One In, One Out at Vegas
NASCAR’s new “knockout” qualifying format kept one Red Bull Toyota in Las Vegas for the weekend and sent the other home early.
Friday was the first time all of the go-or-go-home cars qualified at the end of the session, and it was Brian Vickers’ No. 83 earning the final spot available on speed with a lap at 179.826 mph. Vickers timed in 23rd overall but will start 43rd in Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400 because the past champion's provisional was not used.
Teammate and No. 84 driver AJ Allmendinger wasn’t so lucky. He was the first driver to miss the cut despite qualifying 33rd with a lap at 178.026 mph.
With finishes of 12th and 11th in the season’s first two races, the No. 83 sits 11th in the always-critical car owner standings. But qualifying, as usual, was gut-wrenching, and it’ll be that way until the No. 83 works its way into the top 35 come the sixth race at Martinsville.
“It’s definitely still agonizing until you’re locked in,” Vickers said. “It doesn’t really matter where you’re in the points.”
Friday was the first time all of the go-or-go-home cars qualified at the end of the session, and it was Brian Vickers’ No. 83 earning the final spot available on speed with a lap at 179.826 mph. Vickers timed in 23rd overall but will start 43rd in Sunday’s UAW-Dodge 400 because the past champion's provisional was not used.
Teammate and No. 84 driver AJ Allmendinger wasn’t so lucky. He was the first driver to miss the cut despite qualifying 33rd with a lap at 178.026 mph.
With finishes of 12th and 11th in the season’s first two races, the No. 83 sits 11th in the always-critical car owner standings. But qualifying, as usual, was gut-wrenching, and it’ll be that way until the No. 83 works its way into the top 35 come the sixth race at Martinsville.
“It’s definitely still agonizing until you’re locked in,” Vickers said. “It doesn’t really matter where you’re in the points.”
posted by Bull Rider at 6:22 PM
15 Comments:
Is it me, or is the "guys with points are already in" system ridiculous? It seems to me that the fastest cars should make the field and that's that. AJ's got a better car than, what, eight or nine drivers in the race? Crazy.
Great job getting in BV! Crappy that they're sending you to the back but you came from the back last week and you can do it again! Keep the momentum going! You'll get that top 35! :)
WE BELIEVE!!!
Hate this for AJ and 84 team...they work so hard...Keep it up guyz you'll get it!
Two more races to go and hopefully the 83 will be locked in! I can’t believe they made it by the skin of their teeth. Thank the good LORD above!!!! Good luck tomorrow and Sunday, we need a good solid finish!
Glad to see 1 Red Bull Racing Camry in the race. Congratulations BV and the 83 team. 2 races to go and we'll be locked in the Top 35. I can't wait! You guys deserve it. Good luck in Vegas.
WE BELIEVE!
2 more of this gut wrenching go or go home deals and Vickers will be in the top 35, and in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. I feel so bad for the 84 screwed again :(
AJ has been the "next car in line all 3 times" and BV has been the last car in 3 times. think about it, BV as the last car in his twin, the last car on points to get into Cali and just beat AJ today. Also, I don't care what anyone says, the luck of the draw still matters... When Patrick Carpantier the last car when to qual it was in "complete shade" Aj only had shade in turn 1... Just bad luck. Luckily, after the first 5 races BV will be in the top 35 and AJ will have to only beat field fillers like Kyle Petty-Kurt Busch will be in the top 35 and Dale Jarrett will be retired, and there will be no more Past champions provisionals, thus 8 openings instead of 7. Now AJ and the boys just need to keep thier head up and make the next 3 or 4 in a row and try to get himself in the top 35, and these boys won't have to worry anymore...
GO TRB!!!!!
Thrilled to see BV in the race, but this really sucks for AJ. I really hope they get some luck on their side soon...
I just finished the article on the NASCAR website about Jay Frye and what he brings to the Reb Bull Racing Team. I'm impressed and very happy we've got him on our side. My mindset is if the teams do everything they need to do to run well, eventually not only will both teams be in the top 35, but we'll have two Red Bulls up front to cheer for. I'm so glad BV made it into the Vegas race, but was a little surprised he barely made the field. If Bill Elliot had been in the #21 instead of Sauter, both Red Bull teams would have gone home. So, I remain cautiously optimistic about where the teams are right now - but I will continue to be a bucket of nerves on qualifying day until we are secured to start races via the top 35. I think AJ and the 84 crew will rebound from this rough start and begin to shine by mid-point of the season. The teams are making all the right noises and doing most of the right things. Better results will come in time. Go get 'em boys!
Great article!!!
As a fan I sensed a lack of respect from the media, drivers and NASCAR. "My biggest goal for the company is respect," Frye said.
Performance on the track is when RBRT will get that respect and they are definitely on their way. BV is a great driver, just look at his stats from last year when he made races.
I also agree with Frye about not focusing on being in the top 35 (though on qualifying day it’s hard not to) and to set the goal higher and go for wins and the championship.
However a certain amount of luck and momentum come into play. Unfortunately the bad outcome in Daytona and bad luck in Fontana have really pulled the 84 team down. It looks like both teams need to be looking at the 11/2 mile tracks and what they can do to improve. (Go ask shrub) I too was surprised that BV barely made the race. With all this said I see good things coming for RBRT. Keep up the good work Mr. Frye! We’ll be pulling for you and the 83team this weekend!
Qualifying was way too intense for me. The majority of the rules make no sense but adds extra nerves to the entire situation. I'm glad that Brian made it in! Hopefully in a couple of weeks we can breathe a little bit better.
AJ and the 84 team---I know this is frusturating and confusing. Your time is coming. Hang in there!
Here a link to another good article about Frye and Vickers from Yahoo Sports.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=Ar2kg_Vh56Tp2m3mZGYvQqTov7YF?slug=jh-vickers022908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Vickers rolling, but still sweating out qualifying every week
http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=Av5S2zjUeyE_uTadGdSOHYRE4cIF?slug=ap-nascar-lasvegas&prov=ap&type=lgns
Another article about RBRT and Vickers.
I've stated before that I do not like the current qualifying system in NASCAR--it should be the top 43 on time regardless of what you did the previous year or week--my opinion only.
That being said I also don't think all is right that TRB isn't qualifying at the top of those outside the 35. Given the quality of their sponsorship and the drivers it should be a given that TRB would be the top qualifiers of their group, week in and week out. There shouldn't be any week in which one car goes home.
Only two more weeks of last year's points--maybe then the tide will change.
If Redbull is going to get rid of Allmendinger. Instead of getting Skinner or Benson, Ward Burton would be a much better choice. He has a huge fan base and he won the Daytona 500!! Heck I would buy a case of Redbull if they would hire him.
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