Jarrett will not take Reutimann’s ride if he fails to make the 500
Quote selected text Published February 14th, 2008 in NASCAR News
Dale Jarrett said he would not consider getting into teammate #00-David Reutimann’s car if the worst-case scenario happens Thursday and Jarrett fails to qualify for the Daytona 500. Some people have speculated that team owner Michael Waltrip might ask Reutimann to skip the race to allow Jarrett to compete in his final Daytona 500 start, if Jarrett doesn’t make it in.
“We won’t do that just because it’s my last one,” Jarrett said. “It won’t be the end of the world for me. We haven’t talked about it. “David is going to be there for the whole season. And I’m the one that recommended David to UPS [Jarrett's longtime sponsor], so I want him to go out and have a great Daytona 500.”
Reutimann will take over in the #44 UPS Toyota after the first five races when Jarrett retires. Reutimann is driving the #00 Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing in the first five events. Waltrip and Reutimann are starting on the front row in the second qualifying race Thursday. Jarrett is starting on the outside of Row 7. Waltrip and Reutimann have guaranteed spots in the 500, so they will allow Jarrett to move ahead of them in the qualifying race if necessary to get Jarrett into the 500.
Bookmark to:
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- Jarrett to run Busch race at Bristol backed by UPS
- Dale Jarrett to make debut as ESPN NASCAR analyst at Texas
- McDowell to drive Cup car for Waltrip after Jarrett’s retirement
Sure would suck if DJ missed his last 500! Hope he makes it.