CORNELIUS, N.C. — The job demands for the driver of the Aaron’s Dream Machine are more than just climbing behind the wheel of the No. 55 for 38 races each year. Like most NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Brian Vickers also makes time for media and sponsor work along with a heavy dose of testing to make his Toyota faster. As the Sprint Cup Series prepares for Saturday night’s Charlotte race, the Michael Waltrip Racing driver’s time is in high demand.
On Tuesday, Vickers spent the majority of the day in Salisbury, N.C. working with Toyota Racing Development engineers. On Wednesday he’ll join Fox Sports 1 in the morning for media work before returning to MWR for an Aaron’s event that night with teenagers from Charlotte area Boys and Girls Clubs. In addition to practice and qualifying Thursday and Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Vickers will attend at least three MWR competition meetings and a Toyota event. He’ll make hospitality visits to Aaron’s, Freightliner and Toyota before racing 500 miles Saturday night.
The Aaron’s crew will test at Phoenix Oct. 14-15 and the following week Vickers will attend MWR sponsor events as well as the Waltrip Brothers Charity Championship in Nashville. He’ll test at California Speedway Oct. 28-29 before closing the season out at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.
It’s a busy schedule, but Vickers wouldn’t have it any other way.
BRIAN VICKERS: “You have to remember I have watched Cup races from a hospital bed when I battled blood clots and the couch when I was racing only in the Nationwide Series. I’m extremely thankful to be so busy. Sure it is a constant struggle to keep a personal life when you are on the go so much, but I’m not a person that can sit still very long. I like meeting people at Aaron’s events, getting to see race fans across the country and interacting with friends in the media. The testing can be tiresome at times, but it’s in testing where our work gets done that will pay dividends on the track. We as drivers are busy, but we are very fortunate. If we ever complain about the schedule it’s because the time demands on the crew are tougher on their families. But everyone in the sports feels very fortunate.”
MEDIA INVITED TO STEM AT MWR: Aaron’s, Inc. will partner with several area Boys & Girls Clubs 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday to host “The Science Of Speed,” an event designed to give teenagers an exciting and educational look at how a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education can pave the way to a future in NASCAR. The event will transform Michael Waltrip Racing into an interactive learning experience with appearances from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers and his crew. Aaron’s and Michael Waltrip Racing developed an instructive program to give Boys & Girls Club members a hands-on experience, demonstrating how a STEM education is applied in the motorsports industry. Media are invited to this event.
NOTES:
· CHASSIS: Primary: 814—Clint Bowyer finished 16th at Indy in this chassis. Backup: 797-seventh at California, sixth at Charlotte, 26th at Kentucky & 21st at Bristol.
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MWR 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 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 Oct. 31 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. If Brian Vickers finishes 1-10 in Texas, fans can win:
6th–10th Finish – 20 Members randomly chosen to win an Aaron’s/MWR T-Shirt
2nd–5th Finish – 5 Members randomly chosen to win a 32” Magnavox LED
1st-Place Finish – 1 Member randomly chosen to win a $5,000 Aaron’s shopping spree
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.
MWR ONLINE FAN STORE: The new Michael Waltrip Racing online team store is now open. Sign up now at to get discounts and merchandise specials emailed to you. With over 100 items in stock, this is the place to get all your MWR gear.
