A.J. Allmendinger will drive the new #84 Red Bull Toyota Camry for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. That announcement was made earlier today by Team Red Bull, and completes a 2007 driver line-up that includes Brian Vickers in the #83 Red Bull Camry.Rick Viers, the crewchief who guided Allmendinger through two impressive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series outings with Bill Davis Racing earlier this year, has left BRD to serve as Allmendinger’s crewchief at Team Red Bull.
Appearing on Sirius Speedway Tuesday, Allmendinger talked about his reasons for changing series, saying, “The money is nice, I'm not going to deny it," he said. "But to me, the big deal was the opportunity to race for Red Bull. This team is going to give me everything I need to compete and race for championships. I know it's going to be tough, but I'm really excited about this challenge in my racing career. "
Team Red Bull Vice President and General Manager Marty Gaunt said, “A.J. has the talent, guts and ambition to be successful in any form of motorsports. He has proven to be one of America’s top young race car drivers, and we are confident he can accomplish the same in stock car racing over time.”
Well that sucks!!! Long live Champ Car!!!
ReplyDeleteThat thud I just heard was Jason from CA hitting the floor. Sorry guy!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Dave: Love your show but can't call through from Canada. A few bones to pick with you about this allmendinger thing. First. AJ was not the first string with Forsythe. He already has his main man in PT , where most of the bucks are likely going. Second, AJ though a good performance this year, still in only his second year at champ car I believe. so relatively new. Third Red Bull obviously wants to cash in with the new Toyota team and make a big splash and have lots of excitement by bringing AJ to a program that is brand new, hence they will spend extra to help increase the excitement. Third, Did you not say just a few weeks ago about a midpack guy making 400k in the first year,500k in the seconbd, and 650k in the third. So here we have an established mid pack guy making 500k plus bonuses. Obviously even by this standard AJ is an anomally at 3M. Fourthly if you really want to talk open wheel salary lets not forget the other side of the pond. What was that, that KIMI turned down 80+ million for 3 years. Hmm lets see now, 9 million or 83 million. my point really is that AJ has been given an oppurtunity and has taken it. But lets be honest this is far from the norm even in NASCAR terms. Sure lots of the big guys amke lots of bucks. but 3M is not the bottom of the barrel by a long shot.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to figure this whole NASCAR thing out. In some ways its' exciting especially the chase. But in other ways it seems like awfull dissappointing when Junior runs up front and gets spun out on the last half lap. Somehow doesn't seem fair. Though it is cool to have at least 8 guys still vying for top dog with 4 races left.
Have a great one and I really enjoy the show.
Hey Dave,
ReplyDeleteYou guys might as well make the switch to a full time NASCAR talk show and drop any discussion of the other forms of motorsports. Although some of the comments you guys made today were justified, the overall vilification of open wheel racing in North America has made it clear that Sirius Speedway really only cares about what's happening in the world of "stock" cars.
Change the name of the show to reflect its focus - "The Sirius NASCAR Love-In" perhpas?
Hopefully, we open-wheel race fans will be given a radio voice that knows, and more importantly, cares about the state of Champ Car and the IRL, and is willing to discuss it without the requisite verbal put-downs.
While I am glad to see AJ in cup, I am curious as to why there was so much discussion about Montoya going through an approval process (much like Ragan) for Daytona, but there has been no mention of Allmendinger having to go through this. Certainly, Montoya has much more driving experience, so I would think if he has to prove himself, so does AJ.
ReplyDeleteRobin Miller has been saying for a few months this was likely to happen.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad for open wheel fans, because it robs them of a great (and in Champ Car the only) American driving star.
If Forsythe's deep pockets can't keep the hottest open wheel wheel driver in the Champ car series, then there is nothing to keep the other talented drivers coming up the open wheel ranks from going to NASCAR as well.