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Race report

Reutimann's race slowed by mechanical failure following contact in Pocono

No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team finished in the 31st position on Sunday afternoon.

David Reutimann, BK Racing Toyota

David Reutimann, BK Racing Toyota

Action Sports Photography

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. - David Reutimann and the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry team finished in the 31st position on Sunday afternoon at the track known as "The Tricky Triangle."

David Reutimann, BK Racing Toyota
David Reutimann, BK Racing Toyota

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

Following a rainy weekend in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania where two of the three practice sessions were cancelled for inclement weather, Reutimann, like many drivers, started Sunday's race with just 10 laps of practice. The driver picked up seven tenths-of-a-second between practice and qualifying to secure the 35th starting position for Sunday's GoBowling.com 400.

With limited practice time to fine-tune their setup for the differing track conditions, Reutimann started the race with his No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry a bit loose. With a long race and many scheduled pit stops, Reutimann's team approached each trip to pit road as an opportunity to improve their car. The BK Racing team made a variety of chassis adjustments, and ultimately hit on a track bar adjustment that seemed to help Reutimann navigate the three vastly different turns at Pocono Raceway.

Shortly after finding the proper adjustment, contact was made between Reutimann and the No. 48 of Jimmie Johnson, which knocked the track bar mount loose from the frame of the No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry chassis. As a result of the damage, Reutimann had to come into the garage for repairs to his machine.

The BK Racing crew worked quickly to repair their Toyota Camry and Reutimann returned to the track. However, being scored several laps behind the leader, the driver was eliminated from contention at "The Tricky Triangle." By the time the checkered flag waved, Reutimann was scored in the 31st position.

"We had a strong No. 83 Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry this weekend," commented Reutimann. "With only 10 laps of practice going into today's race, a lot of drivers weren't really sure what to expect. Our car was a bit too free at the start of the race, but our BK Racing team did a great job making adjustments each pit stop until we found a set up that we liked.

Unfortunately, we made a little contact and brushed against the wall--the contact was hard enough that it actually knocked the track bar mount loose from the frame and forced us into the garage for repairs. The guys did a great job getting us back on the track, but once you're stuck laps down, there's only so much ground you can regain. I'm excited to get to Watkins Glen International next weekend. We had a strong road course car at Sonoma [Calif.] Raceway last month, and I'm looking forward to another good run at a road course."

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will make its return to road course racing next weekend at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Sunday, August 11.

BKR

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