TEAM NEWS
SCOTT SPEED TO RACE 2008 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES WITH ESR
(October 4, 2007) - Team Red Bull formally announces an agreement with former Formula 1 Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Scott Speed to race the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota Camry with Eddie Sharp Racing for the 2008 ARCA Re/MAX Series Season. Patrick Donahue will serve as crew chief for the rookie driver as he begins his ascent into stock car racing. Red Bull may consider occasional opportunities for Speed in NASCAR as the 2008 season progresses. Speed's connection with Red Bull dates back to 2002, when Speed won the Red Bull Driver Search, a program aimed at putting an American talent into Formula One. With Red Bull backing, Speed raced his way through the European ranks and into a full-time seat in 2006 at Red Bull Racing's sister team, Scuderia Toro Rosso, before mutually parting ways in 2007. |
| QUOTES:
SCOTT SPEED -No. 2 Red Bull Toyota Driver: "I'm really excited to race ARCA because it's an opportunity to learn a completely new animal for me - stock car racing - without being put under a huge spotlight. One of the great things about ARCA is that you have a whole field full of young guys like me just trying to make a name in this sport. It's hard to judge the level of competition I'll face next year, but that's just part of the fun.
NOTES: SCOTT SPEED OPEN MEDIA Q&A SESSION IS SCHEDULED AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY AT THE NO. 21 EDDIE SHARP RACING HAULER ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 FROM NOON - 12:15 PM. |
GUENTHER STEINER -Vice President, Competition, Team Red Bull: "Red Bull started investing in Scott's racing career a long time ago, so when he wanted the chance to drive stock cars, we wanted to help integrate him into the sport by earning his way up through the ranks. Scott's a very technical driver with a lot of raw talent. He'll be facing a lot of new challenges next year, but there's no doubt that he has the skills to someday make it to the highest level in NASCAR.
EDDIE SHARP -Owner, Eddie Sharp Racing: "The program we've put together is a win-win situation for both Scott and our team. We've worked hard to attract drivers of Scott's caliber and put them in competitive equipment with an experienced team. It's always nice to learn from a driver who has a fresh new outlook on the sport. There's a lot of excitement rushing through our shop right now to get next year started. |
| TALLADEGA AL (September 26, 2007 ) - Scott Speed, former Formula 1 Scuderia Toro Rosso driver, got behind the wheel of a stock car for the first time ever in Tuesday's ARCA RE/MAX Series test at Talladega Superspeedway.
Team Red Bull recently announced that Speed will make his stock car racing debut in the No. 21 Red Bull Toyota in the ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 5, 2007.
Describe your first day of testing.
"The banking here is pretty incredible and intimidating. Having never sat in a stock car and to just go out there and run the first lap flat against the wall - I'd be lying if I said that was easy! That took a bit of bravery. The banking here is just super."
"The car is so much heavier than a Formula 1 car and you feel so much more movement. This car is about three times the weight of a Formula 1 car, so it moves a lot on the springs and tires. It's just a big moving mass and you feel really tiny inside of it. A Formula 1 car is so small and stiff, if you even think about wanting to go right - you're going right."
"It's interesting to see how the team works together. This whole scene reminds me more of my karting days how the guys would work on the car and you're standing right there watching them. Also, the other teams were so willing to come over and share information and that just doesn't happen in Formula 1."
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"It was a pretty easy test for me because I was just driving flat out the whole time. I feel like the crew worked so hard and I just got in the car and drove. Being fast at Talladega has more to do with the car than the driver. The team worked all day making small changes to the car just trying to find more speed."
What surprised you the most from Tuesday's test?
"That they fill up the cars at a normal gas pump at the race track that looks like one you'd pull into if you were just driving down the road. That was so bizarre for me!"
"Also, in open-wheel racing, you always have someone on the team who buckles you into your seat. I got into my seat today waiting for someone to buckle me in and then after awhile realized I was supposed to buckle myself in. I'm not used to bringing my own helmet to the car either!"
"The most surprising thing is that I just don't dress like these people yet (sarcastic). I got harassed by some of the ARCA officials for my shorts - which I wasn't supposed to be wearing in the garage - and for my hat because it's what Europe would call high fashion, but I guess it's not considered that here."
What's the biggest challenge you'll face going into your first ARCA race next week?
"It will be so intense to race here. You're just hauling ass because it's so fast. It's not going to be easy to throw that thing into a corner at 170 mph. I have to learn how to draft and how to race these cars too. Learning how to run so close together with so many guys will be wild." |
ANNOUNCEMENT
SCOTT SPEED TO RACE AT TALLADEGA
Team Red Bull and ESR team up for F1 driver's stock car debut
MOORESVILLE, NC (September 20, 2007) – Team Red Bull and Eddie Sharp Racing are pleased to announce today that former Formula One Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Scott Speed will drive the No. 21 Red Bull Toyota in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 5, 2007. This will mark Speed's debut in stock car racing. |
“I come from a completely different world of racing, so there's no doubt it’s going to be a challenge learning how these cars handle, but I’m ready to get out there and see what I've got!” said Speed.
Speed’s connection with Red Bull dates back to 2002, when he won the Red Bull Driver Search, a program aimed at putting an American talent into Formula One. With Red Bull backing, Speed raced his way through the European ranks and into a full-time seat in 2006 at Red Bull Racing’s sister team, Scuderia Toro Rosso. After parting ways during the 2007 season, Speed turned his attention to landing a Red Bull-backed drive in the States.
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In an effort to hone and adapt Speed's skills from F1 to stock car racing, Red Bull tapped what is arguably the best ARCA team in the field, Eddie Sharp Racing. Speed’s inaugural stock car race will have him paired with a well-established ARCA team with high-caliber equipment and the personnel to support his climb through the stock car ranks.
With Red Bull backing and the strong team support of Eddie Sharp Racing, Speed will have the best of both worlds. |
