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Mike Skinner, Scott Speed to replace AJ Allmendinger at Red Bull Racing
By Rea White
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Scott Speed [above] and veteran NASCAR driver Mike Skinner will replace AJ Allmendinger at Red Bull Racing for the rest of the 2008 Sprint Cup season.
John Harrelson
Getty Images for NASCAR
Red Bull Racing officials announced today that veteran Mike Skinner and development driver Scott Speed will replace AJ Allmendinger in the No. 84 for the rest of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
The No. 84 team is currently 33rd in owners points.
"The schedule we put together is in the best interest of both Red Bull Racing Team and AJ's plans for the future," said Jay Frye, Red Bull's vice president and general manager. "Allowing Mike Skinner and Scott Speed to share the No. 84 for the balance of the season helps our team continue developing our program for the future."
Skinner, who drove the No. 84 for five races earlier this season, will drive the car this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and for the Oct. 11 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Speed, a former Formula One competitor, will drive the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota that he recently tested at Lowe's Motor Speedway in an attempt to make the race at Lowe's. He will also attempt to clinch the ARCA championship in Toledo, Ohio, that weekend. Speed will then take over driving duties of the No. 84 at Martinsville Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I'm really looking forward to my first Sprint Cup race with Red Bull," Speed said in a news release. "I can't describe how much it means to walk into Red Bull Racing and feel support from everyone on the team. It's a huge step up the ladder and another step towards the goal of becoming a Sprint Cup champion for Red Bull. I know this team has the performance level that it takes to be competitive."
During the recent race weekend at Kansas Speedway, Allmendinger said he had not signed any contracts for the future, though he is talking with other Cup teams. He and Red Bull had previously announced plans to part company for the 2009 season.
Mentioned Drivers: AJ Allmendinger
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Comments
10 responses to "Mike Skinner, Scott Speed to replace AJ Allmendinger at Red Bull Racing ". Post a Comment.
Pat Draper said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 11:19 AMI hope Red Bull is happy cause i sure am not. I like A.J and he has been every bit as good this year as Brian Vickers. And he will only get better as time goes on. AJ has the personality and the passion for racing and i for one hope he get a really great ride for the 2009 season. I think people will find Scott Speed to have a attitude that will not go over will with the fans. Especially taking over a ride that everyone wanted AJ to stay in.
Chazzo Ozzahc said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 12:13 PMI don't understand this move.AJ can whell a car,better than some other drivers out there. He fought adversity trying to get that team in the top 35.He finished 10th at Kansas,better than a couple chase drivers. Sure the consistency isnt there, but I dont really think its the drivers fault.Poor AJ, would have liked to have him in a RCR ride rather than Captain Casey Mears.
Jozef Colomy said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 1:11 PMWell hopefully AJ can go drive the 41 Target car for Ganassi next season...I really don't want to see him crash out of NASCAR like Franchitti did. He seems like one of the most dedicated drivers in the series, and I'm sure he'll end up somewhere where someone will appreciate his truly hard work.
Jessica Silleto said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 3:14 PMI think AJ would be better off at DEI than Ganassi. I just wish AJ would have been available BEFORE Logano was signed at JGR! I really like Scott Speed. I think he has a fun personality and I think he's got some talent, but Red Bull went about this all wrong! They should have just went to 3 cars instead of getting rid of AJ. I still don't understand what the heck they were thinking at Red Bull!
Carol said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 5:16 PM"The schedule we put together is in the best interest of both Red Bull Racing Team and AJ's plans for the future". Uhhh... last I heard this talented young gun doesn't actually HAVE any plans. Maybe his results from last week will help to shape some of those into a positive reality.
SUSAN OUTEN said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 5:50 PMI HOPE A TEAM WILL PICK UP THIS YOUNG TALENTED DRIVER SOON. HE IS SUCH A NICE AND TALENTED YOUNG MAN AND CAN DRIVE A CAR. GOOD LUCK AJ.
Chelsea said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 5:55 PMI agree, Jessica. I'm a huge Scott Speed fan, but Red Bull went about this all wrong. The least they could've done is let AJ finish out the year with the team he's worked so hard with.
Jimmy Rouse said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 6:53 PMSpeed is not ready 4 cup
Richard Gabovitz said:
Sep 30, 2008 at 11:27 PMWhat a mistake this is, what were they thinking, they should drug test the owners also. I'm not an AJ or Toyota fan, AJ has been very impressive and done much better than expected. Skinner is over the hill, he proved that in the driver replacement program this year and Speed what does he bring to the table........pretty toes nails. What a stupid move. I hope AJ gets a good ride in a Chevy next year. One team's stupidity will bring another team joy.
Pam Wright said:
Oct 1, 2008 at 4:23 AMI'm pretty new to Nascar and I love watching the racing. In fact even going to the race here in Phoenix. I really enjoyed AJ'and watching him run. Whoever signs him I will be watching him in his new ride. As for Red Bull I could care less what they do now.What a shame.