Red Bull extends Toyota deal

Both Toyota and Red Bull broke into NASCAR's top series in 2007 and despite enduring a tough debut season, they claimed a pole position and three top five finishes in their second year together, followed by a first victory with Brian Vickers at Michigan last month.

Last week at Richmond, Vickers clinched a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, adding a second Toyota driver to the title battle.

"Our partnership with Toyota has been a critical element to the success of Red Bull Racing Team," said Jay Frye, the team's vice president and general manager.

"Both Red Bull Racing Team and Toyota share a common goal of being a championship-contending team. Toyota has supplied the engine and technical support we need to get our teams into victory lane and now the Chase for the championship. We look forward to the future with Toyota."

Red Bull is one of a number of Toyota teams running engines built by TRD, as opposed to Joe Gibbs Racing, which has its own engine shop run by expert engine builder Mark Cronquist.

"We look forward to continuing our relationship with Red Bull Racing Team - a member of our 'freshman class' in 2007 when Toyota joined the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a manufacturer," said Lee White, president and general manager for Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A.

"We are extremely proud of the team's and Brian's accomplishments, including their first victory and qualifying for the Chase."

Brian Vickers starts the Chase in eighth place, the highest he has been in the standings since joining the team for 2007.