Tue Sep 30 12:00:05 2008

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Skinner, Speed replace Allmendinger in No.84

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Mooresville, NC (Sports Network) - Despite finishing a career-best ninth last Sunday at Kansas, AJ Allmendinger is out at Red Bull Racing as Mike Skinner and Scott Speed will replace him in the No.84 Toyota for the remainder of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

The No.84 is currently 33rd in owner points.

"The schedule we put together is in the best interest of both Red Bull Racing Team and AJ's plans for the future," team vice president and general manager Jay Frye said. "Allowing Mike Skinner and Scott Speed to share the No.84 for the balance of the season helps our team continue developing our program for the future."

Skinner will drive the car this weekend at Talladega and next week at Charlotte. Skinner drove the car in five Sprint Cup races earlier this year as well as the open test last week at Charlotte.

Speed, a development driver for Red Bull, will be behind the wheel of the No. 82 Toyota at Charlotte on the same weekend he attempts to clinch the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship in Toledo, OH. He will then take over driving duties of the No.84 for the last five races of the season.

"I'm really looking forward to my first Sprint Cup race with Red Bull," Speed said. "I can't describe how much it means to walk into Red Bull Racing and feel support from everyone on the team. It's a huge step up the ladder and another step toward the goal of becoming a Sprint Cup champion for Red Bull. I know this team has the performance level that it takes to be competitive."

Speed will compete in Saturday's Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega. He won his first truck event in May at Dover.