Speed plans to run partial Truck schedule for BDR

Red Bull Racing Team development driver Scott Speed is going NASCAR trucking in the No. 24 Bill Davis Racing Toyota.

Speed will take his direction from veteran NASCAR crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe, who coached the careers of Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip and most recently Jacques Villeneuve.

"We're very fortunate to work with a Truck Series team as successful as BDR, and a crew chief of Slugger's credentials," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team general manager and vice president. "They'll both be great assets and resources for Scott through the next phase of his stock-car development program."

Speed's part-time run in the Craftsman Truck Series starts with Kansas Speedway on April 26, followed by Charlotte, Dover, Michigan, Bristol, Talladega, Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. Speed's Truck credentials include two previous races at Atlanta and Martinsville.

The rookie scored big in his '08 teammate lineup pairing with former NCTS champion Mike Skinner and veteran Johnny Benson. Skinner's relationship with Red Bull Racing Team dates back to 2006 as a test driver for the startup Cup team, and includes his current status as an interim driver in the No. 84 Toyota, and mentor to A.J. Allmendinger.

"This is a great opportunity for me to work closely with Skinner while I get my feet wet in the Truck Series," Speed said. "He knows what it takes to run well and win races, and that's a hell of a mentor for me to have. The more I can learn from him, the quicker my learning process will be in these trucks."

Speed's NCTS seat time is part of a driver development program aimed at getting the Red Bull driver ready for top-level competition in the Sprint Cup Series. In addition to his Truck duties, Speed will continue to build his stock-car resume racing the No. 2 Toyota full time in the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series.