CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers says NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on road courses is so exciting it’s time the sport’s leaders take it global. He believes Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway will be as good a race as any motorsports fan will watch on a road course in 2014.
Vickers has good reason to think he and Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Clint Bowyer will be part of Sunday’s excitement. MWR’s success— two consecutive victories and four top-five finishes in the last six races—plus Vickers’ experience gained racing sports cars around the world make the No. 55 team one of the race favorites.
BRIAN VICKERS: “Road racing is something I’m excited about. I think the time I spent overseas road racing really helped me a lot. I’m really looking forward to Sonoma — that is sort of one I have circled so to speak. There are certain tracks that you look forward to. I like to race there and the team has good cars there. Road racing is wild and interesting. Our road racing is the best in the world. There’s a lot of great road racing out there — Le Mans was going on last weekend and I had the opportunity to race there. That is an awesome event, but unquestionably I think our cars put on a better show on a road course. I would love to see our sport expand. Everybody talks about adding more road races and I’m all for it, but just don’t add another Watkins Glen. I love Watkins Glen, but let’s go somewhere else, let’s go international, let’s go to other continents — if we’re going to add road racing let’s go to new markets. I think NASCAR will put on the best road race that any road race track we’ve gone to has ever seen. I love those tracks around the world. I think the time I spent in sports cars made me like them even more.”
IF TEAMS SHOULD IGNORE POINTS IN 2014: “You look at history and that would tell us that there’s not going to be 16 winners coming into the Chase after 26 races, but history changes right? There’s always a first time for everything. Our goal as a team is to stay as high in the points as we can and get a win. We’d love for the Aaron’s Dream Machine to have multiple wins, but we’re focused on both. I don’t think we can just throw the points out the window. Even though everything that has been done to the points is to emphasize winning, the guy that would have won the championship last year never would have won a race. So, I don’t think you can throw the points out the window yet.”
NOTES:
· CHASSIS: Primary 772 never raced but Vickers tested this car at Sonoma on March 25 & 26. Backup 771 never raced.
· FANTERN: Each week MWR offers fans a chance to become an official MWR Fantern. This person will get the opportunity to be an “intern” on race day 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.
· AARON’S: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. The Atlanta-based company, with more than 2,130 stores across the country, helps customers own the life they want. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, and appliances with a variety of flexible payment options. It’s really easy to “Own it” at Aaron’s with customers who are now pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise without needing credit. Visit Aarons.com to find a store near you.
· #ASKMWR: Throughout race weekends in 2014 MWR will collect questions hash-tagged #AskMWR on its @MWRteam Twitter handle. No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Jackman Wes Evans will host a 3-minute video each Wednesday on www.michaelwaltripracing.com featuring MWR experts answering the best fan questions from the weekend.
· CREW CHIEF BILLY SCOTT: The 2014 Daytona 500 marked 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 served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons.
· 55 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
