AJ Out at RBRT in '09
Red Bull Racing Team and driver AJ Allmendinger have agreed to part ways for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Allmendinger is in his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season driving the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota, which currently sits 34th in owners’ points.
“AJ is a talented driver and we really enjoyed working with him,” said RBRT Vice President and General Manager Jay Frye. “He’s come a long way in just two years and we wish him nothing but the best.”
In an effort to continue the development of the No. 84 team, Red Bull athlete Mike Skinner will drive the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota during this week’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway open test. Skinner has been called upon by RBRT on multiple occasions since the team’s 2006 NSCS entrance, including a five-race stint in the No. 84 earlier in the 2008 season, as well as mentor duties for both Allmendinger and Red Bull development driver Scott Speed. Skinner will round off a three-car test for Red Bull Racing Team alongside Red Bull development driver Scott Speed in the No. 82, and Brian Vickers in the No. 83.
Red Bull Racing Team will make an announcement regarding the 2009 driver lineup at a later date.
posted by Bull Rider at 6:59 AM
33 Comments:
Good luck AJ. This happens way too much in sports, but at the end of the day its just business. You have earned the respect of a lot of fans and will be supported where ever you end up.
Haha - I loved the first sentence.
Best of luck to you, AJ. You're an awesome race car driver, and you'll have a great future in the series. I'll follow you wherever you go.
I've been a Red Bull NASCAR fan from the beginning, and I'm glad to see AJ out. It's tough, but it's a wise business move for both sides. Progress for the 84 team hasn't moved quickly enough, and you have to wonder if AJ fits the mold for what RBRT needs. Good luck AJ - bring on Scott Speed!
Now I'm going to have to buy an 84 hat!
Is this according to jayski? Haha, I kid.
Your loss, friend.
Sure wish they could've found the money to go to three cars. Two Red Bulls and a Jaegermeister car would've been sweet. Best of luck AJ.
Well at least this whole ordeal is behind us now and we can prepare for next season. I wish AJ the best of luck. I've always been a fan of the Ganassi team so AJ teaming up with JPM should be fun to watch.
I think Red Bull is making a big mistake. There is not a driver out there that has worked harder these last 2 years than A.J. He has such a wonderful personality and attitude, and is fun too watch on the track, as well as off. What more could you want! If something is wrong with the team, don't look at A.J. Even Skinner said that A.J. wasn't the problem. This has really changed my attitude about Red Bull organization. I really thought with Brian and A.J. they had a really good thing going.
Wow, didn't see this coming...lol
It's really not a laughing matter though. I am really disappointed that I will not be able to see what the 84 team would have done with AJ in 2009. I am convinced that they would be in contention for their second win, but this time in a points race.
I wonder if Red Bull still considers AJ one of their athletes, and are helping him find a ride, especially considering how long they waited to let him go.
I wonder what BV thinks, and how he will handle it when his contract is due for renewal?
Well, that's just crummy! AJ is a great guy and is turning out to be a great stock car driver! RBRT needs to see the big picture, the future of NASCAR teams are more than 2 cars! You guys blew it, sure, add Scott Speed, but do it in a 3rd car!
hmm...I wonder who'll be in the car? I feel bad for AJ, but Speed is the future. AJ won't be out of work long.
So whats this mean for Timmy Fedewa's Spotter is he moving along with AJ can someone please lemme know... Anywho i think this sucks for AJ so much talent having to move elsewhere. Good Look AJ i will be behind you 100%
This simply bites.
BV is good through 2009, so next year lets see how is deal goes. I feel horrible for AJ. It wasn't fair what he went through with Ganassi and Petty being the only cars left. I know AJ will be great where ever he goes and I will always be a fan!
Well, I guess I get to wear my 84 AJ shirt for one more week at least. Looks like he'll be in at Kansas.
