Red Bull Racing Releases A.J. Allmendinger

Red Bull Racing has recently exhibited an unappealing trait in some NASCAR Sprint Cup owners. It was announced that Scott Speed and Mike Skinner would replace A.J. Allmendinger in the 84 Toyota for the remainder of the season- this coming two days following a ninth place effort by Allmendinger at Kansas.

Allmendinger a Lame Duck Driver

Allmendinger already knew that he was a lame duck driver before the Sprint Cup Series hit the track at Kansas Speedway, but that is not the point. Allmendinger has finally begun to display progression in stock car’s racing elite division. Red Bull Racing took a chance when they signed the former Champ Car winner in 2006, as he had limited experience, if any in stock cars.

His rookie season in 2007 was nothing short of disastrous, as he missed 19 of 36 races. However, that was to be expected. Only a naïve person would expect Allmendinger, a true rookie in NASCAR, to jump into a car fielded by a rookie team with a brand new manufacturer, and be competitive. However, he has shown significant strides in his sophomore season.

Skinner Replaces Allmendinger

Red Bull Racing officials replaced Allmendinger with veteran Mike Skinner at the beginning of the season, and that seemed to put things into perspective for the young driver. When Allmendinger returned to the seat of the Red Bull Toyota, his performance gradually improved. He scored his first top ten of the season at Indianapolis, and then ended his brief tenure with Red Bull Racing at Kansas with a solid ninth place showing.

Allmendinger’s progression was coming along. Perhaps both he and Red Bull officials will be left wondering what might have been. Nevertheless, Red Bull Racing is, at the moment, more committed to former Formula One star Scott Speed, as he is expected to driver the 84 Toyota in 2009. Therefore, Red Bull Racing must once again watch another raw driver develop. Meanwhile, Allmendinger’s future is up in the air.

Allmendinger to Chip Ganassi

It is likely that Allmendinger will replace Reed Sorenson in the Target Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing. Allmendinger competed in several Nationwide Series events for Ganassi in 2007, which provided the rookie vital seat time. Ganassi tends to lean towards the open wheel veterans, so he has an edge there.

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has an open seat now that Paul Menard opted to take his services, and sponsor, to Yates Racing. DEI is probably a more competitive organization than Ganassi, but there is no sponsor lined up for the 15 car.

That is a fault among certain NASCAR Sprint Cup owners. They rush a driver into the most pressure-packed series in the universe, and then cut them loose when either they do not develop fast enough, or something better comes along. Recall 2001, Ray Evernham’s former protégé, Casey Atwood, struggled throughout most of his rookie season, but there was perceptible progress towards the end of the season. Atwood won a pole and led laps at Phoenix, and then almost won at Homestead a week later. It was not enough as Evernham replaced him with veteran Jeremy Mayfield.

Hopefully, Allmendinger will fair better than Atwood.

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