Catchfence

David Reutimann

Is it possible for you to make it into the Chase this year?

“Absolutely. At least at our team and within our organization it’s expected. If we don’t, we don’t, but at the same time we’re expecting ourselves to get into the Chase. If we don’t then it’s going to be a little hard to deal with.”

Do you expect to win a couple of races this year?

“Getting in the Chase is a big deal, but winning some races along the way to do that is definitely a priority. If you win races then your chances of getting in the Chase are a lot better with the points gained for that day. Our goal is to win races and be consistent, that’s our main goal. Sometimes, you lose focus as you focus so much on trying to win races that trying to get top-five finishes or top-10 finishes are what ultimately will get us into the Chase. You have to be aggressive, but you can’t lose sight of what you’re really trying to do.”

Do you feel more comfortable in the race car now?

“I’m getting there I think. About the time you feel comfortable at this level, something is going to happen so you don’t ever feel totally comfortable. You just keep plugging away at it and trying to get better. Some of these guys feel like walking around in their living room because they are that comfortable and I’m just not that way. Not having to worry about qualifying makes life a lot easier. That was a miserable time and I don’t want to go back.”

How do you think Michael Waltrip will deal with not driving?

“I think it kind of remains to be seen. Michael (Waltrip) knew he was coming down to Daytona to make the Daytona 500 so he knew he was going to Daytona. When it comes time where he’s not going to be in the car, I think that’s going to be difficult for a guy that loves the sport as much as Michael Waltrip does and has been as heavily involved in it for as many years as he has, I think just walking away is going to be very, very tough. That’s my opinion. Just knowing Michael (Waltrip) like I do, he loves the sport, he loves what he does and I think it will be difficult.”

What do you think about Trevor Bayne?

“He does very good — he’s a very good qualifier, he qualifies extremely good. He definitely has speed and definitely has talent. He reminds me of when I would go out in the Truck Series and I would qualify really, really well and then couldn’t put the whole entire race together. I’ve been in those situations. He’ll be able to learn and be able to adapt and know what he wants to feel in a car to make it better for the longer run and stuff. He’s definitely got talent. He’s very young, very hungry guy and he’s got a good race team over here with Jerry Baxter (crew chief) and those guys. They’re going to be tough this year.”

What do you see in Trevor Bayne that stands out?

“I just think he’s very into what he’s doing and very gung-ho, very enthusiastic about everything. Whether it’s an appearance or whatever, he’s like, ‘This is great, this is great.’ I had to do a Lowe’s Foods grocery store opening and we were signing autographs and he was all over the place. I told him to just sign autographs, but he was so happy and so enthused to be there and be a part of that deal. I think that’s pretty cool and I think that’s something that is kind of lost in our sport. Guys kind of go through the motions and don’t realize how fortunate they are to be able to go do things like that.”

Do you shop or purchase products affiliated with your sponsors?

“Absolutely, if I have to run and get auto parts or something like that then I go to NAPA. We have Lowe’s Foods who sponsors us and I don’t do any grocery shopping, but when the grocery shopping has to get done then we go to Lowe’s Foods. We try to support and even when it comes down to things like what hotel you are going to stay in on the road or during the off-season, you will try to go in and do a deal at a Best Western or something like that. We definitely remain loyal to our sponsors and stuff like that. If I’m going down the road and getting ready to go into a gas station then I’ll probably go to a station that supports NASCAR as opposed to one that wouldn’t. I don’t really have to think about it, it just happens.”

Do sponsors ask different things of you as they work on maximizing their sponsorships?

“I think they’re getting a little more creative with doing different things. I think Best Western is doing a deal that they are calling a ‘Tweet Crew,’ which is going to follow us around the race track at Phoenix and Tweet about everything they see. I think that’s a unique marketing program and something that we haven’t seen. I think sponsors and companies are going to get more creative in trying to get the word out and spread the word a little bit more. Before you were just doing the same thing every week and I don’t think the same thing is good enough anymore. The harder sponsorships are then I think you have to be a little more creative.”

How have the cars at Michael Waltrip Racing improved?

“Our cars are so much more superior to what we had when we started, you just can’t compare them. There is just no comparison between them.”

How important is it for your father to still be involved in your career?

“He’s the guy that’s basically made it happen for me over the years as far as making sacrifices and working really hard, giving me advice and keep me going. I think it’s very important to have him around and he’s been around my entire life as far as racing goes. I wouldn’t know how to act without having my dad here. He’s a part of my racing program from day one till now and hopefully for a long time to come.”

- Toyota Motorsports, Press Release