Skinner to replace Allmendinger

Allmendinger has failed to make the field for the first three races of the season despite showing good speed during pre-season testing. His more experienced teammate Brian Vickers has been on the grid for all three races though, and currently ranks 13th in the points.

Skinner, who had taken over Jacques Villeneuve's drive at Bill Davis Racing since Fontana, will drive the No. 84 Team Red Bull Toyota for the first time next weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"We're at a crossroads where we need to make a change that will elevate the No. 84 team to success," said Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager Jay Frye.

"AJ's our guy and he's a talented driver, but there's a lot being asked of him. In order for him to be successful, we have to get this team pointed in the right direction. We hope we can do that with the help of a veteran driver."

Allmendinger, who is making his second full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, will sit out an undefined number of races, while his team hopes Skinner will help them climb in the owners standing before handing the drive back to him.

"Let's not kid ourselves; I'm a racer and I want to be racing, but I get the big picture here and obviously we need to improve our program," Allmendinger said. "Do I want to be out of the car? No. But, I know Skinner can help both me and my team.

"All I can say is he better be prepared for me to eat, drink, and sleep with him. OK, well maybe not the sleeping part, but I'm ready to attach myself to him and learn everything I can."

Skinner is no stranger to Red Bull as he served as their test driver in 2006, before they made their Sprint Cup debut. He was also a teammate for Allmendinger at Bill Davis Racing when he competed in the Craftsman Truck Series.

"The first time I ever met AJ, I took an immediate liking to him," Skinner said. "He's not just a great personality; he also has a remarkable amount of talent. He took on a huge challenge jumping into stock cars last year, and I'm glad I can be the one to help him and his team figure out where the glitches are in their program."

Skinner qualified the No. 27 BDR car fifth at Las Vegas last week and finished the race 30th. His truck series teammate Johnny Benson is expected to replace him in the BDR Cup car next weekend at Atlanta.