Some of my own best childhood
family memories surround this little place, like riding home sleeping against my Dad in our 62’ Bonneville convertible.
Time went on, Buzzie
and brother Wayne
grew moved into sprint cars, dirt modifieds up north, and alcohol burning supermodifieds. The Reutimann family name is legend
among hard edge old school racers and fans throughout the east coast, and is synonymous with the word “respect”.
And not once was it asked for, it was and is pretty much simply an understanding. When someone would whisper “The Reutimann’s
are here”, all eyes would turn knowingly toward the pit gate as they pulled in.
Meanwhile, Cup has changed
into a weekly soap opera; drivers are being contracted by teams based on their looks and personalities as much as their driving
ability. It has become nearly impossible to make it from the weekly tracks to the big time, particularly as one approaches
their thirties.
But Joe Nemechek gave
David Reutimann a chance, and he proved to be able to make the transition. Darrell Waltrip noticed, and the rest is now history.
Some would say that David
running the Reutimann family # “00” in Cup is simply coincidence. Darrell and Michael, with deep family and spiritual
beliefs of their own, would not agree.
And then there is the
extended Michael Waltrip family-- his fan club, the “Walnutz”. These are the most compassionate fans in motorsports,
and have pulled for Michael during the good times and the more often not-so-good times.
Coming full circle for
me has been a recent and painful illness that has reminded me of my own mortality, that there is more to life than heaving
hot dogs at David Ragan on the television on Sunday afternoon. The Walnutz have been more than supportive, and most are deeply
spiritual as well, another non-coincidence. It is humbling to know that they are pulling for me, someone that they have never
met, and I sincerely thank them for their support.
These fans know that
Michael is not going to out duel Tony Stewart or Kurt Busch this weekend, but they hold out hope and they see his heart, the
heart that hired David Reutimann to drive his Cup Car, a car that must do well.
Michael is putting together
a formidable team, for which he is primarily the front man. When his success—and David Reutimann’s, comes, some
will say it is coincidence that they were in the right place at the right time for the Toyota
sponsorship.
But there are those that
know that many things in life are anything but a coincidence, that believing has its own rewards. Michael and Darrell Waltrip,
Buzzie, Wayne, and David Reutimann, the Walnutz, and of course, this writer, all fall into that camp.
Welcome to another racing
family, David. One day, we will all be home, all be Family, together. Meanwhile, we will look for the “00” to
be where it belongs, again, in victory lane.
Questions,
Comments;
Email Jay
The views and opinions in this article are
that of the writer and not necessarily that of SCR
2006 StockCar Review.
