Allmendinger in truck at Atlanta

UPDATE #2 A.J. Allmendinger will continue his NASCAR introduction next weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as he attempts his third Craftsman Truck Series race of the season. Allmendinger, 24, who is considering full-time offers in NASCAR next season, will drive a Bill Davis Racing entry at Atlanta, team officials confirmed. He finished 13th at New Hampshire and fifth at Talladega in his first two starts. Rick Viers, who served as Allmendinger's crew chief in those races is expected to serve in the same capacity, but he no longer works for BDR. Team owner Bill Davis said Sunday that Viers, who did research and development work at BDR, has taken a crew chief position with Team Red Bull. Viers is expected to crew chief Red Bull's second Nextel Cup Series team, sources said. Viers' move fuels speculation that Allmendinger, who already has a personal services contract with Red Bill, could be in serious consideration for the team's second Cup ride. ThatsRacin.com

10/20/06 Although a Team Red Bull spokesman said he could not yet confirm the team’s plans for next week’s Nextel Cup race at Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Champ Car series driver A.J. Allmendinger will pilot the team’s entry there. Bill Elliott had been scheduled to drive it, but Elliott will apparently move to another car. Elliott failed to make last week’s race at Charlotte in the Red Bull team’s Dodge. The team will run Toyotas with Brian Vickers and a second driver to be named – with Allmendinger’s name mentioned among the potential candidates for that ride. ThatsRacin.com

10/20/06 Bill Elliott's plans to run in the Bass Pro Shops 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway next week with a special paint scheme commemorating his 30 years of racing at his home track have been scrapped, but he'll race in front of the home folks anyway. Elliott said the Red Bull team that was set to field his car asked him to step aside so rookie A.J. Allmendinger could drive. Elliott agreed, then struck a deal to drive the #37 Dodge R&J Racing. "But the key is that I'll be racing, and that I don't let down the fans who have already bought tickets," Elliott said. Atlanta Journal-Constitution