From Ovals to the Diamond

Call it “The House That Ruth Built” or simply “The Stadium.” Either way, Red Bull Racing Team lived a piece of history Thursday.

On the way to Pocono Raceway, Brian Vickers, AJ Allmendinger and the two road crews took a detour to the Bronx for the New York Yankees-Toronto Blue Jays game at Yankee Stadium — arguably the most famous sports venue in the United States.

This season is the last for the ballpark, built in 1923, that has seen the Yankees clinch 16 World Series titles there. The new Yankee Stadium opens in 2009.

It was quite an afternoon. The team visited Monument Park behind the centerfield wall, had a block of seats right behind home plate and met Yankees trainer Gene Monahan, who was wearing a RBRT hat when the team arrived. They even got a glimpse of Jason Giambi, who belted a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Yankees’ a 9-8 victory.

The fun was over at the point. Waiting was a 3.5-hour bus ride to Pocono.

Speaking of Pocono, Brian and AJ take to the 2.5-mile track for two practices today (10 and 11:20 a.m. ET) before Sunday’s Sprint Cup race. AJ’s No. 84 starts eighth, Brian’s No. 83 15th in the Pocono 500.

And don’t forget that Scott Speed, who finished 26th in Friday’s Craftsman Truck race at Texas, leads the ARCA field to the green flag for today’s race (1 p.m.).