Not a Minute too Late…..

Red Bull Racing has decided to temporarly replace A.J. Allmendinger with Mike Skinner in the #84 Toyota Camry. Jay Frye the teams V.P. and General Mgr. said “AJ’s our guy and he’s a talented driver, but there’s a lot being asked of him. In order for him to be successful, we have to get this team pointed in the right direction. We hope we can do that with the help of a veteran driver.” Mike Skinner’s history with Red Bull Racing Team dates back to 2006 when he served as a test driver for the team. Skinner’s history with Allmendinger also dates back to 2006, when he mentored teammate Allmendinger during the rookie’s part-time ride with Bill Davis Racing NCTS team. Frye hopes with the help of Skinner, that RBRT will have the program turned around and the ride returned to Allmendinger in no time. AJ Allmendinger, #84 Red Bull Driver said: “Let’s not kid ourselves; I’m a racer and I want to be racing, but I get the big picture here and obviously we need to improve our program. Do I want to be out of the car? No. But, I know Skinner can help both me and my team. All I can say is he better be prepared for me to eat, drink, and sleep with him. Ok, well maybe not the sleeping part, but I’m ready to attach myself to him and learn everything I can.” Substitute #84 Driver and Bill Davis Racing- Truck Series Driver Mike Skinner said “The first time I ever met AJ, I took an immediate liking to him. He’s not just a great personality; he also has a remarkable amount of talent. He took on a huge challenge jumping into stock cars last year, and I’m glad I can be the one to help him and his team figure out where the glitches are in their program. This is a positive thing for AJ as a learning experience, for the Red Bull Racing Team to get back on track, and for me to have the opportunity to help another Toyota team that has great equipment and potential.” said Skinner.

This just might help the team Mike Skinner over the last 3 or 4 years has been the guy teams call on when their program gets in trouble, Mike is a great qualifyer he’s probably one of the only guys who has repeatedly stepped into a car with little or no seat time and managed to get the car in the show while pointing out the problem spots so the team can make instant changes that are seen on the track before the end of the weekend. I truly beleive they made the right decision and are going with the right driver. It would appear when a team hires a temporary driver the only thing that driver is concerned with is himself and his next ride. But what you get with Mike Skinner is dedication, knowledge, and loyalty he’s not concerned with fame and fortune his concern is doing a good job and helping the team. Mike Skinner is old school racer and he knows if the teams is taken care of then the driver will be but the team has to come first and everything else will fall into place.