The NTN has been removed from the hood of David Reutimann’s #17 Toyota Tundra. Instead, there will be a big THANKS DW! lettered in white. “It’s a small way of letting DW know that we appreciate and know all he’s done for NASCAR and for the Craftsman Truck Series,” said Reutimann. “When NTN was asked if we could put THANKS DW! on the tailgate, Rick (Thomas) said we’ll do better than that and we’ll put it on the hood. It shows how much NTN appreciates everything DW has done. It also shows our support as a team. It’s sad to see him go, but I’m glad he’s got the opportunity to go out the way he wants to go.”
“NTN is very proud to be a part of Darrell Waltrip’s ‘One and Done’ and any other endeavor this man may choose,” said Rick Thomas, President and C.O.O. of NTN Bearing Corporation of America. “We have had several excellent champions since DW got his last one, but long after most of us have forgotten who they were, Darrell Waltrip’s name will be remembered. There are only so many ‘impact’ players in any sport. DW is an ‘mpact’ player and is synonymous with stock car racing in this country.” As a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor, Waltrip’s best career finish is fifth at Martinsville, where he has also registered 11 Cup wins. Overall, the Owensboro, Ky.-native has eight top-10 finishes in his 16 NCTS starts. “DW has enjoyed racing in the Craftsman Truck Series,” said Reutimann. “He’s brought a lot to the series whether it’s been as a team owner or a driver. He’s really taking this race serious. I’m glad to have him as a teammate. I think he’ll do really well this weekend.(PR)(10-20-2005)
