DARLINGTON DOUBLE FOR VICKERS:
On Friday at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Brian Vickers will begin a limited 2005 NASCAR Busch Series schedule in the No. 57 Chevrolets of Hendrick Motorsports. His next circuit start will come May 28 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
VICKERS MAKING FIRST NBS START SINCE '03:
Friday evening's event will mark Vickers' first Busch Series start since capturing the circuit title at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2003. Vickers, who was 20 at the time, remains the youngest-ever driver to earn a championship in any of NASCAR's top-three touring divisions. He will pilot a No. 57 Pizza Hut Chevrolet at Darlington.
MUSICAL PIT CREWS:
Although Labonte will not compete at Darlington this weekend, the pit crew of his No. 44 Hendrick Motorsports team is scheduled to make an appearance. Vickers will receive service from Labonte's over-the-wall group in Friday's Busch Series race.
VICKERS STILL YOUNGEST DARLINGTON WINNER:
By virtue of winning the August 2003 Busch Series event at 19 years old, Vickers became the youngest-ever driver to visit Victory Lane at Darlington Raceway. Saturday will mark the third career Cup-level start for the Thomasville, N.C., native at the 1.366-mile oval.
DESIGN YOUR 'ULTIMATE RACING ROOM':
Less than one month remains in ditech.com's Ultimate Racing Room Challenge II. Contestants can visit www.ditechracing.com to create their own Ultimate Racing Room and submit a short essay for consideration. One grand-prize winner will receive a $50,000 room remodel courtesy of ditech.com. The promotion runs until May 31.
MAKE IT A HENDRICK DOZEN:
Rick Hendrick leads all car owners with 11 Cup Series wins at Darlington Raceway. Junior Johnson is second with 10 first-place finishes, while three are tied for third-place with eight victories.
BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC/ditech.com CHEVROLETS:
(HOW HAS YOUR MOM, RAMONA, SUPPORTED YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?) "It's really hard to describe, but she's always been there for me. No matter what, I've always had her support. Growing up, when my mom realized the passion I had for racing, she was behind me 100 percent and that's a lot to ask of a mom, especially because of the danger associated with our sport. Never has it been a case of me being involved in racing by myself, because she's been with me the entire way. My mom is very much responsible for helping me to get to where I am now. I'll always be grateful for the sacrifices she's made for me."
VICKERS:
(WHAT MAKES DARLINGTON RACEWAY YOUR FAVORITE TRACK ON THE CIRCUIT?) "It's old, the pavement is worn out and the track has character -- lots of it. We go to so many tracks with similar configurations, but nowhere compares to Darlington. The place is messed up. Turns 1 and 2 are different from Turns 3 and 4. The frontstretch used to be the backstretch. I still hear people refer to the backstretch as the frontstretch. It's crazy, but it's fun."
