CORNELIUS, N.C. — Every racer is optimistic going to the Daytona 500, but forgive Brian Vickers if he’s a little more reflective on this year’s season-opener than most of the drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This year’s “Great American Race” means so much, in so many different ways, to the 30-year-old Vickers:It marks his return after missing the final four races of the 2013 season when medicine to combat a blood clot in his leg kept him out of action.
The 2014 season is also his first since 2011 with a full time ride—a ride that Aaron’s will sponsor in every race. Vickers along with MWR teammate Clint Bowyer, who drives the No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota, expect to figure in the championship battle. Veterans Jeff Burton and Michael Waltrip will share partial season driving and testing duties in MWR’s No. 66 Toyota also aiding Vickers and Bowyer.
Make no mistake, Vickers’ sentimentality will last until the engines fire in Florida. Then he’ll focus on winning NASCAR’s most prestigious race and a title.
DAYTONA: “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Daytona in a Sprint Cup car. — I guess it’s been since 2011. To get back down there is going to be special. That race track has always been special to all race car drivers. The first time you go there it is amazing. I’m curious to see if it feels the same this year — that excitement and energy and that love as it did the first time I went to Daytona. You’ll have to ask me when I get there. I have a feeling it will. I think being gone for so long and going through so much since the last time I was there, it’s going to have a similar kind of feel to it for me and that’s a great feeling.”
2014 GOALS: “We want to win races and win a championship. Really, not to make it sound too simple, because it’s certainly not simple. We want to go out and try to win multiple races, we want to try to sit on poles and we want to try to win a championship and I think the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine team can do that. I think we have a great group of guys. Most of it is the same group of guys. Billy (Scott, crew chief) is going to be leading the team, which I’m really excited about. He’s been the engineer on that team now for some time and I think he’s ready to step up to that role and be the leader and we can go out there and do it.”
RACING: “I’ve missed being in a race car for the past three months, for sure. I’ve also enjoyed having some time off. It’s been fantastic being able to spend some time with my wife and going on a honeymoon in January, which was great, which we didn’t think we would ever get to do. The clots presented a big problem, but also a little bit of an opportunity to take some time off, which was nice. I’m ready to go.'”
NOTES
· CHASSIS: 753 Michael Waltrip finished 5th at Daytona in July in this chassis.
· AARON’S: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. The Atlanta-based company has grown from 500 to 2,100 stores in that time. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, appliances and computers. It’s really easy to get started owning at Aaron’s – you are pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise without needing credit. Right now you can save up to $100 off any new lease agreement with Aaron’s MAX YOUR TAX Savings Event. Hurry in and help your tax refund go further than ever!
· BILLY SCOTT: The Daytona 500 marks the first race for No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Crew Chief Billy Scott. The 36-year-old began racing motorcycles as a 5-year-old and stock cars when he turned 15. He worked in the truck series as a mechanic before he returned to college to obtain an engineering degree. After graduating in 2005 Scott worked at Robert Yates Racing and began as an engineer at MWR in 2008. He has served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons.
· SOCIAL STOP: Make MWR’s “Social Stop” your second screen to follow all the racing and social media action when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this weekend. MWR’s “Social Stop” goes live race morning allowing fans to view information from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube all on one page. Twitter feeds from MWR drivers, media members and NASCAR fans will populate the page. Visit www.facebook.com/michaelwaltripracing or www.MichaelWaltripRacing.com/social.
· FANTERN: MWR is offering fans a chance to become an official MWR Fantern. This person will get the opportunity to be an “intern” on race day with MWR; duties including helping the pit crews with set-up activities, attending driver appearances and getting full access to the pit and garage areas. Fans can write in a submission to webmaster@michaelwaltrip.com or share a video on our social channels explaining why they should be the Fantern at the race of their choosing during the 2014 season.
NO. 55 AARON’S DREAM MACHINE CREW:
Billy Scott Crew Chief
Ryan Langley Front Tire Changer
Chris Hall Front Tire Carrier
Shannon Myers Rear Tire Changer
Blake Haugland Rear Tire Carrier
Wes Evans Jack Man
Jeff Kerr Gas Man
Steve Channing Car Chief
David Cropps Interior Mechanic
Roman Pemberton Spotter
Brandon Pope Race Engineer
Joe Bisson 2nd Engineer
Jeremy Sharpley Shock Specialist
Jacen Johns Front Mechanic
Joe Zanolini Rear Mechanic
Kevin White Tire Specialist
Denny Chandler Engine Tuner
Tim Bruce Engine Engineer
Glenn Shano Truck Driver
Al Nelson 2nd Truck Driver
· WEEKEND TV SCHEDULE
Date Saturday Feb. 15
Practice 10:30 a.m. FS1
Practice 1:30 p.m. FS1
Sprint Unl. 8:00 p.m. FS1
Date Saturday Feb. 16
Qualifying 1:00 p.m. Fox
