A.J. Allmendinger out at Red Bull, Scott Speed in?

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The writing was on the wall this summer when Red Bull Racing hesitated to re-sign Californian A.J. Allmendinger to keep driving its NASCAR Sprint Cup car next season, and today the team made it official: Red Bull and Allmendinger parted ways.

Most everyone in the NASCAR garage agrees that the 26-year-old Allmendinger, a Los Gatos native who moved to stock-car racing from the old Champ Car World Series open-wheel racing circuit, has plenty of talent.

But his time in Red Bull’s No. 84 Toyota this year was a constant struggle. He failed to qualify for the first three races, was replaced by veteran Mike Skinner for several more, then returned to the wheel but has had only one top-10 finish. (Red Bull said Skinner would drive the car in a test this week, but no word yet on whether he’ll drive in this Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway.)

But Allmendinger’s departure might really be more about another Californian in Red Bull’s stable, Scott Speed, a former Formula One driver who has enjoyed success this year driving in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series and in the ARCA series, one of stock-car racing’s minor leagues. Speed wants to graduate to the Sprint Cup level and the betting is Red Bull wants him there, too -- the sooner the better. Look for that announcement shortly.

And what about Allmendinger’s future? He didn’t tip his hand in today’s announcement, but don’t be surprised if he lands another Cup ride for 2009.

-- Jim Peltz