Mike Skinner, Scott Speed to replace AJ Allmendinger at Red Bull Racing
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.
