David Reutimann could be movin' on up to a Cup ride. Credit: Autostock

Reutimann on the move both on and off the track

RICHMOND, Va. -- David Reutimann knows what it's like to be homeless.

No, the Busch Series driver that hopes to land a full-time Nextel Cup ride with Michael Waltrip Racing next season hasn't lived in a cardboard box on the street.

But he spent much of the past year living out of a motorcoach because of setbacks with the house he was purchasing.

"We made the most of it,'' said Reutimann, who spent eight months in the motorcoach with his wife, 4-year-old daughter and miniature Dachshund. "My daughter could care less. She liked the motorhome as well as anywhere else.

"But we're glad to have some space now. It's nice.''

Reutimann had a deal for a new house, but when the builder ran low on funds and took too long to finish alternative plans had to be made.

The 2004 Craftsman Truck Series rookie of the year finally found an existing home that he and the family moved into a month ago.

"The important thing was we were all together,'' said Reutimann, who could be named the new driver at MWR within a week. "It was not ideal most of the time, but it definitely brought us closer together as a family.''

Because the motorcoach had only one bedroom, Reutimann's daughter slept on a blow-up bed that was stored in a compartment during the day. Because the kitchen was so small there weren't a lot of big family meals.

"We'd eat anywhere we could get out of the motorhome,'' Reutimann said. "I found that when you have a 4-year-old daughter, she doesn't necessarily like to go anywhere you sit down and eat.

"She likes to go to places where you drive up to the window and they give you something with a prize in it. We eat at a lot of Burger King and places like that.''

Reutimann has plenty of connections with fast-food joints. The Toyota Camry he's in line to drive for Waltrip will be sponsored by Burger King and Domino's Pizza.

"Nothing wrong with free food,'' Reutimann said with a laugh.

The Reutimann's lived at the Tom Johnson Camping Center outside of Lowe's Motor Speedway for several months. They parked near a small pond where Reutimann could take his daughter fishing.

"There weren't many neighbors, probably six or eight of us that were spread out,'' Reutimann said.

They spent the remainder of this experience in a more remote area in the country where Reutimann could work on his dirt cars.

"It was out in the middle of nowhere,'' Reutimann said. "That was one of the things that convinced me to get serious about a house. I didn't feel all that safe leaving the family there while I was gone racing on the weekends.''

Reutimann, 36, never thought he'd have the money to buy a motorcoach, much less a big house, when he was coming through the ranks. If his meeting with Burger King officials goes well in Miami on Tuesday, a lot more doors may open.

Not only would that clear the way for him to drive full time in Cup, it would provide opportunities to replace Waltrip as a commercial spokesperson for Burger King and Domino's.

"I've not done a commercial, but it's something I've always wanted to do and try,'' Reutimann said. "I got a new sneak preview of the new Toyota spot coming out with Michael and D.W. It entails D.W. and Michael being in a parade on some float.

"In the end it's pretty funny. You'll have to stay tuned to find out more.''

A move to Cup also might lead to Reutimann one day flying his own airplane instead of the remote control ones that are his hobby.

"Obviously, you'd love to have your own plane,'' he said. "It makes you feel like you've really made it in this business. Right now I would settle for riding more on Michael's plane. Owning my own plane, that's a big investment.''

Besides, Reutimann is just getting used to owning his new home.

"Living in the motorcoach was an experience, but I'm glad I did it,'' Reutimann said. "It makes you appreciate when you have so much more now.''