Two Days of Testing
Brian Vickers has slipped, slid and saved it around Lowe’s Motor Speedway in nine Sprint Cup races. Mike Skinner’s total (15) nearly doubles that.
Scott Speed, however, has tackled the 1.5-mile track only once — and that start came in a Craftsman Truck, not in NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow and certainly not against Cup’s caliber of talent.
“I’m playing catch-up here,” Speed said Tuesday. “There’s absolutely no substitute for experience. In a series like this, where everyone’s got so much of it and you’re coming in with so little, every week I’m out racing or driving, it’s really quite helpful.”
The ARCA points leader and part-time trucker is testing the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota for two days. He was second fastest in Tuesday’s evening session, turning a lap at 184.881 mph. Mike Skinner, in the No. 84, and Brian Vickers’ No. 83 were 13th and 16th, respectively, under the lights, which comes close to the conditions cars will encounter in the Oct. 11 Bank of America 500.
“This car moves around a lot less,” Speed said. “Everything is done right on these things. The steering box, the pedal box — everything is really precise. It makes it actually easier for me to feel the car and the changes. So far, it’s been an easy transition.”
Testing continues today, with action running from 1-9 p.m. ET and a break from 5-6.
Tuesday's speeds
Afternoon
18. Mike Skinner (84), 182.162 mph
24. Scott Speed (82), 179.659 mph
28. Brian Vickers (83), 179.485 mph
Fastest: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 182.642 mph
Evening
2. Scott Speed (82), 184.881 mph
13. Mike Skinner (84), 182.871 mph
16. Brian Vickers (83), 182.741 mph
Fastest: Greg Biffle, 185.605 mph
Wednesday's speeds
Afternoon
5. Brian Vickers (83), 180.947 mph
14. Scott Speed (82), 180.270 mph
40. Mike Skinner (84), 178.436 mph
Fastest: Greg Biffle, 181.928 mph
Evening
2. Scott Speed (82), 186.638 mph
8. Mike Skinner (84), 185.433 mph
25. Brian Vickers (83), 182.896 mph
Fastest: Jeff Gordon, 187.233 mph
posted by Bull Rider at 8:41 AM
9 Comments:
As a fan from the very beginning, I have not felt more comfortable or optimistic about the future of RBRT than I do today.
Speed brings what RBRT needs and will complement BV very well. He has to be one of the brightest, fastest learners in the sport. It's a great time to be a fan of Red Bull Racing!
I guess we all have to be ready for change....looks like we are in for a good one! (Scott)
Keep up the good test speeds and lets move on!
AJ will be missed but not far away, we'll keep our eyes on him also. (after all he was part of the start up of RB)
Good Luck this weekend, ready for a win!
There's a story about SS on nascar.com right now.
I think Speed will finally bring an image to nascar to help mainstream the sport even more. His development through the truck and ARCA ranks has certainly prepared him for a ride on the Cup circuit. Good Luck and God Speed!
Some test speeds are still looking good!
Good luck this weekend. With all the questions behind us, this team will be one to watch.
Go Red Bull We Believe!
Looks like BV will be signing early Sunday morning. Bobby Labonte and Kurt Busch are in south KC tonight and all the ford drivers (Roush and Yates) are signing tomorrow for free at Kansas Speedway around 6:00 PM if anyone is interested in that. I will be proudly sporting my 83 gear all weekend, so if you're there and you see me - ya better shoot me a hello.
Looks like the Bulls were pretty good in evening practices, which will hopefully translate to a good race in a couple weeks. And hopefully no more tire problems for Brian.
I wish they would come out with a schedule for who will be in the 84, but I know it will probably just go week to week depending on the points situation and such.
Doesn't NASCAR have to approve drivers for the superspeedways? I would think Scott has enough experience with his ARCA starts to run Talladega if they decide to, but I'm not sure the other 42 drivers would be willing to work with him in the draft enough for him to have a good race.
Last year NASCAR approved Jacques Villeneuve for Talladega. Scott has more stock car experience than Villeneuve today.
The testing speedchart looks good for RBRT, especially in the evening. But it's what the team learns from testing that is most important. Charlotte owes BV 3 victories (2005 May; multi-car wreck after leading most laps, 2007 May; powersteering issue, 2008 May; lose tire).
This has to be the turn-around week for the #83 team.
I bet Skinner will be in the #84 at Dega. BV owns Charlotte!!!
Kansas should be good to Brian.
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