Unassuming Reutimann refreshing in sports today

David Reutimann could have become a free agent. He could have put himself out there on the open market and lined up his own hour-long television special to announce where he was headed next to drive.

OK, maybe not on the latter.

A nice win

For one of the most admired drivers in the garage, others couldn't help but be happy for David Reutimann.

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It wouldn't have been Reutimann's style to go all Lebron James on us anyway. The king of self-deprecating humor in the Sprint Cup garage never had any intention of leaving Michael Waltrip Racing if it would have him back to continue driving its No. 00 Toyota.

After Reutiumann's victory in the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday night, there was no doubt. Ty Norris, MWR's vice president, said Reutimann and crew chief Rodney Childers "proved that they deserve a contract. They deserve to be around."

An announcement to make it all official will be made July 23 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It won't take an hour unless maybe Reutimann starts telling jokes -- perhaps using himself as the punch line.

Reutimann confirmed this as only he could.

"We're in good shape," he said of his contract status with MWR. "We basically shook hands on the deal and we got things all lined up. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be at Michael Waltrip Racing. I may be cutting the grass, but I'll be at Michael Waltrip Racing."

Week that was

In a week in which NBA star James felt the need to buy an hour of prime-time television to tell the world where he would play basketball next season and for the foreseeable future, Reutimann's victory, by contrast, was popular sports-fare fodder for the common man.

First, let it be said that James has been crucified by many fans unfairly. You might disagree with the arrogant manner in which his message was delivered -- not to mention the indifferent way in which James dissed his former owner and the very fans who helped line his pockets for the first seven years of his career. But the fact is that this is America, and James had every right by the rules of his game to change his playing address if he so desired. (Continued)