AJ gets full time ride...??

[Chris]

I see AJ has signed with Red Bull for a full time in the #84 car for 2007 and beyond.
In a way I can see it,.. in a way I can't.  I just can't see him as no "Juan Pablo".  He's not even done much more than test a race car (if he's done that) and here he's got a ride and multi-year deal.
Wonder what ever happened to common sense, and "show me what you got,.. and then we'll deal"
I haven't saw anything yet.  I'm still gonna be surprised if he makes the field this weekend.  He could since there's only 48 entries,... but I don't think he'll get in "solid",.. it'll be a "barely squeak in"...
I may be wrong,..  but hardly ever see someone who has NEVER set in ANY type of stock car jump in one and do anything for quite a while.  Just two much difference between the two type cars to adapt very quickly.
We've saw Stewart, Gordon, Richmond, etc come from the Indy car series and do VERY well,.. but it still took them a little time.

On Tuesday, Team Red Bull formally announced a multi-year agreement with American open-wheel race car driver AJ Allmendinger to race the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota for the 2007 Nextel Cup season.
Allmendinger 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.
"I'm really excited about this next challenge in my racing career," Allmendinger said. "To race against some of the best drivers in the world in front of fans that are as enthusiastic about racing as I am is going to be a pretty big thrill.
Rick Viers, the veteran crew chief who guided the 24-year-old Californian through two successful Craftsman Truck Series races for Bill Davis Racing earlier this year, also joins Team Red Bull in the same role for 2007.
"I see a huge amount of potential in AJ," Viers said. "On the racetrack, he's smart, patient and definitely not afraid to race. For the first half of next year, AJ must use his patience to learn as much as he can before moving forward in the second half.
"Hopefully, he'll be a solid rookie of the year candidate by year's end."
A former Toyota Atlantic champion and Champ Car rookie of the year, Allmendinger 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 Allmendinger take on driver duties in the Team Red Bull entry for the upcoming Nextel Cup races at Atlanta and Texas.
"I know this is going to be a lot of work in the upcoming months, but I couldn't be happier to do it with Team Red Bull," he said. "Hopefully, we can all go out and deliver a good show."

[sweetwahine]

Give him some time, I think he will suprize some skeptics

[flamehothead]

Good to see ya back around sweetwahine. I think that AJ will do fine of course their are going to be bumps in the road that's expected. I think his experience in the Cart series will help tremendously. I'm not saying I think he will win The Cup next season or anything like that, But I think he will surprise alot of people.

[sweetwahine]

Thanks FOH, I agree with a little seat time he should be just fine! Plus Im biased hes from the Southbay ( Norcal) Hey FOH ya gonna be around this weekend? Maybe we can chat Have a great day!

[Chris]

I agree,.. I think AJ will do fine,............. in time.
Can't expect MUCH early on.
Gotta crawl before you can walk.... walk before you can run...
IMHO if he even makes the race this weekend,.. I gonna say I think he'll crash in the race,.. but I don't want anyone to think I wish any ill will toward him.
just what I expect,.. even if he IS good,.. the cars are sooooo much different, and he has no seat time.

It's just that the two types of cars are so much different.... IRL cars have all that tub chassis, with built in downforce, then the deal with wickerbills, front wings, and spoilers, REAR wings... seems they run as fast as you want then to go.  No such thing as lifting from the throttle.

In CUP thats not the case,.. you gotta "drive" the car,... lift, and feather the throttle, no such thing as built in downforce... just got that SMALL rear spoiler to hold the rear end on the ground.  It's a Whole different beast.

[flamehothead]

I know one thing that is going to throw him a curve ball. In the IRL the drivers can make some adjustments from the cockpit of the car. In Nascar the only thing that he can do is adjust the brake-bias. When they would have the in-car camera I would be amazed at how little they have to turn the wheel to over correct the car . If he get's loose this weekend and we know he will then it will be like driving a BIG-RIG. I can hear him on the radio now. I'm still saven it how much further do I have to turn the wheel LOL . I hope he does good though.

[KurtBuschFan]

I'm looking forward to seeing AJ full time....it'll be great to see what he can do

[Tyyrus]

I,am with ya KG as long as he does better than the Aussie GP..Man ! Lots of pressure on him , but the more
seat time he aquires this year the better !  He can't go wrong having Awesome Bill as a Mentor ! Good Young Team , just have to gain some experience , would do him well to also get some additional seat time in Busch
when a seat become available. I just hope he drives within his abilities and does not press to much , until he adjusts to his new surrounding more or less . There are new Tracks , Drivers who may wish to test him out and obviously and will be reluctant to run in close proxcimately to him intially. Also there may be a few drivers put off by his mettoric rise to Nascar's Premier Division...Patience is a virtue....and we as fans may have to be patient in awaiting A.J. 1st Race , since he must "Qualify (Walk) before he can Ruuuuuun.............Baby !!  

[Chris]

Sounds less and less like Elliott will have anything to do with Red Bull...
THE #37 team is BEGGING Elliott to drive their car full time next season.
Ernie Elliott is building motors for the team,.. and the team has relocated to Dawsonville, GA.
Bill did drive for this team a few races ago, and finished 16th.  A GREAT run for that team.

IMO I think Elliott will NOT drive for this team next season.  I think if he comes back to drive full time he'll have to have some BIG BUCKS, and it'll have to be someone fairly competitive.  Of course if Elliott has a couple more real good run with these guys,.. maybe he'll decide they CAN be competitive in 2007 (just gonna be hard for a one car team to do that)