Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner David Reutimann is returning to the Camping World Truck Series it was announced Monday.

Reutimann, who spent the last four seasons driving full time for Michael Waltrip Racing in Cup, will drive a NASCAR Camping World truck for Ricky Benton Racing Enterprises in 13 to 15 of the 22 races.

The team’s schedule could expand if more sponsorship is secured.

“The truck series is where I got my start,” Reutimann, who was the 2004 rookie of the year in Camping World, said. “It’s a very competitive series and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to run some races with a good team that is in the process of building.

“There is definitely the potential to run well (at RBR). I wouldn’t have accepted this opportunity if I didn’t believe that. It’s going to be a challenge, but I like the fact that they are committed to bringing the best piece to the track at the races we run instead of taking less than our best to every race.”

The move to RBR Enterprises reunites Reutimann in the truck series with recently hired crew chief Jason Overstreet, with whom he worked at Darrell Waltrip Racing and Germain Racing. Together the duo combined for six poles and one race win in the series with Waltrip from 2004-06.

“Having worked with David and having a great working relationship with him definitely flattens the learning curve,” Overstreet said. “We have a lot of experience working together, so we have already hit the ground running and can’t wait for Daytona to get here.”

The driver agrees.

“It definitely makes things easier having that relationship with Jason,” Reutimann said. “It really is neat to be working with him again and not having to go through the whole process of learning someone new.”

Team owner Ricky Benton is looking forward to what Reutimann and Overstreet bring to the fledgling organization for the 2012 season.

“Over the last two years, we have made great progress in our truck program and are thankful for everyone who has been involved,” said Benton. “But putting a winning driver the caliber of David Reutimann behind the wheel and having Jason (Overstreet) managing the team and making the race day calls is going to take us to the level where we are running up front consistently and contending for wins.

“Now we just need to get a few more partners on the truck to make a run at the championship.”

Driver Clay Rogers finished 20th in the 2011 NCWTS points standings driving the No. 92 BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/fleetHQ.com Chevrolet despite only making 15 of 25 starts in the series.

No Comment