ARCA driver Speed plans for Truck debut at Atlanta

Red Bull Racing Team announced Thursday that Scott Speed will race a limited schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the No. 46 Morgan-Dollar Motorsports entry.

Speed's No. 46 will attempt to make his Truck Series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 7, followed by a second race at Martinsville Speedway on March 28. Speed will get additional seat time participating in the Truck Series open test at Martinsville on March 12-13.

Speed currently drives the No. 2 Toyota in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

"Every time I'm in the car I'm learning something," Speed said. "It's a lot more helpful for me to drive the races because for me to get into a truck or Cup car and go fast by myself has been really easy. It's been easier than I thought, to be honest.

"What's difficult and what I'm learning a lot about is how the other cars around you affect your car. The reason we went this route is because the truck is the most similar to the COT and it is very sensitive to the other cars around you, where they are and what they're doing to your car. This is kind of the method behind our madness here."

Speed's foray into the Truck Series is part of a development program aimed at getting the Red Bull driver ready for top-level competition in the Sprint Cup Series. Red Bull may consider additional opportunities for Speed as the 2008 season progresses.

Speed will continue his run for the championship racing full time in the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series under the wing of Eddie Sharp Racing.