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Sprint Cup
CUP: With Ekstrom In No. 83, Questions Linger For Red Bull
Much remains in limbo for Red Bull Racing as the team prepares for 2011...
Red Bull Racing General Manager and Vice President Jay Frye (Pictured) says there has been no determination on Scott Speed for next season or whether the organization could expand to three teams. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Red Bull Racing, a team in transition, plans to have Mattias Ekstrom and Reed Sorenson share the No. 83 car the rest of the year but decisions about 2011 as far as crew chief for Kasey Kahne and what happens with Scott Speed remain looming for the organization.
Red Bull Vice President Jay Frye said Friday that there has been no determination on Scott Speed for next season or whether the organization could expand to three teams.
Red Bull already has Kahne scheduled to drive one of its cars. Brian Vickers has been sidelined because of blood clots since May. He must remain clear of blood clots, which he said the doctors have told him have been eliminated because of the heart surgery, to return.
That would seem to leave Speed, who drives the No. 82 car, out of a ride. He has a contract with the team that currently does not allow him to seek another ride.
“[Having three teams] is still possible,” Frye said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. “A lot of this dictates [on] Brian. Right now, everything looks great, which is great, but he is only halfway through the process so we’re keeping our different options open.
“The doctors have said everything looks good, but we don’t know until the process is done. We’re optimistic about it.”
As far as Kahne’s team for next year, Frye said he has not finalized who will crew chief the car for Kahne.
“We’re still working on some different scenarios,” Frye said.
This week, Frye will be looking forward to seeing Ekstrom compete for the first time on an oval after he made his debut at Infineon Raceway in June with a 21st. He could see more races later this year. Reed Sorenson, who has been driving the No. 83 for most of the summer, will drive the races that Ekstrom does not.
“We’re going to see how he does this weekend first,” Frye said. “There is a possibility that some things can happen with him between now and the end of the year to do another race. … Reed has been doing a great job. Mattias, we’ve been working on this before Sonoma [in June].”
Ekstrom said he has three more races left this year driving for Audi in the DTM touring series in Germany. The Swede has a contract to drive the Audi again next year.
He tested at Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park and has tested at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.
“Those tracks were different, and this one is a little quicker,” Ekstrom said Friday after Cup practice. “You need to brake a little more. The surface here is much smoother.
“It’s different. I can see everybody doing this for a lot of years are really good and I have all the respect for the Jimmie Johnsons and the Tony Stewarts and all those guys. It’s an honor for me that Red Bull gave me an opportunity and I will try to do my best and learn as quick as I can.”
Braking, feeling the grip and understanding the balance on the oval will be one of his biggest challenges. The cars are heavier, have less downforce and more horsepower than the cars Ekstrom is used to.
Mattias has said he watched NASCAR as much as he can over the last three years.
“I think my girlfriend wonders what I’m looking at,” Ekstrom said. “I wanted to try it out myself. The racing is really awesome and the cars are a little bit performance from chassis and aero but the engine is really strong and it’s a different concept. … I’ve enjoyed every minute. I want to be better, I want to improve and I want to do good.”
This weekend, he wants to just have a clean run.
“I would like to have a clean run and come to the finish and hopefully have a good performance,” Ekstrom said. “Realistically, you’re in your first race in the Cup Series. I knew it would be hard. … On the road course, that was my homeground and I know how to drive and how the car should feel.
“Here, it’s pretty much different. The way you set up the car is different. I don’t know the terms. It’s a piece of the learning process and the excitement of driving something new is big.”
Whether he will ever drive full-time in NASCAR remains to be seen.
“I haven’t been thinking so far [ahead] – I have always had an interest in NASCAR,” Ekstrom said. “I have a contract with Audi at the moment and I have a good relationship with them and enjoy working with them as well.
“What I’ve learned in life is that it’s always good to do more things, have more legs to stand on.”
SceneDaily.com • Terry Labonte not just a partner, he’s a driver for now for new race team
Red Bull Vice President Jay Frye said Friday that there has been no determination on Scott Speed for next season or whether the organization could expand to three teams.
Red Bull already has Kahne scheduled to drive one of its cars. Brian Vickers has been sidelined because of blood clots since May. He must remain clear of blood clots, which he said the doctors have told him have been eliminated because of the heart surgery, to return.
That would seem to leave Speed, who drives the No. 82 car, out of a ride. He has a contract with the team that currently does not allow him to seek another ride.
“[Having three teams] is still possible,” Frye said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. “A lot of this dictates [on] Brian. Right now, everything looks great, which is great, but he is only halfway through the process so we’re keeping our different options open.
“The doctors have said everything looks good, but we don’t know until the process is done. We’re optimistic about it.”
As far as Kahne’s team for next year, Frye said he has not finalized who will crew chief the car for Kahne.
“We’re still working on some different scenarios,” Frye said.
This week, Frye will be looking forward to seeing Ekstrom compete for the first time on an oval after he made his debut at Infineon Raceway in June with a 21st. He could see more races later this year. Reed Sorenson, who has been driving the No. 83 for most of the summer, will drive the races that Ekstrom does not.
“We’re going to see how he does this weekend first,” Frye said. “There is a possibility that some things can happen with him between now and the end of the year to do another race. … Reed has been doing a great job. Mattias, we’ve been working on this before Sonoma [in June].”
Ekstrom said he has three more races left this year driving for Audi in the DTM touring series in Germany. The Swede has a contract to drive the Audi again next year.
He tested at Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park and has tested at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.
“Those tracks were different, and this one is a little quicker,” Ekstrom said Friday after Cup practice. “You need to brake a little more. The surface here is much smoother.
“It’s different. I can see everybody doing this for a lot of years are really good and I have all the respect for the Jimmie Johnsons and the Tony Stewarts and all those guys. It’s an honor for me that Red Bull gave me an opportunity and I will try to do my best and learn as quick as I can.”
Braking, feeling the grip and understanding the balance on the oval will be one of his biggest challenges. The cars are heavier, have less downforce and more horsepower than the cars Ekstrom is used to.
Mattias has said he watched NASCAR as much as he can over the last three years.
“I think my girlfriend wonders what I’m looking at,” Ekstrom said. “I wanted to try it out myself. The racing is really awesome and the cars are a little bit performance from chassis and aero but the engine is really strong and it’s a different concept. … I’ve enjoyed every minute. I want to be better, I want to improve and I want to do good.”
This weekend, he wants to just have a clean run.
“I would like to have a clean run and come to the finish and hopefully have a good performance,” Ekstrom said. “Realistically, you’re in your first race in the Cup Series. I knew it would be hard. … On the road course, that was my homeground and I know how to drive and how the car should feel.
“Here, it’s pretty much different. The way you set up the car is different. I don’t know the terms. It’s a piece of the learning process and the excitement of driving something new is big.”
Whether he will ever drive full-time in NASCAR remains to be seen.
“I haven’t been thinking so far [ahead] – I have always had an interest in NASCAR,” Ekstrom said. “I have a contract with Audi at the moment and I have a good relationship with them and enjoy working with them as well.
“What I’ve learned in life is that it’s always good to do more things, have more legs to stand on.”
SceneDaily.com • Terry Labonte not just a partner, he’s a driver for now for new race team
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