Pennsylvania 500 - Brian Vickers Notes

SECOND TIME'S A CHARM: The Aug. 1 Pocono 500 will mark the second of 13 events at tracks that host a pair of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2004. During the second stop at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in July, the No. 25 GMAC Racing team improved its finishing position by 30 places. While competing in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2003, driver Brian Vickers bettered his result at seven of the eight venues holding two races. In those events, the Thomasville, N.C., native won twice and finished inside the top-10 seven times.

NEW HAMPSHIRE STRUGGLES: Sunday's 34th-place finish at New Hampshire was the worst result for GMAC Racing dating back to Bristol, Tenn., where the team came in 35th on March 28. Handling issues plagued the No. 25 Chevrolet throughout the race and eventually contributed to Vickers' spin on Lap 179 when he made contact with the outside retaining wall in Turns 3 and 4.

HENDRICK AT POCONO: With a victory this weekend, Hendrick Motorsports will have twice as many wins at Pocono Raceway than any other operation in NASCAR. Rick Hendrick leads all car owners with nine Cup Series triumphs at Pocono, while Roger Penske is alone in second with five. Hendrick has amassed those 10 wins with five different drivers: Tim Richmond (3), Jeff Gordon (3), Geoffrey Bodine (1), Labonte (1) and Jimmie Johnson (1).

GMAC TEAM LOOKING FOR MORE: During the June visit to Pocono Raceway, the GMAC Racing team qualified second and finished 13th despite running inside the top-five for much of the event. The 20-year-old Vickers will be making his second career start at the 2.5-mile tri-oval on Sunday.

'25' CHASSIS INFO: GMAC Racing will again field Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 2547 at Pocono. The same car was used to complete the June event at the Long Pond, Pa., facility.

SOSPENZO'S POCONO SUCCESS: In eight career events at Pocono as a crew chief, Peter Sospenzo has enjoyed positive results, recording four top-10 finishes, including a win with driver Jeremy Mayfield in 2000. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native is crew chief of the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolets driven by Vickers.

RAIN CANCELS TEST AT 'THE GLEN': Mother Nature forced GMAC Racing to cancel its scheduled test session at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Monday and Tuesday, but Vickers is still hoping to get in some laps at the 2.45-mile road course prior to the Aug. 15 NEXTEL Cup event at the track. Following Sunday's race at Pocono, the team will again travel New York for a one-day test on Monday.

BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES CHEVROLETS: (ON RETURNING TO POCONO.) "I'm looking forward to getting back to Pocono. I think we have some unfinished business. We ran inside the top-five for most of the race in June until the end when there was the confusion with the opening and closing of pit road during a caution. I don't think we had anything for Jimmie (Johnson) that day, but our car was a lot better than the 13th-place finish we left with."

VICKERS: (WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR FIRST VISIT TO POCONO?) "Turn 3 is where you have to be dialed in to be successful at Pocono. In Turns 1 and 2, you can deal with not being perfect, but not in Turn 3, because it sets you up for everywhere else. If we can be just a little better in that spot this time, we should be in good shape."