This Saturday, Jan 28th, Darrell Waltrip and Emil “Buzzie” Reutimann will be inducted into the Eastern Motorsport Press Association Hall of Fame during the annual convention at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Trevose, Pennsylvania. To be inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame, is a special honor for Waltrip and the elder Reutimann. “It is always flattering when people want to recognize your accomplishments that you worked so hard to earn,” said Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion with 84 career wins. “I’m thrilled Buzzie and I are both winners together. The Reutimann family is a class act and I am excited about the opportunities that lie before Buzzie’s son, David, for the future with my team.”
The 64-year-old echoes Waltrip’s sentiment. “I would like to thank the press for telling our stories over the years,” said Reutimann. “If it wasn’t for them writing the stories, we wouldn’t be anywhere. Without them, Buzzie Reutimann wouldn’t be Buzzie Reutimann. I wouldn’t be receiving an award tomorrow night if it wasn’t for them. What they write is what you save in your scrapbooks. It is the memories you have. They write the memories we have and I know DW feels the same.” As Waltrip supposedly competed in his final NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway last October, Reutimann continues to race and win championships at age 64. As Reutimann accepts his award, he will be also accepting on behalf of Waltrip in his absence. “I want to thank my dear friend Buzzie Reutimann for filling in for me,” said Waltrip. “I am so thankful for this honor, but I do have one concern. Buzzie is a racer and he always has been and always will be. He is like me and he is always racing for the trophy. So, I’m a little concerned that Buzzie is taking two trophies to his house tomorrow tonight and that I will never see mine.”(Darrell Waltrip Motorsports PR)((1-27-2006)
