Schrader teams with Red Bull for Shootout

Ken Schrader will pilot the #82 Red Bull Toyota in February's 2010 Daytona Shootout, it has been confirmed.

When NASCAR announced a revised format for this season's Shootout race, Schrader came knocking on Red Bull Racing Team's door. With Schrader's past winners spot, and a #82 team eager to start the season, the pairing made sense.

Schrader will thus compete for the squad at Daytona International Speedway on February 6, standing in for Scott Speed, the full-time driver of the #82, who is not one of the drivers eligible to compete in the Shootout. Speed will take back the reins of the Red Bull Toyota for the Daytona 500 on February 14.

"Kenny's desire and dedication to NASCAR has always made him a favourite among fans and throughout the garage area," said VP and general manager Jay Frye. "We're excited he approached us with the idea and are looking forward to giving him the opportunity he deserves and has earned."

Schrader, a NASCAR veteran, earned a starting spot in this season's race by winning the event in both 1989 and 1990.

Schrader has graced the high banks of Daytona 45 times in his 25-year NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, leading 298 laps, and earning seven top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.

"I am tremendously excited to be in a top-calibre car," Schrader added. "Pairing up with a strong team-mate like Brian Vickers and the whole Red Bull organisation for this event has me on Cloud 9."