MBNA 400: A Salute to Heroes - Brian Vickers Notes

VICKERS EYING DOVER: Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolets, earned his most recent NASCAR victory at Dover (Del.) International Speedway in September 2003, winning the Busch Series event at the one-mile oval. In two NBS starts at "The Monster Mile" last season, Vickers finished fifth and first, respectively. The 20-year-old will make his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series debut at the track this weekend.

'25' UP FRONT: GMAC Racing has earned three consecutive top-10 starts dating back to California Speedway, including a pole position at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway on May 14. Since taking over the driving duties for the No. 25 team late in 2003, Vickers has posted nine top-10 and eight top-five starts in 16 races.

ROAD-COURSE TESTING FOR VICKERS: The No. 25 team will travel to Infineon Raceway on Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for the June 27 NEXTEL Cup event. The team recently spent time at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, S.C., and also plans to test on the road-course circuit at Virginia International Raceway before heading west for the Cup event at Infineon. It's also possible Vickers will gear up for the race at the Bondurant Driving School in Phoenix with teammate Jimmie Johnson.

BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES CHEVROLETS: (ON THE TEAM'S PERFORMANCE.) "It's been a total team effort. I've learned a lot so far this season, and so has the team. More importantly, we've learned how to work together. Last season it took me a while to build that (needed) team chemistry in the Busch Series. Personally, I'd rather things not be rushed and to build for the long run -- to win championships. Right now I'm happy with the progress we've shown over the last few races."

VICKERS: (IS THERE ANY ONE THING THAT HAS HELPED THE NO. 25 TEAM OR YOURSELF TO PROGRESS?) "Time. It's taken some time for Peter (Sospenzo, crew chief) and the team to really understand what I need and to trust me in knowing what I need. It's the same for me. I had to learn what they needed from me. Over the last two months we've done a lot of testing, just trying to spend time working together and building chemistry between us all. As time goes by, it's only going to get better."

VICKERS: (ON RACING AT DOVER.) "I've always enjoyed racing at Dover and had a lot of fun there. It's a mix between some of my other favorite race tracks, like Bristol, except just a little faster. The track is fast and it can turn into a multi-groove race track -- especially later in the Cup race."