McDowell, Allmendinger out at Talladega -»From the Voice of the NASCAR Nation

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McDowell, Allmendinger out at Talladega
By Reid Spencer,Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
Posted:0835hrs

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing will have its own version of "The Replacements" at Talladega Superspeedway, as two Toyota teams made driver moves for Sunday's AMP Energy 500, the fourth race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Michael McDowell has been bumped from Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 00 Camry in favor of Kenny Wallace, whose only Cup start this season came in the season-opening Daytona 500. McDowell, who failed to qualify for last Sunday's Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway, remains under contract to MWR and may see action during the final six races of the season.

"We have a singular focus with the No. 00 team now and that is to get it in the top 35 in owners points when the checkered flag falls at Homestead-Miami," Waltrip said Tuesday in a statement released by the team. "This is not about an individual; it is about an organization. Kenny has a lot of experience (in) restrictor-plate racing and a lot of friends who trust him, which is critical at that race. He has a great record at Talladega and we felt like he was our best shot at scoring maximum points.

Race fans may find gas shortages along I-20 east of Talladega

"We're going to make the same evaluation for the remaining 2008 Sprint Cup races. That could include multiple drivers based on their experiences at particular tracks. Teams have done this at road-course events, and we have the flexibility to do this with the remaining oval races."

--(Cont'd From Front Page)-- As expected, Red Bull Racing announced Tuesday that AJ Allmendinger won't be back in the No. 84 Toyota this season. Mike Skinner, who subbed for Allmendinger for five races earlier this year, will drive the car at Talladega and at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Scott Speed, who drives for Red Bull in Craftsman Truck and ARCA Series, will take the wheel of the No. 84 Camry for the final five races this season. Speed is Allmendinger's likely replacement in the Cup series next year. He will attempt to make his Cup debut at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the No. 82 Toyota he tested there last week.

The No. 84 Red Bull car currently is 33rd in owner points. Waltrip's No. 00 is 36th, 29 points behind the No. 7 Dodge owned and driven by Robby Gordon.

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