Go to content Go to navigation Go to recent PR reports Go to search

Speed Ready to Rub Fenders at Toledo

Thursday May 15, 2008

 

Dramatic finish at Kentucky leaves team hungry for next win

DENVER, N.C. (May 14, 2008) – Last weekend’s dramatic finish at Kentucky Speedway was the most exciting action seen so far in the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. Scott Speed and the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota were, literally, front and center in the drama. When the checkered flag FINALLY waved, Speed had lost his lead and finished in the second position. With fate denying Speed his second career victory in the ARS, the Red Bull team looks forward to this weekend at Toledo Speedway, where Eddie Sharp Racing swept last season in both wins and pole positions.

“Last weekend was definitely the craziest finish to a race so far,” said Speed. “It was a lot of fun and we did everything right. It just wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully this week will be a different story. We tested at South Boston on Wednesday so we’re ready to head back to a short track with a great car. The key this weekend will be to qualify up front and stay there with smart pit strategy. And patience. A lot of patience.”

This will be Speed’s first career start at the 0.5-mile speedway. Last season teammate Ken Butler, III won the speedway’s May race while ESR alum Michael McDowell took the victory in October. McDowell started each of the two events from the pole position. Speed demonstrated one example of his driving versatility earlier this season with a solid fifth-place finish at Salem Speedway.

“We were really good at Salem earlier this season so I expect this weekend we’ll be the same,” commented Speed. “My team always puts together a great car for me and the Toledo car will be no exception.”

ARCA RE/MAX Series practice runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2008. SIM Factory Pole Qualifying follows Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, all cars line up on the front stretch in short-track fashion where the ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers will sign autographs from 12:00 p.m. until 1:15 p.m. Driver Introductions begin at 1:15 p.m. The green flag for the Hantz Group 200 by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway drops Sunday, May 18th, at 2:00 p.m. All times listed are EASTERN.

For more on Scott Speed, please visit www.redbullusa.com/scottspeed.

For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, please log onto www.teamesr.com.

SCOTT SPEED QUICK FACTS:

2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Stats:
Best Start: second (twice) at Daytona International Speedway, February 2008 and Kansas Speedway, April 2008
Best Finish: first at Kansas Speedway, April 2008
Notes of Interest:
Eddie Sharp Racing is bringing car #202 (aka chassis #407) to the Toledo Speedway. This Toyota Camry was last seen on-track at Salem Speedway, where Speed started 5th and finished 5th. This was also McDowell’s 2007 Toledo car, bringing home two pole positions and a win. #202 is fondly known as “Popeye” to the No. 2 Red Bull team because each time it has returned to N.C. it has had one headlight punched out.
In 2007, Eddie Sharp Racing had a streak of successful starts and finishes at Toledo Speedway (May: McDowell started first, KBIII won; October: McDowell and KBIII started 1-2, respectively, McDowell won)
First career start at Toledo Speedway for Scott Speed.

Still haven’t joined the Frontstretch Forums? Here’s a peek at what you’re
missing this week:

How do you feel about A.J. Allmendinger’s release from Red Bull Racing?

Are you surprised to see Paul Menard leaving DEI?

If you’d prefer to stay out of controversial NASCAR topics, feel free to join us in The Infield, where we talk about everything from politics to stick and ball sports to jokes and odd news from around the world.

And for those of you that might visit The Frontstretch Forums to kill time, feel free to join in our Games forum. It’s the perfect place to waste away countless hours playing word association, hangman, and much, much more.

Click here to join the forums and tell us what you think. Don’t miss out on a chance to share your opinion with a growing community of fans just like you!

Message Board Quote of the Week: “I don’t see how Rusty + DEI + COT = competitive on the racetrack in 2009. I do see how Rusty could hook a sponsor, though, which DEI needs more than ever with Paul Menard leaving and taking the Menards money with him.” Scott B on rumors that Rusty Wallace would be making a return to NASCAR behind the wheel of a DEI-owned machine

This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Kim DeHaven.

 

©2000 - 2008 Kim DeHaven and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!