I can see both sides of this issue. Red Bull thinks Scott is a better fit, and they might be right. I would have liked to see what AJ & the 84 team could do next year, though. I think things were headed in the right direction.
I don't care for the way Red Bull waited so long to make the decision. I'm still a fan of Brian, and I truly like Scott though - so I will cheer them on still. (Just not as much as AJ wherever he goes. LOL)
Wherever AJ goes, I will follow him! This really stinks. He was coming into his own at Red Bull Racing. It isn't fair. Yes, I know sports aren't fair, but still. Thank you AJ and Lynne for letting us be apart of your "Welcome to NASCAR".
Now, I wonder where AJ will go. He may not be heading to Ganassi. Jeremy Mayfield was testing the 41 today, and could possibly take over as Reed is leaving for GEM in 09.
I think Ganassi might be feeling Mayfield out to run the #40 fultime again, if 'dinger goes, he will be getting the #41 as he has more leverage then Mayfield-
(anyone could have Mayfield for a song right now) AJ has a little more demand to him...
Can all of the Aj fans now go to the Ganassi forum and post all of this so we can get back to talking about BV, SS, RBRT!
I wouldn't bet on Jeremy Mayfield getting that 41 ride, to be honest.
Why would any owner want someone who isn't afraid to go air dirty laundry? If I was an owner, I'd be afraid of Mayfield. I wouldn't want him on my team because...well, in my mind, he'd be a liability.
From the quotes on AJ's site, it sounds like RBRT was willing to string him along some more with there being a slim hope of finding sponsorship for a third car. I'm glad he decided that he needed something more concrete for next year. Still hate to see him leave Red Bull. AJ, Scott, and Brian would have been a pretty awesome trio.
To totally change of the subject...on Braun Racing website they have BV in the 32 this weekend, but on the entry list Kyle Busch is in the 32. Is BV racing on Saturday or no?
supposedly AJ wanted a long term deal with RBRT, but they couldn't commit that long.....If i was AJ I would have taken the 1 year contract and stayed at TRBR.
It was Aj's choice to leave. Red Bull offered him a 1-year extension (which I think was the right thing to do to see what he can do next year) and he turned it down because he got a 3-year offer from someone else. So everyone stop blaming RBRT!
KB in the Braun car this weekend. It was a last minute change...
brian, who is your source for that info?
What ever went on with Red Bull and Aj is not for any of us to know......I do know he is a great guy and will be missed! No one likes change but I guess we will have to accept it now. We at RBRT will have to cheer for Brian and Scott (and Mike) and hope we do even better.
AJ you will be missed but good luck where ever you end up! We will still watch your success.
It looks like the Red Bull cars were pretty good in evening practice. Scott was second fastest - that will be a little confidence booster for him I'm sure. Surprised to see Clauson and McCumbee up there, though.
Anon here is my source about half way down the page:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3604131
very interesting... I personally find it hard to believe that AJ was offered a year extension and passed it up!!
This is crap.
AJ has improved so much since he started. Everyone is giving up too easily.
...and I didn't even know about AJ till he started driving for RBRT. I got attached though. =[
Red Bull made a huge mistake in letting AJ go. The #84 will never be the same, regardless of who drives it. I'm not a fan of Scott Speed but do admit he is a talented driver. I will follow AJ to his new team and wish him continued success! He's worked hard the past two years and has earned his place in the Cup series. Best wishes AJ.
Sure I feel bad for A.J. I think he did show significant improvement from his 07 season and I think some of that is also due to the improvements in the RBRT as a whole. I like that they are making their chassies in house now. In a perfect world A.J. would get a good ride for 2009 and place third behind Brian and the driver of the 84. I don't know much about Scott Speed other than his last name is cool. IMHO (very humble) I would like to see Chad Mcumbee in the 84. I just think he's cool.
Good luck A.J.!! You & the team were heading in the right direction! I'll root for you where ever you land. Hope scott is their answer. Red Bull missed a great trio for 09.
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