BRIAN VICKERS NOTES & QUOTES
‘25’ LOOKING FOR SECOND PIR TOP-FIVE:
Driving a No. 25 GMAC/ditech.com Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway in April, Brian Vickers earned his first career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series top-five result, bringing the car home fifth in his 49th circuit start. Vickers and GMAC Racing have earned four additional top-fives this season.
QUALITY QUALIFIER:
Vickers maintains an average starting position of third at Phoenix International Raceway. In three NEXTEL Cup appearances at the one-mile oval, he has two outside pole positions and one fifth-place start.
ONE-MILE WONDERS:
In five NEXTEL Cup events this season at one-mile tracks -- Dover (twice), New Hampshire (twice) and Phoenix -- Vickers and GMAC Racing have recorded one pole position (New Hampshire), two top-10 finishes and five top-15s. The team has averaged a result of 9.8 at those venues.
CHASSIS 295 FOR GMAC RACING:
Crew chief Lance McGrew has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 295 for this weekend’s NEXTEL Cup festivities at Phoenix. The team utilized the same car to compete in the April event at PIR, leading 50 laps and finishing fifth. It most recently saw action at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway three races ago.
NEXT WIN WILL BE 140TH FOR HENDRICK:
Jeff Gordon’s first-place finish Oct. 23 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway gave Rick Hendrick his 139th Cup-level victory, tying him with legendary team owner Junior Johnson for second on NASCAR’s all-time list (1949-present). Hendrick, who leads all Cup owners in modern-era wins (1972-present), now trails only Petty Enterprises overall.
VICKERS APPEARING AT COURTESY CHEVROLET:
On Friday, Vickers will greet fans and sign autographs at Courtesy Chevrolet in Phoenix beginning at 6:30 p.m. local time.
VICKERS PULLING HOMESTEAD DOUBLE:
In addition to driving in next weekend’s NEXTEL Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Vickers will pilot a No. 57 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the season-ending NASCAR Busch Series event. Vickers tested a pair of No. 57 Ore-Ida Chevys at Homestead on Tuesday.
BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC/ditech.com CHEVROLETS:
(WOULD YOU CONSIDER THIS SEASON A DISAPPOINTMENT IF YOU DO NOT WIN A RACE?) “As a whole, from where we were last year to now is impressive. We’ve come a long way, improved, and learned a lot. I think we’re at a point where we’re ready to go into next season and race for a championship. Win or no win, it’s been a good year for us.”
VICKERS:
(JUST TWO RACES REMAIN IN THE 2005 SEASON. HAVE YOU BEGUN TO PLAN YOUR OFF-SEASON?) “I’ve tentatively made some plans to take a trip. There’s a lot I’d like to do, but the reality of it is there’s just not enough time. I plan on hanging out with some friends, catching up with them and spending the holidays with family. I may be able to sneak in another trip, but I also know once the Christmas holiday is over, attention shifts to Daytona and getting prepped for 2006.”
