Match Made In Thunder Valley

The first time Scott Speed ever saw Bristol Motor Speedway he qualified on the pole and finished third in last August’s Camping World Truck race.

The second time, in Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at .533-mile Bristol, Speed finished eighth in the No. 99 Red Bull Toyota. After qualifying 19th, he ran in the top 15 throughout the day before moving into the top 10 as the laps wound down.

“I had a great car all day and really all weekend,” Speed said. “I didn’t qualify the car very well and we had to start toward the back of the field, so that just compounded the deal. To start back in 19th and make it up to eighth today is tough and I am really happy with that. I am always fast when I come over here to run with these guys and I think the chemistry we have is really good. I look forward to days like this at the track.”

The Bristol finish backed up a strong weekend at Las Vegas, where Speed made his Nationwide Series debut with Michael Waltrip Racing. Speed took the pole with a track record qualifying lap before getting caught up in an accident early in the race.