RBR Michigan Pre-Race Quotes

 SOMETIMES SAVED, SOMETIMES SNUBBED

The weather forecast for Friday in Brooklyn, Mich., calls for sunny skies with a mere 10- percent chance of precipitation. Friday, of course, is qualifying day for the 3M Performance 400, and the weather is worth noting because Mother Nature has been a dear friend of Red Bull Racing, all the while being its worst enemy.

Twice in the past five Nextel Cup races rain has helped Brian Vickers’ No. 83 Red Bull Toyota earn a spot in the show. His victory last fall at Talladega carries a lot of weight when it’s wet — like in July at Daytona or last week at Watkins Glen, even though the No. 83 had the speed in practice. But a free pass is a free pass.

And then there’s AJ Allmendinger. At the Glen, he hardly got a chance to show off his road- racing skills … rain, an abbreviated practice, more rain and no qualifying. Just like that, AJ and the No. 84 were headed home. The June event at 2-mile Michigan International Speedway was the last time both Red Bulls raced together. BV qualified 16th, and AJ tied a career-best finish in 31st.

AJ Allmendinger

 “Last week in Watkins Glen was so frustrating because we had a car good enough to make the race, but we haven’t seemed to have any luck on our side recently. Rain is something you can’t control, though, so you can’t lose too much sleep over it. This week is a new week and I am looking forward to going back to Michigan again. We had a pretty good car back in June, and this time around we have an even better car and also more experience under our belts.”

Ricky Viers,  crew chief 

“AJ is testing this week, which is good because with every lap he runs he becomes more and more comfortable with the car. Last time we came to   Michigan, we were running well until the right-front tire went down. We are taking a better car back this time around. Making the race and running well this week is just what we need to get this team back on track and making races on a weekly basis. Everyone has been working so hard and that should be evident this weekend.”