Red Bull Racing re-evaluating Allmendinger's team

[bblocker68]

I wonder if AJA is thinking things may have not been all that bad in open wheel racing after all. I know it would never happen, but wouldn't it be interesting if Forsythe decides to go racing and needs anoither driver? Man, what a good dose of irony that all could be.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/03/02/lasvegas.notebook.ap/index.html

[Lee Roy]

I think the author of that post is being kind. It looks like more of an evaluation of Allmendinger. His teammate has made every race so far this year and is 13th in points.

[pits4me]

AJ belongs in open wheel. He's just too stubborn to admit his mistake.

[weeflyonthewall]

Rumor has it AJA is being dropped to Nationwide for some seasoning.

[SoCalPVguy]

Rumor has it AJA is being dropped to Nationwide for some seasoning.

Yep. True AJ is OUT at Red Bull Sprint Cup, no word on the Nationwide demotion...

Red Bull Racing Team has confirmed that veteran NASCAR driver Mike Skinner will temporarily replace AJ Allmendinger in the No. 84 Red Bull Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series effective this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Skinner, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, currently races full-time in the No. 5 Toyota Tundra. "We’re at a crossroads where we need to make a change that will elevate the No. 84 team to success,” said VP and General Manager Jay Frye. “AJ’s our guy and he’s a talented driver, but there’s a lot being asked of him. In order for him to be successful, we have to get this team pointed in the right direction. We hope we can do that with the help of a veteran driver.”

Skinner’s history with Red Bull Racing Team dates back to 2006 when he served as a test driver for the team. Skinner’s history with Allmendinger also dates back to 2006, when he mentored teammate Allmendinger during the rookie’s part-time ride with Bill Davis Racing NCTS team. Frye hopes with the help of Skinner, that RBRT will have the program turned around and the ride returned to Allmendinger in no time.

AJ Allmendinger, No. 84 Red Bull Driver: “Let’s not kid ourselves; I’m a racer and I want to be racing, but I get the big picture here and obviously we need to improve our program. Do I want to be out of the car? No. But, I know Skinner can help both me and my team. All I can say is he better be prepared for me to eat, drink, and sleep with him. Ok, well maybe not the sleeping part, but I’m ready to attach myself to him and learn everything I can.”

Mike Skinner, Substitute No. 84 Driver: “The first time I ever met AJ, I took an immediate liking to him. He’s not just a great personality; he also has a remarkable amount of talent. He took on a huge challenge jumping into stock cars last year, and I’m glad I can be the one to help him and his team figure out where the glitches are in their program. This is a positive thing for AJ as a learning experience, for the Red Bull Racing Team to get back on track, and for me to have the opportunity to help another Toyota team that has great equipment and potential.”

"We can't keep missing races. It's just not an option," said general manager Jay Frye, hired in January to turn around the second-year Red Bull program.
"We're looking at several different ideas, all aimed at figuring out what's wrong with that program, how we can fix it and how we can get that car into races. But it can't continue the way it is. It just can't."
One of the options being considered is pulling Allmendinger from the seat and replacing him with a veteran who can help assess the program and get the car into races. Among the available drivers are Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson, who are currently both pitching in to fill an open seat at Bill Davis Racing, and Sterling Marlin and David Stremme.
"We love A.J. and we're 100 percent committed to
him and want to develop him," Frye said. "This is not at all giving up on A.J. But we just can't do nothing and risk having a season like that team had last year."

source: SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/03/02/lasvegas.notebook.ap/index.html)

[weeflyonthewall]

Aren't we talking about an ex-open wheel racer that belongs running at Indy in 2008? At least we know he can drive open wheel wagons. Why wouldn't a discussion in this forum be appropriate?

[-Helix-]

AJ belongs in open wheel. He's just too stubborn to admit his mistake.

Mistake? He's making way more not qualifying in NASCAR than he ever would have WINNING in AOW.