Sam's Town 250 - Brian Vickers Notes

VICKERS STANDS TALL AT SHORT TRACKS: In the five NASCAR Busch Series events run on short tracks in 2003, GMAC Racing has earned three top-five finishes, including the last three in a row. Most recently, the team posted a fourth-place showing at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in September. The team's worst result on a short track also came at Richmond, where driver Brian Vickers finished 16th in May.

TOP-10 AVERAGES FOR GMAC RACING: During the last 19 races, the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services team has earned three wins, 11 top-fives and 15 top-10 finishes dating back to the May event at Gateway International Raceway. Over that span, the team has averaged starting and finishing positions of 9.2 and 8.1, respectively.

VICKERS CHASING GREEN: With five races remaining, Vickers ranks second in the Busch Series championship standings, 36 points behind leader David Green. The separation between Green and fifth-place Jason Keller is just 80 points, making the 2003 title chase the closest in Busch Series history at this stage of the season.

MAKING A POINT: In the last five Busch Series races, no driver in top five has scored more championship points than the 19-year-old Vickers. Dating back to Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Aug. 30, GMAC Racing has amassed 752 points thanks to three wins and four top-five finishes. Over that five-event span, Green is second with 686 markers, while Jason Keller is third with 682.

VICKERS IN 25 AT ATLANTA: Vickers will drive the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet in the final four NASCAR Winston Cup Series races of 2003. Originally scheduled to race the No. 01 car in those events, Vickers will pilot the No. 25 Chevy at Atlanta, Phoenix, Rockingham, N.C., and the season finale at Homestead, Fla. He will drive the car full-time next season with primary sponsorship from GMAC Financial Services.

BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 5 GMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES CHEVROLET: (ON THE UPCOMING RACE AT MEMPHIS.) "Sure, it's a short track race and sticky situations seem to pop up more frequently on the shorter tracks, but we're approaching it just like we've approached the last several races. That means we're going to work hard on starting up front and go from there. When it comes time to race, we'll be patient and have solid pit stops."

VICKERS: (DO YOU CATCH YOURSELF DURING A RACE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS ARE RUNNING?) "Not at all. You can't get wrapped up in that because it will wear you out mentally. We go in with a game plan for our team and that's all we're concerned about. It's not my job to worry about the other four guys. Now, at the end of the race, I'll ask how everyone ran, but while the race is going on, my priority is my race car."

VICKERS: (THE LAST MONTH HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE FOR YOU. DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DISTRACTED BY EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH YOUR CAREER?) "As busy as the last month has been, in a way it's kind of been good because I haven't had too much time to sit around and think. All of the activity has helped me remain focused and stay on course. My team and I are just as committed and focused now as when this season started. The only time those other things become a distraction is when you let them. Right now, we're just approaching everything one race at a time."

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