Allmendinger moving to NASCAR, will drive #84 Toyota in Nextel Cup in 2007
Quote selected text Published October 23rd, 2006 in Main, NASCAR News
Official Announcement:
Team Red Bull formally announces a multi-year agreement with American open-wheel race car driver AJ Allmendinger to race the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota Camry for the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season.
AJ completes the 2007 driver line-up for Team Red Bull that already includes 23- year-old Brian Vickers, who’ll pilot the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry. Rick Viers, the veteran crew chief who guided the 24-year-old Californian through two successful NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Bill Davis Racing earlier this year, also joins Team Red Bull in the same role for 2007.
A former Toyota Atlantic champion and Champ Car rookie of the year, AJ currently stands second in the 2006 Champ Car World Series standings with five race wins. To speed up his acclimation to stock car racing, Bill Elliott has graciously agreed to step aside and let AJ take on driver duties in the Team Red Bull entry for the upcoming 2006 NEXTEL Cup races at Atlanta and Texas.
[Red Bull PR]
As reported for the past few weeks by SPEED, [Robin Miller is reporting that] American open wheel star A.J. Allmendinger is leaving Champ Car for NASCAR and it will be confirmed Tuesday at a Red Bull press conference.
“I spoke with A.J. and his agent tonight and they informed me of their decision,” said Gerald Forsythe, who hired Allmendinger after he was fired by RuSPORT four races into this season.
“I told him that I was disappointed, our team was disappointed and Champ Car fans will be disappointed but I wished him well.”
The 24-year-old Californian captured the first three races he drove for Forsythe at Portland, Cleveland and Toronto and added two more at Denver and Elkhart Lake to become the best story of the year in open wheel.
But, despite his instant success and rapport with his new team, Allmendinger’s ascention in Champ Car couldn’t overcome the financial lure from the new Red Bull/Toyota NASCAR entry.
Forsythe originally offered Allmendinger a five-year deal and agreed to amend it to three years but claimed to be miles apart in terms of money.
“They want three million dollars a year plus prize money and that’s just not realistic,” said Forsythe last week. “I want A.J. and Champ Car wants A.J. but not at that price.”
It’s believed A.J. Foyt’s namesake will run the full Craftsman Truck schedule in 2007 with an eye to move up to Nextel Cup in 2008. He’s been under a personal service contract with Red Bull the past few years and made a very favorable impression on the Toyota brass during his first two truck starts.
- Other teams looking at Allmendinger?
- Allmendinger has no regrets moving to NASCAR
- Allmendinger to enter truck race in Atlanta
- Reports: A.J. Allmendinger to leave Champ Car, will sign with Toyota in NASCAR
- Webber Fuels Briatore Speculation
What a sellout. I hope he sucks
Sellout? We’re you at the indoctrination ceremony for A.J. to be a lifelong poster boy for Champ Car? Remember, he already was fired this year by his supposed mentor. Great loyalty that was for one of the people who helped reclaim Champ Car from the ashes.
Clearly you have no exposure to racing other than a spectator, which is good for you, because the underbelly of the sport is full of snakes and scorpions. There is no loyalty, and although most of us would love to see A.J. stay in Champ Car, the guy paid his dues through the ladder system all on his own. If Champ Car has sunk so low that they can’t field competitive offers for their star drivers, it’s not young A.J.’s fault. He has an opportunity to put some real money away and not many people would refuse that, including you, Joe.
Next time someone offers to triple your salary if you move to a competitor, be sure to let the whole world know you decided to stay for the principle.
The “sellout” was by Champ Car! Gestapo said it…if you want loyalty, then get your **** in order and pay the guy what he is worth!!