VICTORY — AT LAST!
AJ Allmendinger never needed the go-for-broke attitude in the Sprint Showdown. The No. 84 Red Bull Toyota was that good and so, too, was the driver.
With a berth into Saturday night’s All-Star Race on the line, AJ was at his best. He fought double-file restarts and led the final 19 laps of the second 20-lap segment in earning Red Bull Racing Team’s first victory of any kind at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level.
“I feel like I won the Daytona 500,” AJ, still sweating, told reporters. “Nobody understands how much this means to me after what we went through as a team. These guys — everybody at Red Bull Racing Team and Toyota — they’ve stuck behind me.”
The Red Bull Toyotas dominated the Showdown. AJ’s No. 84, after starting fourth, led 21 laps and maintained decisive track position when opting not to pit between segments. Brian Vickers’ No. 83 paced the other 19 laps before finishing fourth.
AJ’s voice erupted on the radio as the checkered flag waved, and his teammates poured onto pit road in celebration. Some chased AJ to his car and the winner’s circle. Others began preparing for the All-Star Race.
Through a flurry of photographs, answering questions about hard-charging second-place finisher Sam Hornish Jr. and a sprint to driver introductions, somehow all AJ wanted to know is if his hat looked OK.
“Man, I wanted to win,” he said. “I thought if (Hornish) gets there and gets under you don’t be stupid and try to race him hard and possibly wreck. But don’t just give in to him. He was really cool and could have forced the issue.”
The All-Star Race was a bonus. AJ finished 17th in an uneventful, caution-free race. But bigger things were at stake. Like next week’s 600-miler. The LMS notebook is a little heavier now that the No. 84 has seen day and night in the month of May.
“We definitely learned a lot about what the race track might do,” AJ said. “We’ll assess what we learned and make those adjustments coming back for the 600. It all starts again, got to qualify to get in the show. It’s a long race.”
AJ’s victory capped off quite a week for Red Bull Racing Team. On Thursday, the No. 83 Bull Crew claimed the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge.
posted by Bull Rider at 6:47 AM
10 Comments:
AJ, so proud of you! I knew you and the 84 team would bring us the first Red Bull victory. Keep digging. Congrats to you and the team and I guess Misty is good luck!
An awesome job by everybody at TRB. It was awesome to be there! I only wish there was a caution at the end of the showdown so that Brian would have gotten a little more time to catch up because that car was dominant. It was so much fun to be cheering them on to their first victory! I only wish I could come down on Friday to the fan day at the shop to celebrate!
TRB,
Having the Red Bull cars up front is AMAZING. Please make it happen more.
--Porsche Hamster
Concrats to A.J. it was great seeing the sliver bull up in front! Quick question though, i am looking for either a A.J. or B.V. 2008 pit cap, there isnt any on nascar.com. Does anyone know where i can get one online before i go to the bristol race or do i need to stop at the hauler and get one while im there?
amzy,
Try puma.com and serch Red Bull and u can find some Red Bull 2008 merchandise.
Another win by BV wasted away, I'm very pround of the 83 team, U guys had the field covered last night. Great job and lets hope the 600 looks this way also.
Paul
I proudly sport the #84 on my Toyo! Great week RBR, Pit Crew Challenge and terrific showing in the All Star by both teams. Hard work is starting to pay off, congratulations on the tremendous improvement.
Congrats to the 84.... It was still a great week for TRB.... With the 83 gettin 2008 Pit Crew Champs...
Here's to Top 5's and a win at the Coke 600 :) Next week... Go Get em' Guys
hey congrats, good luck to your career....
Yeah for AJ! What a shining example of good things happening to good people.
Congratulations!!!
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