from Jennifer Chapple

Reutimann favors California: “California Speedway is a track that I’ve always enjoyed racing at because it’s really wide and you can race all over the track,” Reutimann said.

NSCS test at California last month: “After having a productive test at California , I’m ready to go back,” Reutimann said. “We made gains from the time we unloaded until the time we left. I feel like things are going to go well for us.”

Best California Moment: “Actually, there are a couple of things that stand out,” Reutimann said. “In my first time at California , I qualified fourth (finished 11th in 2003) for a Nationwide Series race when I drove for Joe Nemechek. Also, I won a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole (2006) driving for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports and that was pretty special. On the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series side, we made both races last season with the #00 Toyota Camry. We had one of our best runs at that track. We ran in the top-10 the whole race until getting caught up in a wreck.”

Top 35 is immediate goal for #00 Toyota Camry NSCS team: “We are really focused on positioning our team in the top 35 in points,” Reutimann said. “When teams are locked into the race, they unload with a different mindset. Everything they approach from practice to qualifying is different from what we are forced to do now. When we are locked in, we will be able to race better because we will be more geared towards the racing aspect instead of qualifying. That will make a huge difference.”

Reutimann’s thoughts on his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief Ryan Pemberton: “Ryan did an excellent job last week and I really enjoyed working with him,” Reutimann said. “The car drove well the entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. When he made small changes, it improved the handling. The cool thing is that he makes smart changes. We are still getting to know each other. He’s definitely calm and confident on the radio. When your crew chief is confident, it makes you that much more confident. You know that he is going to make changes to make the car better.”

NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series balancing act: “The fact that I love both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series makes it easy to run the two,” Reutimann said. “Of course, there are going to be hassles and little things that come up. Things are not always going to run as smoothly as you like. You just have to be prepared for the unexpected.”

Reutimann’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Crew Chief Jerry Baxter has California connections: “Jerry (Baxter) is a California guy,” Reutimann said. “He’s done a great job and is a great leader for the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry team. I love working with him and we have a great relationship. It would be cool to be able to give him a win in his home state because I’m sure he’s got family and buddies coming out to see the race. He wants to give me a win in Florida just like I want to give him a win in California . We would both like to do that for one another.”

Third season with Baxter in NNS: “Last year was my first full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” Reutimann said. “I started working with Jerry (Baxter) in 2006 and that was when I was lobbying real hard to run the full season in 2007. Finally, I got my shot and we had a solid year last season in the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry. We won a race ( Memphis Motorsports Park ) and a pole (Texas Motor Speedway) and finished second in the points standings. We worked well together and I can’t wait to see how 2008 shakes out for us.”

Toyota Motorsports Day: “On Wednesday, we are going to Toyota ’s headquarters
(Torrance, Calif.) for Toyota Motorsports Day,” Reutimann said. “It’s a pretty special event where all Toyota-powered drivers are able to meet Toyota employees and sign autographs. I have really enjoyed going to the event over the years. Not many drivers are able to say that they have been with Toyota since their first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, their first Nationwide Series race and their first Sprint Cup Series race. I have been with them each step of the way and I love working with them. Their work ethic and people are incredible. Being part of the Toyota family has been a phenomenal experience and I look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come.”