LAS VEGAS -- Scott Speed is officially out at Red Bull Racing.
According to Speed's Twitter account, he got the official termination letter last Tuesday.
"Not [a] huge surprise," Speed wrote.
Speed became expendable when Red Bull Racing signed Kasey Kahne to drive its second Sprint Cup car for the 2011 season before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. His only hope to remain with the company was if Brian Vickers, who missed most of last season after being diagnosed with blood clots, was unable to return.
General manager Jay Frye said before the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway that no complications were expected when Vickers went off blood thinners.
Speed had a year remaining on his contract with Red Bull Racing, but there was a performance clause that allowed the team to dismiss him if he wasn't ranked in the top 16 in points. Speed finished 30th with only two top 10s.
In 76 Cup races for Red Bull Racing, Speed had one top five, three top 10s and no wins and led only 42 laps.
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.