CORNELIUS, N.C. — This is an important weekend for No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers.
The Michael Waltrip Racing driver knows he has to win Sunday night’s 500-mile race at Atlanta Motor Speedway or the Sept. 6 race at Richmond to secure a spot in NASCAR’s 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup. With three top-five and seven top-10 finishes already in 2014, Vickers expects to contend in each of the events.
Vickers also has a busy weekend away from the track that begins Thursday night when he joins his No. 55 teammates at the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta. The driver and team will talk to the club members about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math. It marks the third time this season the Aaron’s team has spent time with Boys & Girls Club members. Vickers and crew met Boys & Girls Club members in both Talladega and Daytona this season.
“These events are a lot of fun because we get to meet the kids and the guys on the crew show them how much we use math, science and engineering on our race car. Whether it’s showing them the tires, aero or setting up the car, you can see how their eyes light up when we start applying the lessons they learn in school,” said Vickers.
“They ask a ton of questions and really get into it. On Saturday, Aaron’s will bring the club members out to Atlanta Motor Speedway to see us practice. The hope is it sparks something in them and maybe someday we’ll see them in the Sprint Cup garage.”
In May, Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced a national partnership with Aaron’s Foundation. Aaron’s $1 million sponsorship of BGCA supports Keystone, its premier national teen leadership and character program. The partnership empowers teens to effect positive change in their Club and community through service projects and leadership. It marked Aaron’s first national philanthropic partnership and a commitment to developing leadership among the nation’s teen population.
· CHASSIS: Primary: 815 has not raced. Backup: 801 finished 13th at Las Vegas.
· TESTING: Vickers joined teammate Clint Bowyer Monday & Tuesday testing at Chicagoland Speedway.
No. 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
· No. 55 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.
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· AARON’S RACING REWARDS: Join Aaron’s Racing Rewards and take advantage of exclusive member benefits such as at-track discounts from Michael Waltrip Racing and FanVision. Become a member by Sept. 26 and you’ll be automatically entered in our Racing Rewards Sweepstakes where the grand prize is a $5,000 shopping spree at Aaron’s! Visit www.aarons.com/racingrewards for more information.
· AARON’S INC: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series 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.
