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Q. Skinner: How did you feel about the "give and take" driving style racing with your competitors at Martinsville Speedway?
A. Speed: I got abused out there for sure! I think I was giving a lot more than I was taking, just trying to figure out what I was doing. I'm used to driving Formula cars, where if you touch another car, something's going to break. It took me awhile to be okay with the fact that other trucks can run into me and I can run into them - and nothing breaks - you're still out there racing! This is a completely new world for me.
Q. Skinner: You've now raced the Truck on a short track where paybacks are a regular occurrence, and also a high speed track (Atlanta), where paybacks aren't appropriate. How does your racing style differ when you can't hand out paybacks?
A. Speed: I still haven't run into anyone on purpose. I'm not really a payback type of racer. I don't carry grudges and I'm not emotional out on the track ˆ I'm more methodical. I'm also here to learn and that means running as many laps as possible during a race. Why damage my car on purpose? I don't see myself pushing someone completely out of the way unless they do something to completely jack me over. No one is on my hit list that bad yet!
Q. Skinner: How hard was it to be patient during this race and wait for the competitor in front of you to make a mistake, so that you could get by him?
A. Speed: I'm a pretty patient racer, so it wasn't hard for me at all. The thinking and planning part of racing comes pretty easy for me. What was interesting though, was when you (Skinner) came through the field and I moved over to give you room to pass. You stuck two fingers out the window net to say "thanks buddy." That's when I realized my grip on the steering wheel was way too tight! I loosened up right after that!
Q. Skinner: How do you feel racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is going to prepare you to eventually go Sprint Cup racing?
A. Speed: I feel like I can't get a more direct comparison than racing in the Truck Series for two reasons. One, the Truck handles so much like the Cup car, that you can't get a better "test run" of a Cup car than that. Two, there are some great Cup drivers racing in the Truck Series, so I get to learn what its like to race against them, as well as some of the Truck Series veterans that are the best in their business.
NASCAR CTS MARTINSVILLE
March 29, 2008 |
| FIN |
ST |
CAR |
DRIVER |
PTS/BNS |
LAPS |
STATUS |
WINNINGS |
| 10 |
17 |
46 |
Scott Speed |
134/0 |
253 |
Running |
11,835 |
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Red Bull Driver Scott Speed To Drive No. 24 BDR NCTS Entry
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"This is a great opportunity for me to work closely with (Mike) Skinner while I get my feet wet in the Truck Series. He knows what it takes to run well and win races, and that's a hell of a mentor for me to have. The more I can learn from him, the quicker my learning process will be in these trucks." - SCOTT SPEED
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APRIL 1, 2008 - Red Bull Racing Team development driver Scott Speed is going NASCAR trucking in the No. 24 Bill Davis Racing Toyota. Speed will take his direction from veteran NASCAR crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe, who coached the careers of Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, and most recently, Jacques Villeneuve.
"We're very fortunate to work with a Truck Series team as successful as BDR, and a crew chief of Slugger's credentials," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team General Manager and Vice President. "They'll both be great assets and resources for Scott through the next phase of his stock car development program."
Speed's part-time run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts with Kansas Speedway on April 26, followed by Charlotte, Dover, Michigan, Bristol, Talladega, Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Miami. Speed's Truck credentials include two previous races at Atlanta and Martinsville.
The rookie scored big in his '08 teammate lineup pairing with former NCTS champion Mike Skinner and veteran Johnny Benson. Skinner's relationship with Red Bull Racing Team dates back to 2006 as a test driver for the startup Cup team, and includes his current status as an interim driver in the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota, and mentor to AJ Allmendinger.
Speed's NCTS seat time is part of a driver development program aimed at getting the Red Bull driver ready for top-level competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In addition to his Truck duties, Speed will continue to build his stock car resume racing the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota full-time in the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series. |
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