'25' MOVIN' ON UP:
A pair of 21st-place finishes at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and California Speedway have driver Brian Vickers and GMAC Racing resting 20th in points heading into this weekend's event at Las Vegas. So far, the team's efforts have them nine places higher in the NEXTEL Cup standings compared to one year ago.
VICKERS AT VEGAS:
Since joining Hendrick Motorsports for the 2003 season, Vickers has made two starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway -- both producing top-10 starting positions. In 2003, Vickers qualified sixth for the NASCAR Busch Series event at the 1.5-mile oval and last season started third in his track debut in the NEXTEL Cup Series.
LEADING THE PACK:
At California Speedway two weeks ago, Vickers picked up five bonus points for leading a lap, the first of 2005 for GMAC Racing. The team did not lead a lap until the ninth race of the 2004 season at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
NEW CAR FOR VICKERS:
The No. 25 team will field a brand new GMAC/ditech.com Chevrolet for this weekend's 400-miler at Las Vegas. Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 333 will make its first-ever laps during Friday morning's NEXTEL Cup practice session.
'25' TO TEST BRISTOL:
GMAC Racing is scheduled to test at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Tuesday, March 15. The team already has completed tests at California, Daytona and Las Vegas this season.
BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC/ditech.com CHEVROLETS:
(NOW THAT YOU'VE RACED AT CALIFORNIA, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE SPOILER REDUCTION?) "Getting used to the lack of spoiler was tough. A lot of the 'aero-push' we suffered in the past has been eliminated, but it's not completely gone. Since we now have a smaller spoiler, our cars are punching a much smaller hole in the air, which provides more airflow over the nose of the second or third car in a line and allows the car to not be as tight. But when someone is on your bumper, it's a different story because they really can loosen your car with a lot less effort."
VICKERS:
(ON THE TEAM'S PERFORMANCE DURING THE SEASON'S FIRST TWO RACES?) "I'm excited about our performances so far. If you look at Daytona, we were running inside the top-10 when were caught up in an accident that wasn't our fault, but managed to finish on the lead lap, damaged car and all. In California, we started second, led a lap, picked up five bonus points and ran inside the top-10 before our engine problems. We're moving in the right direction and that's what has me so excited."
