David Reutimann and sponsor NTN Bearings will return to DW Motorsports #17 Toyota Truck in 2005. Bobby Kennedy will continue to be the team manager. Jason Overstreet will be the crew chief. Intentions are to have a second team next year and DW is trying to put together a sponsorship deal and hire a second driver.(FoxSports)(11-30-2004)
UPDATE: hearing the driver for DW’s 2nd team could be Hank Parker Jr. who is available since IMI [#12,#21] supposedly closed shop.(12-2-2004)
UPDATE 2: “Darrell Waltrip Motorsports is trying to secure sponsorship for a second team,” stated Bobby Kennedy, Darrell Waltrip Motorsports Team Manager. “No driver has been named at this time.”(12-3-2004)
UPDATE 3: Expect an announcement in the next few days that Darrell Waltrip Motorsports will be fielding a 2nd full-time truck team in 2005. Robert Huffman in the #12 Toyota Tundra will join David Reutiman who drives the #17. The 2nd team will be factory-backed by Toyota. Also look for DW to drive a race or two in the #11 Tundra.(1-5-2005)
UPDATE 4: Darrell Waltrip Motorsports announces the addition of a second full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team with driver Robert Huffman. Huffman and Crew Chief Glenn Funderburk will campaign for the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship with the #12 Toyota Tundra entry alongside teammate David Reutimann, driver of the #17 NTN Bearings Toyota Tundra. Huffman made waves in the NASCAR Dash Series eventually becoming a five-time champion (1990, 1998, 1999,2000, 2003) recording 42 wins (second in all time wins). Trying his hand at something new, Huffman made two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 1997 with his debut occurring at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Claremont (N.C.) native also competed in 11 Busch Series events (1991-93). Out of Huffman’s accomplishments to date, one of his most memorable triumphs was winning Toyota Motorsports first-ever NASCAR championship in the 2003 Dash Series driving a Toyota Celica. After repeated championships in the Dash Series, Huffman was ready to step up to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the Toyota Motorsports program. Huffman registered six top-10 finishes in 24 starts during his rookie season. Overall Toyota Motorsports fleet of Tundra’s collected four wins, 25 top-5 finishes, 54 top-ten finishes and five pole awards during their inaugural year in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(DWM PR)(1-11-2005)
