Reutimann to Replace Busch in Pocono

David Reutimann will get the chance to be competitive for the first time
in 2012

Phoenix Racing owner James Finch announced on Sirius/XM Nascar Radio that David Reutimann will move from the Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 10 car to fill his vacant No. 51 car this weekend at Pocono while their current driver, Kurt Busch, serves his one-week suspension for verbally assaulting Sporting News reporter Bob Pockrass last Saturday in Dover.

Finch also said that he would meet with Busch over "the next week and have a come-to-Jesus meeting."

This is Busch's fourth run-in with a media member since Richmond last September and his first since a profanity-laden tirade cost him his last job at Penske Racing.

When Busch signed with Phoenix Racing, Finch said of the deal, "He can't quit and I can't fire him."

Now it appears the owner has changed his tune.

"Quit wrecking cars (and) be nice to people," Finch will tell Busch during their meeting. "That's not hard to do." The hot-headed driver has wrecked 13 cars in the 14 events so far this year, which has taken a severe toll on a single car team with only a few employees and no regular sponsorship. Finch made it abundantly clear that, if Busch is to stay in his car, changes must be made. Fast.

"We've got to get Kurt in the right frame of mind," he said. "He needs to either get his mind right or he's going to be working somewhere else. If we stay together it will be on a race-by-race basis."

Since Reutimann will drive the No. 51 car this weekend, Dave Blaney will move into his No. 10 car. Tony Raines will also move into Blaney's No. 36 machine. All three of these rides are locked into Sunday's field.