Mooresville, NC (Sports Network) - Red Bull Racing set its 2009 Sprint Cup
Series roster Monday with Ryan Pemberton serving as Brian Vickers' new crew
chief and Jimmy Elledge guiding Scott Speed as he runs for rookie of the year
honors.
Pemberton joins Vickers' No.83 team after serving as crew chief for David
Reutimann at Michael Waltrip Racing in 2008. Reutimann ended the season by
winning his first career Sprint Cup pole at Homestead.
Speed, a former Formula One competitor, will drive the No.82 Toyota for Red
Bull and start next season locked inside the top-35 in car owner points. He
will be guaranteed a starting position in the first five races, including the
season-opening Daytona 500.
"We're entering our third Sprint Cup season with driver and crew chief
pairings that have what it takes to consistently compete at a high level,"
team manager Jay Frye said in a statement. "Brian and Ryan are each at a point
in their respective careers where they can bring home wins and make a run for
the championship. Scott earned his Sprint Cup ride by exceeding our
expectations in ARCA and trucks. He has a great asset in Jimmy, who has
experience working with both rookies and open-wheel drivers."
Speed will also run a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series next year,
driving the No.99 Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing.