After a successful start to the weekend at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS), David Reutimann and the #44 UPS Team experienced a disappointing finish after an engine failure relegated them to a 41st place finish in the Samsung 500. As the result of not finishing their second straight race due to a part failure, the #44 Team remains outside of the top-35 in owner's point standings.
The UPS Team was strong out of the gate on Friday as they lead the time sheet during the first practice session of the weekend. Reutimann was able to follow-up that performance with a sixth place qualifying effort and a top-10 speed in Saturday's Happy Hour practice. On Saturday afternoon, though, the first issue of the weekend arose as the team realized a problem in the engine during preparations for Sunday's race. The decision was made to change the engine, resulting in the #44 dropping to the rear of the field for the start of the Samsung 500.
With temperatures nearing the 80 degree mark on Sunday, Reutimann took the green flag from the 42nd position. Within ten laps, the #44 had picked off six positions to move into the 35th spot. While advancing on track, Reutimann radioed to crew chief Ryan Pemberton that his car's handling was extremely loose. Fortunately for Reutimann he was not alone as all crew chiefs were getting the same feedback from their drivers regarding the poor handling conditions.
For the next 150 laps, Pemberton called for extreme changes to the #44 Toyota during pit stops to help aid the loose-handling condition. On track, Reutimann continued to plug away as he managed to stay on the lead lap and break into the top-20. Finally, after making modifications to the shocks and spring rubbers, Reutimann responded the car was improving. The driver was still fighting handling conditions but was able to hold his position in the top-25.
On lap 256, Reutimann radioed to his team that his water temperature was climbing rapidly. Pemberton directed his driver to bring the #44 Toyota to pit road to the aid of his pit crew but the engine problem was terminal, forcing Reutimann to retire to the garage. With the 41st place finish, the #44 Team falls one position to the 38th spot in the owner standings, 38 points outside the top-35. As a result, the team will need to qualify on speed to lock into the race line next weekend at Phoenix.
"The motor all of a sudden got hot and dropped a cylinder then started blowing water out of the exhaust," Reutimann said after claiming from the #44 Toyota. "We've had some failures the past couple of weeks and the result is that we're just digging ourselves a deeper hole. All we have to do is finish and we'll be okay, but we can't even seem to do that. I'm really disappointed and hate it for UPS and everybody at Michael Waltrip Racing. We'll pick up and qualify on time next week."
Carl Edwards added another win to his credit on Sunday at TMS, bringing his total for the season to three victories for the #99 Team. It took a green-white-checkered finish for Edwards to hold off Jimmie Johnson who finished in the second position. Rounding out the remaining top-finishers are Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin.
After bringing out the first caution flag of the race for a spin in turn 4, Reutimann's teammate Michael Waltrip finished in the 31st position, six laps behind the race winner. Michael McDowell in the #00 Toyota brought home a 33rd place finish.
The next event for the Sprint Cup Series will be held at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 12th. The running of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET with live television coverage provided by FOX starting at 8 p.m. ET. Radio coverage will be broadcast by the Motor Racing Network (MRN).
