PREVIEW: BRIAN VICKERS (NO. 25 GMAC CHEVROLET)
VENUE: RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (.75-MILE OVAL)
CIRCUIT: NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES (RACE 26 OF 36)
EVENT: SATURDAY, SEPT. 9 (400 LAPS, 300 MILES)
O.A.R. LOOK FOR '25': Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 GMAC Chevrolet will have a different look for this weekend's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. As part of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, Brian Vickers' Monte Carlo SS will feature the colors of his favorite band, O.A.R.
VICKERS AT RIR: In May 2004, Vickers captured both his first NEXTEL Cup pole position and top-10 finish (seventh) at the .75-mile Richmond track. To date, the 22-year-old has earned three career Cup poles and 19 top-10s in 102 starts.
'25' WANTS ANOTHER RICHMOND WIN: The No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports team earned its most recent NEXTEL Cup victory in May 2003 at Richmond, with driver Joe Nemechek winning from the outside pole position. At the time, Vickers was in the midst of his 2003 Busch Series championship season.
VICKERS A TEAM OWNER: Last week an ownership group including Vickers announced the formation of the Hollywood Fame, a new American Basketball Association franchise slated to tip off its season at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in November. Vickers' partners include former pro baseball player Brady Anderson, NFL quarterback Kyle Boller, singer Nick Lachey, retired NBA player John Salley, Stacey Keibler (ABC's "Dancing with the Stars"), actor Geoff Stults (WB's "7th Heaven") and A.J. Discala, CEO of Brax Capital Group.
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MEET VICKERS FRIDAY: Following the completion of Friday's NEXTEL Cup final practice, Vickers will greet fans and sign autographs at the GMAC Racing souvenir hauler outside Richmond International Raceway.
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BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC CHEVROLET: (ON RUNNING WELL, BUT NOT FINSIHING WELL AT RICHMOND.) "I can't remember back to a Cup race at Richmond where we haven't run in the top five or top-10 at some point. We've been caught up in a few wrecks, none of which have been our own doing. The finishes haven't been there, but we've definitely run well there and been fast."
VICKERS: (ON RACING WITH THOSE VYING FOR A SPOT IN THE CHASE.) "Even though there's a lot on the line for those trying to earn a spot (in the Chase), we're going to approach the race just like we would any other week. I'm mindful of the teams going after those 10 spots, but I don't plan on doing anything differently than I have in the previous 25 weeks. You definitely don't want to ruin their night, but we're not going to pull over and let them go by if we're in that situation."
VICKERS: (ON RUNNING A SPECIAL GMAC/O.A.R. PAINT SCHEME AT RICHMOND.) "I'm excited to have O.A.R. on our No. 25 Chevy this weekend at Richmond, especially because they're my favorite band. I've been to some of their concerts and even have had the chance to meet them. I've been told some of the guys are coming to the race on Saturday night. It should be a neat deal."