UPS announced in October that Florida-native David Reutimann would take over the driving duties of the UPS Toyota when veteran Dale Jarrett retires in early 2008. Reutimann was a virtual newcomer to the NASCAR community when he was tabbed to drive for Michael Waltrip Racing in both the NASCAR Busch and Nextel Cup Series for the 2007 season despite having spent a handful of seasons in the NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series.
During the 2007 NASCAR season Reutimann competed for Rookie of the Year honors in both the Busch and Nextel Cup Series, scoring the honor in NASCAR's Busch Series where he also finished the year second in the driver point standings. He is now scheduled to drive for one of America's most recognized brands in UPS and will be the representative for UPS and its more than 420,000 employees worldwide.
What fans are about to see is the story of a young man that grew up in Zephyrhills, Fla. where all he knew was auto racing as a career and a lifestyle.
"I'm a third generation driver," Reutimann said. "My grandfather raced, my father, uncles, cousins – the whole family pretty much raced or worked on cars. I've never done anything but this."
With Jarrett UPS had a respected champion that represented himself well both on and off the track. Jarrett says they will have more of the same in Reutimann.
"David is a very talented race car driver," Jarrett said. "In fact, people that don't know him are going to be somewhat surprised at how well he'll do on the track. Aside from being a very talented driver he's a good family man and he kind of fits the mold of what we like to have at UPS. He's a fun person to be around and everyone's going to enjoy getting to know him."
What is instantly clear about Reutimann is that he is very humble, respectful and self-deprecating when it comes to the position in which he finds himself for the 2008 NASCAR season.
"I don't look at this opportunity as taking over the driving duties from Dale," Reutimann explains. "The UPS car is and always will be Dale Jarrett's. I tell people that I'm just borrowing the UPS Toyota on the weekends. It's a little scary when people say I am replacing Dale because you're never going to replace an icon like DJ. It's going to be a huge undertaking and I am coming in to do as good a job. DJ has put a lot of faith in me in that he thinks I can do the job the way it needs to be done."
"Talk about shoes to fill, all I can do is try to do as good a job as I can," he adds.
As a rookie in the Nextel Cup Series in 2007, Reutimann was confronted with the dual challenge of trying to overcome the learning curve of transitioning from the Truck Series to the Cup Series while also adjusting to competition with a first-year organization and manufacturer. Despite the numerous obstacles, Reutimann handled the year with maturity and grace, exercising patience while also striving to prove himself and his abilities behind the wheel of the race car.
"It always seems to take a long time to get to this point in your career," Reutimann said. "It sounds like it happened in a real short time but it took a while to get to this point."
"I think for lack of a better term I think I am cautious when need be," Reutimann said, describing his driving style. "When it comes down to the end of the race I'm aggressive and willing to put my car in position to win."
That combination of fire and desire to do well on the race track is what led to his position of being the new driver of the UPS Toyota for the 2008 NASCAR season.
"Sponsorship is what makes our sport what it is," Reutimann said. "To come in and have one of the biggest names in the world on your race car that's a lot of pressure but it's also an honor that people put faith in you to do a job to the best you can. I'm very appreciative for the fact that UPS has signed on and placed that faith in me."
