Notes: Reutimann unfazed by double-duty schedule

LAS VEGAS -- David Reutimann knows just how hectic a racing schedule can be while competing for two NASCAR championships. But that's fine with him.

Reutimann is one of four drivers scheduled for full-time double duty in the Nationwide Series and in the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.

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It marks the second consecutive year for the Zephyrhills, Fla., native to tackle both circuits -- driving for Michael Waltrip Racing. Reutimann finished as the runner up in the Nationwide Series championship standings last year -- with one win, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.

He was busy on Wednesday preparing for a run at this year's Nationwide Series title, participating in NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"We did it last year," Reutimann said of his double-duty effort. "When we were getting things worked out to do it this year, I let everybody at Michael Waltrip Racing know that I wanted to do it again. You don't always have the opportunity to be with great race teams and have the opportunity to win championships, no matter what series you're in.

"In the Nationwide Series we have that caliber of team with Aaron's, Michael Waltrip Racing and [crew chief] Jerry Baxter. I was insistent on doing it again. It certainly wasn't something I was forced into doing."

Reutimann admits, however, that both schedules can become demanding. "It can get pretty hectic, but you kind of get use to it," he said.

While 26 of the 35 Nationwide Series events on the 2008 schedule are companion races with the Cup Series, the stand-alones can be even more demanding.

"With the races that are not in conjunction, where you have to get out of practice early with one car and jump on a plane and fly to another racetrack, it can get a little hectic," Reutimann said. "I think the thing that is even more hectic sometimes is jumping out of a car and going from one side of the garage to the other. You're just consistently running back and forth."

Traveling from one track to another actually offers him a break, according to Reutimann. "I enjoy the travel part of it. It's easy for me. The people that put it all together, it's tough on them."

Despite his busy schedule, Reutimann says it pales in comparison to the pace his father, Buzzie Reutimann, maintained at one point in his racing career.

"He raced a lot. He would run four or five nights a week, tow his own race car and work on the car," Reutimann said. "He was a one-man show pretty much, just with a couple of volunteer guys. My schedule may seem a little hectic, but I don't think my schedule would compare to it."

Morning recap

Thirty-three teams turned out for the first of two days of testing for the Nationwide Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the morning session, David Reutimann turned the fastest lap at 180.675 mph.

Kyle Busch was second quickest with a lap of 180.150 in his Toyota while Jeff Burton was the only other driver to eclipse the 180 mph mark with a lap of 180.072.

Pit Stops

• West Coast natives from the NASCAR Camping World Series -- Johnny Borneman, a second-generation driver in the Camping World Series, and Todd Souza -- are participating in the test. Both California drivers plan to enter this year's Sam's Town 300 at LVMS.

• Mark Martin made his 2008 Nationwide Series debut at the Las Vegas test. The series' all-time leader in wins (47) and poles (30) was shaking down the No. 5 Chevrolet for the star-studded JR Motorsports organization. He was sixth-fastest in the first practice at 179.283 mph (30.120 seconds). Martin is a two-time winner at Las Vegas in Nationwide Series competition.