Allmendinger to race for MWR

The Californian had lost his drive with Red Bull Racing Team last week following his best career result at Kansas, where he finished ninth.

He was replaced by Mike Skinner at Talladega last Sunday and Scott Speed is expected to drive the No. 84 car in the last five races of the season.

Another former open-wheel racer, Michael McDowell, had been replaced recently by Skinner also at MWR but after a short return McDowell then failed to make the field at Kansas.

Kenny Wallace drove the car to a 12th place finish on Sunday at Talladega, giving them their best result of the season to date.

Now Allmendinger will attempt to qualify the car next weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway, where he claimed victory in May during a qualifying race for the All-Star Challenge.

"I look forward to it and I think this is a great opportunity," Allmendinger said. "Over the past couple of months the organization has really picked up with how everyone has been running. Hopefully, I can go out there and do a good job and get the #00 Champion Mortgage Toyota team back inside the top 35."

The team expect Allmendinger to help bring their car back inside the top-35 before the season comes to an end at Homestead, although he hasn't been confirmed the drive for the rest of the season.

McDowell was runner-up last year in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and had been brought by Waltrip to drive the 00 car full time since Martinsville. However he is not expected to return with the team this year.