Four Wheels, Then Two
Friday, he’ll visit the new drag strip outside Charlotte, N.C. Next he’ll race Saturday at the tiny track in Salem, Ind. And then Scott Speed’s off to the Brickyard for Sunday’s inaugural running of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. That’s quite a weekend of motorsports — drag racing, stock car racing and MotoGP all rolled into three days.“MotoGP is awesome,” Scott said. “I haven’t been in a few years since Jerez (Spain), so I am very excited about going to Indy this weekend. I have a ton of respect for the guys that ride those bikes. They are ridiculously fast and somewhat crazy if you ask me. Red Bull’s Nicky Hayden (see pic above) is a badass, so it’s fun to root him on. I would love to have had talent on two wheels other than four, but I don’t so all I can do is watch.”
Stay tuned to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP this Sunday, Sept 14 when Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the first motorcycle race at the facility since 1909. Good luck to all the Red Bull riders!
posted by Wise Little Portraits at 5:58 AM
14 Comments:
Jayski officially has AJ listed as a potential replacement to the #41-this is 1 day after JP Montoya says that Ganassi is going to be ok- I dunno what to think, I obviously want AJ at RBR- but If he isn't wanted here, at least the #41 is locked in next season...
Also, if he doesnt sign, it might be productive to get AJ in the car ASAP. Here is why...
First- It has already been stated that it is extremely sour between Reed Sorenson and Ganassi, and Reed wants to get a fresh start with GEM.
Secondly- Im sure that the brass at RBRT who are so eager to watch Scott Speed would salivate at the chance to give him the 84 right away... I mean that is what they want right?? Sure seems like it the way that they gush over Speed, makes me sick... but I digress...
Either way, I think AJ has gotten the complete shaft here, and all that personal sacrifice and team chemistry that has been made with his team will be for nothing...
Who knows maybe Ganassi's team is on the rise and AJ and JPM can be a showcase team of former open wheel guys that can succeed. I hope so anyway...
First of all, nothing at Jayski is official.
I read the site but that is the extent of it. Jayski pretty much picks up his news and rumors from other media outlets.
It says he is a candidate - and why wouldnt he be. Im sure they would love to have him replace Reed. AJ also said there were alot of other good teams inquiring but he wanted to stay at RB. He does deserve his ride, he has earned it. But if RB doesnt want him, Ganassi would be a fool to pass him up. Who knows - maybe he can bring that team back to life like he did with Forsythe in Champ Car!
Anon 1- I understand that Jayski isn't official, but it's the first time that I saw that AJ was mentioned to the #41 other than speculation on this board. And I look for news on AJ's potential move at least 3 times a day!
Welp, so long TRB. Im following AJ to the 41 team. Time for AJ to show redbull the middle finger and run circles around Scott and Brian in 09
Allmendinger talks about his future: from #84-A.J. Allmendinger's column at Yahoo: "As far as my contract situation for next year, there’s no new news. Hopefully I’ll know something next week. But not knowing anything is hard. It’s stressful. You know, I just want an answer. Am I going to be back with Red Bull next year, yes or no? Of course I’d like it to be yes and they’d like me to stay and we have a great rest of the season and prepare for 2009. I love everybody at the shop and it’s hard because they’re asking me questions. They want to know what’s up, and I don’t have an answer for them. I mean, I really don’t have an answer. I’ve had conversations with other teams since August – and there were some good rides available – but I truly believe we have something here with Red Bull, so I don’t want to leave. We’ve been through a lot together as a team and I’ve been through a lot just to learn. I’ve had people tell me, ‘You suck. You shouldn’t be here,’ and I’ve had other people say, ‘Keep working. We know you got the talent.’ And I’ve fought through all that and in my opinion I think I deserve to be in the car. But right now, realistically, I think it’s about 50-50 at best that I’ll be back at Red Bull next year.
How could you not want this guy back?
I go where AJ goes.
Ditto that! If Red Bull gets rid of him, they are making a huge mistake. I have no doubts that he will land on his feet, and I would follow him to the ends of the earth. (Which in my opinion Ganassi pretty much is.)
OK-
Here is what I don't understand- Everyone is trashing Ganassi- I am going to defend this team right now-
Firstly, Dodge has exactly "0" teams in the chase. That leads me to believe that Dodge's sprint cup package isn't up to snuff... Not just Ganassi- all of them...
Secondly, JPM, is in the top 25 in points, not glorious, but by no means dog-meat, Sorenson, had a great Daytona Speedweeks, then had some bad luck, then had a bad attitude... Also, Reed cannot race road courses and really is a fringe talent in my opinion- The only tracks AJ has really strugggled with are plate tracks and that is from a lack of making those races. He has run up front on RC's, at Pocono, done well at New Hampshire, seems to do the cookie-cutters and 2 milers pretty well. I tihk he is more talented than Sorenson by quite a bit. Ganassi team is still better than the following teams- Petty, DEI (except Truex), about even with Yates....
Thirdly, the way the #40 had to shut down was blown way out of proportion. Ganassi was foolesh to think that Franchitti would bring millions of dollars of sponsorship with him in such a short amount of time. The team was under-funded, and Franchitti struggled like all rookies do. I don't think it was necessary to close the team however- The lack of Go or Go home cars assures Dario would've made the field 90% of the time-thus getting more exposure, more experience, more chances to make the team worth racing for.
If AJ were to go to the #41 it will not be a disaster. Here is why.
#1 Target. Chip has a loooong standing relationship with Target and has won them championships and Indy 500's with each other, they are right now the strongest sponsor that Ganassi has-
#2 that car is locked into the top 35 as of right now- I tihnk AJ would be at least a top 20 driver most weeks in this ride.
The only thing that troubles me is the manufacturer (Dodge) Ganassi seems cutting edge (hiring open wheel guys) he seems more the Toyota type to me, and if it were my team I would seriously consider a switch to Toyota...
lotta AJ lovers here, man you people need to get over it. Drivers in NASCAR switch teams all the time, if redbull thinks letting AJ go would best benefit them than so be it. AJ will be fine, theres plenty of teams out there for him. Im a Redbull Racing fan so I stay with redbull and whatever they choose. Its not the end of the world, both AJ and Redbull will prosper either way. Good luck Redbull this weekend with both NASCAR and Formula 1.
When did this become the CGR blog?
I hope that everyone knows that AJ has been with Red Bull just as long as Scott Speed. They both did the Red Bull driver search for F1 until AJ decided to stay in the US with Barber Dodge, and Toyota Atlantics. AJ wore a Red Bull helmet throughout Champ Car. AJ's done everything this team has asked of him, and more. He has more than earned his seat, he's earned everyone's respect around NASCAR. He's just reached a point where he's ready to shine. I don't understand why the team is debating starting over with a driver that has less experience...much like AJ when he first started in NASCAR. It just makes no sense. AJ will be a fan favorite no matter what.
First off, get your facts right. Scott speed won the F1 driver search. AJ got into the top 12, but no further. Scott Speed was chosen as the best driver and sent to Europe. Have you ever looked at AJ's record in Champ Car? Not that great! SS has taken the more difficult route and as far as I'm concerned done a much better job, which is why Red Bull want him in the cup car asap. I have nothing against AJ, but there is a reason he's fighting for 35th spot. I hope they run 3 cars next year so you can see SS out perform him out of the gate in the same equipment.
AJ never competed in the F1 drivers search - he had already signed with Rusport. So get your facts straight. And when SS gets into a cup car thats competitive it will be because BV and AJ got them that way!!!
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