Dropped Cylinder Ends Aaron’s Dream Machine Top-15 Streak

HAMPTON, GA (March 8, 2009) David Reutimann suffered his worst finish of the year, 32nd, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway after the engine in his Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry dropped a cylinder.  The loss of power and a brief inspection of the engine in the garage put Reutimann 20-laps down from the leader midway through the 325-lap event, but the Dream Machine was able to keep its lap times above the minimum and Reutimann was able to pick up five positions before the checkered flag fell.

Reutimann qualified 18th at the 1.5-mile speedway and moved forward four positions before the handling of the Aaron’s Dream Machine went away and Reutimann quickly slid back through the field.  It took only 44 laps before the leader passed and put Reutimann one lap down. 

Crew Chief Rodney Childers ordered major adjustments to the Dream Machine during pit stops early in the race to help the handling, but the racecar continued to be a handful and on the verge of spinning out with each lap. 

All that changed on lap 128 when Reutimann radioed in that the engine dropped a cylinder and his lap times slowed.  Childers ordered Reutimann to the garage for a closer inspection of the engine with the hopes of making a repair and retuning to the track to pick up any valuable positions.

Once in the garage a team of Toyota Racing Development engineers confirmed that one of the valves had dropped into the cylinder and could not be repaired.  Childers ordered Reutimann back onto the track on lap 181 in 37th position 20-laps down with the hopes of gaining a few positions.

Reutimann nursed the Dream Machine around the track for the remainder of the race and was able to move up five spots to finish 32nd.  The disappointing finish dropped Reutimann from fifth to 12th in the championship points.

Aaron’s had a major presence at the speedway highlighted by the addition of two large Aaron’s logos on the front stretch asphalt.  The new signage coupled with the existing Aaron’s billboard in turn one and a large corporate display for the fans, gave Aaron’s tremendous visibility for the fans and the television broadcast.

The Aaron’s corporate display showcased Aaron’s products and entertained fans all weekend with dance teams and the Southern Belles clogging ensemble.  Aaron’s executives and guests enjoyed beautiful weather and had the opportunity to meet driver David Reutimann before the race.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup series takes a weekend off next week but gears up at Bristol Motor Speedway March 22.