Red Bull Rundown: Mediocrity is the Word For Kahne, Vickers in Samsung Mobile 500

Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

It was a race against time for the Red Bull Racing team at Texas Motor Speedway on a day that was marked by a series of long green flag runs.

Both Red Bull teams had a mediocre race, finishing back in the 20s in Saturday’s Samsung Mobile 500 that ended after a 114-lap green flag run. Kahne and Vickers started in 13th and 30th respectively.

Following qualifying for Saturday’s race under the lights at the 1.5-mile track, Kahne, driver of the No. 4 Red Bull Toyota, commented on his run saying, “I just blew turn three. I actually had a really good lap going, I drove in too hard and gave up a lot of time. The car felt really good, the engine and everything felt really good. I just screwed up.”

Unlike teammate Kahne, who pointed to his own mistake following a somewhat disappointing qualifying run, for Vickers, driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota, the problem seemed to be a lack of time.

“We made a lot of changes from practice to qualifying,” said Vickers. “They were all really, really good. We just needed time to make it better. It’s always hard to go out there with a brand new setup and qualify.”

After struggling with ill-handling cars, for Kahne and Vickers it was a race against the clock with both struggling to remain on the lead lap. Throughout Saturday’s race, Kahne lost a total of two laps and Vickers lost a total of four.

Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

While Vickers has never had much luck at Texas, Kahne’s career includes a win in 2006 (starting from the pole position) and an average best finish of 16.0. For Vickers, his career does include a pole at Texas, but a career-best finish of only 12th.

Next week the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the infamous Talladega for the Aaron’s 499.

Both Red Bull Racing drivers have found success in the past at Talladega. Vickers has an average best finish of 19.9 and his career includes a win in 2006 – that same year, teammate Kahne finished right behind him in 2nd.

Kahne has an average best finish of 21.9 and besides finishing 2nd in 2006, he also nabbed a 2nd place finish in 2009, although he has yet to find a win at Talladega.

Kahne now sits 16th in the point standings and Vickers in 26th.

As they head to Talladega, Kahne and Vickers will attempt another 1-2 finish, but this time as teammates.