For the first time during the 2008 season, the checkered flag fell for under the lights as the Sprint Cup Series had a Saturday night shootout at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). David Reutimann and the #44 UPS Team returned to the top-35 in owner points standings after an 18th place finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500.
"We are back in the top-35 and that's a big step for us as a race team," Reutimann said. "The main thing is we don't have to worry about (qualifying). We can treat Friday's practice session like any other team in the garage and just focus on making our car better for race runs. It's going to be a lot of fun -- I'm looking forward to that."
Reutimann started Saturday's race from the 26th position and quickly moved the #44 UPS Toyota into the top-20. In the opening stages of the race, Reutimann fought a lack of forward byte with his Toyota Camry but still was able to pick off several positions to advance his position. On lap 111, Reutimann entered pit road under green flag conditions for a scheduled four-tire pit stop. Unfortunately, a caution flag on lap 115 placed Reutimann on the tail end of the lead lap just six cars in front of the leader.
"We pitted and then the yellow came out and I thought here we go, more of the same," Reutimann said when asked about the untimely caution. "We ended up on the tail end of the lead lap and I (figured) we had a fast car but we'll get strung out and probably go 200 laps without a yellow but instead we got a break with the caution flag and kept working on it."
On the restart on lap 122, Reutimann was able to pull away from leader, Jimmie Johnson. The yellow flag on 134 for oil on the track proved to be the key moment of the race for the UPS Toyota, returning Reutimann to the tail end of the lead lap and in position to advance through the field.
"We had a pretty bad brake issue there for the last quarter of the race," Reutimann continued. "It kind of hurt us there and I don't know why because we weren't using the brakes that much. All in all it was a decent day and we were able to get done what we needed to get done."
Jimmie Johnson scored the first win for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, the organization's third win in a row at PIR. Clint Bowyer finished in the runner-up position for Richard Childress Racing in his #07 entry. Rounding out the top-five finishers in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 were Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards and Mark Martin.
Reutimann's teammate Michael Waltrip finished in the 24th position, two laps behind the race winner. Michael McDowell in the #00 Toyota brought home a 34th place finish.
Next week the Sprint Cup Series competitors will enjoy a rare weekend off from the track returning to action at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27th. The running of the Aaron's 499 is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET with live television coverage provided by FOX starting at 1 p.m. ET. Radio coverage will be broadcast by the Motor Racing Network (MRN).
