BRIAN VICKERS NOTES & QUOTES
GARNIER GREEN AT INDY:
Brian Vickers’ NEXTEL Cup ride will sport a different look this weekend at Indianapolis thanks to a bright-green Garnier Fructis design. As it was earlier this season at Texas, the popular unisex haircare brand will be featured on the hood of Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 25 Chevrolet.
‘25’ PICKING UP STEAM:
Over the last three races dating back to Chicagoland Speedway, Vickers and GMAC Racing have posted an average starting position of 4.66 to go along with a 9.66 average finish. Those stats include a pole position at New Hampshire International Speedway and a fourth-place result at Chicagoland.
CHASSIS 353 FOR VICKERS:
Crew chief Lance McGrew has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 353 for this weekend’s NEXTEL Cup festivities at Indy. Sunday will mark the car’s second appearance of 2005 after running June 19 at Michigan International Speedway.
TESTING 1-2-3-4:
Four Hendrick Motorsports teams tested Indianapolis Motor Speedway in advance of Sunday’s 400-mile event. The Nos. 5, 25 and 44 crews prepared Chevrolets July 18-19. The No. 24 DuPont contingent was there July 19.
DRIVE FOR FIVE:
Rick Hendrick leads all car owners with four career victories at Indianapolis -- all by Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 team. Gordon has led an incredible 433 laps in 11 starts -- more than twice the total of second-place Dale Jarrett (186).
BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC/GARNIER FRUCTIS CHEVROLETS:
(HOW WAS THE NEW SURFACE AT INDIANAPOLIS TO DRIVE?) “Indianapolis is Indianapolis. I think they did a great job repaving the track. It’s so smooth. Honestly, I don’t think it’s really any different than it was before. Even with the new pavement, for whatever reason, the track is still extremely temperature-sensitive. The speeds and level of grip change all day long and even though all four corners are identical, they all change in their own ways that affect the car’s handling.”
VICKERS:
(HAS THE BRICKYARD REPLACED THE DAYTONA 500 AS THE RACE TO WIN ON THE SCHEDULE?) “I wouldn’t say Indianapolis has replaced the Daytona 500 as the race to win, but it’s definitely competing for that honor. I think most drivers say they would most like to win the Daytona 500 or the Brickyard if they had a choice. They’re both very, very prestigious. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is special because it’s one of the oldest and most recognized race facilities in motor sports, period. For almost 100 years the track has helped to provide excitement for auto racing in the United States. The Daytona 500 on the other hand has a lot of special meaning to a lot of people, myself included. No matter what people say, the Daytona 500 is still our Super Bowl.”
