David Reutimann has confirmed that crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left his Michael Waltrip Racing Sprint Cup team.

Reutimann, who finished 22nd in the Sprint Cup standings this year, said the search for a new crew chief has begun. When he starts 2009, Reutimann will start with his third crew chief in three seasons. He drove in 2007 with Frank Kerr.

“Ryan's gone,” Reutimann told the St. Petersburg Times during the recent Nationwide Series championship media day in Florida. “I don't know. I think he's going to Red Bull. I'm disappointed with that.”

Meanwhile, fresh off a seventh-place finish in the Nationwide Series, Reutimann says he is trying to put together as many races as possible in the series next season.

Sponsor Aaron's previously announced it would support ten Nationwide races next season, with Reutimann and Michael Waltrip sharing the driving duties.

“It's not looking like, as it stands right now, that I have anywhere near to a full schedule on the Nationwide Series (side),” he said. “That's been disappointing. That's the way it stands right now. But we're working on some different stuff trying to put some deals together. … Ideally I'd like to do another full season, I just don't think it's in the cards for us right now.”

Reutimann competed full time in the series the past two seasons. He finished second in the series standings in 2007.

by Sporting News