PRESS RELEASE: Speed Dominates Early; Eliminated in Big One at Daytona

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



Speed Dominates Early; Eliminated in Big One at Daytona

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 9, 2008) - Scott Speed started exactly where
you want to at Daytona International Speedway, on the front row with no one
in front of him. Speed jumped out and was in a league of his own, leading
nearly every one of the laps before coming to the pits during a caution on
lap 24. Shortly after the race resumed, the notorious 'big one' occurred,
collecting Speed and the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota. Only 29 laps into the ARCA
200, Scott Speed's day was over. Speed finished 39th.

 

When the green flag dropped, the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota was ready to show
exactly how fast it was. Speed made an impressive start, quickly jumping out
in front the pole sitter, and leading the first lap. Speed's radio chatter
was entertaining as he quoted Talladega Nights stating that "this is the
coolest thing I've ever done!"

 

Speed reported early that the car was a little loose and that towards the
end of the run "we were skating around out there."

 

On lap 24 Speed came down pit road for his first pit stop. The Eddie Sharp
Racing team put on four tires and added fuel to the Red Bull Toyota. Speed
restarted the race on lap 27 in the 13th position.

 

On lap 30, two cars ahead of Speed bounced off of each other, triggering a
multi-car pileup that red-flagged the event. In typical superspeedway
fashion, the 'big one' eliminated many of the races key players, including
Scott Speed. In characteristic fashion and much to the amusement of the
fans, Speed hopped out of his crumpled car and promptly stuck his thumb out
to hitch a ride back to the back to the infield. The No. 2 Red Bull Toyota
returned to the garage on the back of a flatbed and Speed made the required
visit to the infield care center. When Speed arrived at the team hauler
following his check-up, he was all smiles. Despite the early exit, Speed was
thrilled with the car's performance and the experience of competing at
Daytona.

 

"The car was running well," Speed stated with a grin. "I think we had our
stuff sorted. Yeah, we were looking good." 

 

Speed added when asked if he had fun, "it was definitely fun! I learned a
lot actually about the draft, even in that short amount of time. About how
the air comes off the bodies and spoilers and how that changes in the
straightaways and the turns. I can definitely take a lot of that away with
me." 

 

Speed will be back on track at the Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana on April
13, 2008. 

 

For more on Scott Speed, please visit
<http://www.redbullusa.com/scottspeed> www.redbullusa.com/scottspeed.

For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, please log onto  <http://www.teamesr.com>
www.teamesr.com.

For additional images, please contact Jody Jennings at
 jjennings@teamesr.com.

###

Media Contact:    Jody L. Jennings

   Public Relations Manager
                  C: 205.910-4429 

   O: 704.489-8809
                    jjennings@teamesr.com