in his hands afterseasons, he ran seven Busch races for NEMCO. He
storm winning events all over the Eastern seaboard.also participated in the New England 300 and the
David, at the beginning was very much like his father.Brickyard 400 in the Winston Cup Series in the #04
He was driving modifieds and late models on dirt andfor Morgan-McClure Motorsports, but unfortunately
paved tracks while building up his own reputation.failed to make the cut to qualify at both times.
Although the transition from weekly tracks to bigDavid then signed on with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports
competitions was extremely hard, David proved thein 2004 to race the NTN Bearings truck in the
critics wrong. He was able to make the changeCraftsman Truck series. He won the pole in his
smoothly and after getting noticed by Darrell Waltrip,second race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, David
the pieces fell into place. All of this took place whenhad four top-fives and with his finish in 14th place in
He moved up to the Slim Jim all Pro Series in 1997.points, he managed to snatch Rookie of the Year
He won Rookie of the year, finished in the top-tenagain into his bag. His first career race was won in
eight times and had a fifth-place points finish. One2005 at the Nashville Superspeedway. He then went
would conclude that that was pretty good for such aon to make his cup debut at Lowe's Motor
large change in a short period of time. At the nextSpeedway and continued to make fifteen Busch
season's end, Reutimann grabbed a hold of thestarts and had four top tens.