Scott Speed-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.: Round II in the Nationwide Series

There is no doubt bad blood between former ARCA drivers Scott Speed and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. 

When we last saw these two on the track, they were dueling for the ARCA championship at the Toledo Speedway. Both were battling mightily in the opening laps of the race, knowing that ARCA series supremacy was at stake. However, in a wild move for second place early in the race, Stenhouse, Jr. set his sights directly on Speed and plowed him into the wall.

Speed took his smashed up race car back into the pits, and several laps later, got back on the track to exact revenge against Stenhouse.

Speed was on a mission.

Just as mercilessly as he was taken out, Speed took that final shot to the car of Stenhouse.

As a result, both cars were knocked out of contention for the race win—and for the championship. Justin Allgaier was instead crowned as the 2008 ARCA Champion.

In 2009, both Speed and Stenhouse will be graduating out of the ARCA series. Speed will be running for team Red Bull and contending for the Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors. 

But, there was another announcement recently regarding Scott Speed. It was revealed that Speed will be running several Nationwide races in 2009, splitting the time with Toyota teammate Michael Waltrip.

Guess who else is going to try to tame a few Nationwide tracks. Stenhouse.

Stenhouse will be competing in seven Nationwide series races in 2009.

Stenhouse will be driving for Roush Fenway Racing, and will be sharing the No. 16 car with Cup regulars Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle, as well as Truck driver Colin Braun.

So, the stage is now set for Round Two of the ongoing battle between Speed and Stenhouse.

This time, however, the battle will be played out on the second highest level of NASCAR racing.

"My main goals this year are to try and finish all the laps and finish every race.  I think if we can finish inside the top 10, eventually that will turn into top-five finishes and eventually wins", say Stenhouse, Jr. of his Nationwide expectations.

Not so fast, Mr. Stenhouse. Not if Speed has anything to say about it.

The battlefield is set—seven Nationwide races to decide Round Two.

Bring it on.