Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Skinner, Speed to finish season for Red Bull

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- AJ Allmendinger will not finish the season with Red Bull Racing, giving up his seat to Mike Skinner and Scott Speed for the final seven races of the year.

Allmendinger is not returning to the No. 84 Toyota next year, and the team is letting him go early to pursue another job. He finished a career-high ninth in his Red Bull finale Sunday at Kansas Speedway.


Skinner, who drove the car for five races earlier this season, will drive the car the next two weeks at Talladega and Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Speed, who is making the transition from Formula One to NASCAR under Red Bull's guidance, will make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Lowe's in a third Red Bull entry. He'll then finish the year in the No. 84 by driving at Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.

"The schedule we put together is in the best interest of both Red Bull Racing Team and AJ's plans for the future," general manager Jay Frye said Tuesday. "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."

Speed is believed to be in line to drive the No. 84 full time next season.


Allmendinger expects Sunday to be finale in 84
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