Kurt Busch‘s suspension could breathe new life into David Reutimann‘s 2012 season. The driver, who has been running for a combination of teams this season has been hired to drive the No. 51 car in a one-race deal this weekend at Pocono. Owner James Finch worked with Tommy Baldwin Racing to make this move, as Reutimann is under contract to drive the No. 10 for each race that Danica Patrick doesn’t run the car number.
“I understand the position James was put in this week,” explained Tommy Baldwin. “As an owner of a small team, I wanted to help him out.”
Reutimann’s departure puts Dave Blaney behind the wheel of the No. 10 Chevy this weekend. Both that car and the No. 36, which will now be driven by Tony Raines remain unsponsored for this Sunday’s event (June 10).
Raines will almost certainly park the second car, which also remains unsponsored and it’s even unclear whether the “Danica car” will run the distance. Both teams have over a full-race advantage in points on those trying to knock them out of NASCAR’s Top 35, guaranteeing them a qualifying spot for the following event.
Reutimann, who spent the previous five years running for Michael Waltrip Racing in Sprint Cup, has yet to score a top-20 finish this season. He’ll run the distance in the Phoenix Racing car, while Finch remains undetermined on the future beyond that. In an interview with SIRIUS XM Radio this morning, the car owner said he plans to meet with Busch and that any future association with the driver will be on a “race-by-race” basis.
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