Reutimann signs through 2012 with MWR

INDIANAPOLIS -- Michael Waltrip Racing on Friday announced that it has signed agreements extending its relationships with driver David Reutimann and primary sponsor Aaron's, Inc., on the No. 00 Toyota through the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season.

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Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann talk about the driver's contract extension.

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"I'm glad both Michael Waltrip Racing and Aaron's want to keep me around," Reutimann joked. "I've been asked about my contract for the last month and we've had a handshake agreement, but now it's done and I'm glad I can finally talk about it. I'm thrilled. This is where I want to be -- at Michael Waltrip Racing driving the No. 00 with Aaron's on the hood. Aaron's has been a great partner and I consider myself a lucky dog every time I get behind the wheel of the Aaron's Dream Machine.

"Michael and Darrell Waltrip have given me just about every chance I have ever had in NASCAR since 2004 and I don't want to go anywhere else. Good things are happening here and I plan to be a part of it."

Reutimann, 40, earned his second Cup Series victory on July 10 in Chicagoland. He earned his and MWR's first Cup victory at Charlotte in May 2009. He owns victories all three NASCAR national-touring series. No driver owns more Toyota starts in NASCAR than Reutimann.

Michael Waltrip said he never doubted Reutimann's return.

"We never wavered on wanting to extend David and neither did Aaron's. David and Aaron's are like family to me. They've both been a large part of Michael Waltrip Racing since the very beginning and have stuck with us through thick and thin," Waltrip said. "In the beginning we all took a chance on each other. You might say it was a high-risk, high-reward proposition for everyone involved, but we all believed in each other and we are now starting to see those rewards a little more each day."

Aaron's will increase its primary sponsorship of Reutimann's No. 00 from 24 to 30 races this year with Tums and Best Western completing the schedule. Aaron's will remain at 30 races in 2011 and '12 and assume associate sponsorship position with all MWR Toyotas.

Related:
• Reutimann's career, family, demons now secure