CORNELIUS, N.C. — Brian Vickers and the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine team at Michael Waltrip Racing are getting a jump on the 2015 season testing the newly unveiled 2015 Toyota Camry this week at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
After Tuesday and Wednesday’s Goodyear tire test, Vickers and team will travel to Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s 500-mile race on the 1.5-mile ultrafast oval in Fort Worth. The Thomasville, N.C. native finished fourth at Texas in April.
BRIAN VICKERS ON TESTING 2015 CAMRY IN CALIFORNIA: “It was good to get some time behind the wheel of the 2015 Camry (on Tuesday.) We brought a lot of engineers from MWR and Toyota Racing Development to Fontana to work on the car. I don’t know if you have ever been to a test, but it isn’t very exciting for a race car driver. I drive for a couple of laps, tell them what I feel, then the engineers will pour over the data, make some changes and back I go out on the track. We just repeat that throughout the day. It might not be as fun as racing but testing is where we learn what the Goodyear tires, our car and engine like and don’t like. I enjoy the science behind testing. The more you learn in testing the better you will be in the race. With the reduction in testing planned for next season, days like this are very valuable. So far I love what I see with the new Camry. It looks good, and drives good.”
TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: “The thing that jumps out at you at Texas is how fast it is. The pole speed was over 195 mph in April and that’s on a 1.5-mile track. I heard a stat the other day that 21 of the 27 winners at Texas have come from drivers starting in the top 10. That means getting a good start is important so Friday’s qualifying has added emphasis. We won the pole there in 2006 and I’d sure like to get another one on Friday.”
DANCING WITH THE STARS
MWR founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip and his dancing partner, Emma Slater, scored a 56 out 80 from the Dancing with the Stars’ judges on Monday night. The pair danced the Jive to Charlie Daniel’s “Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Fans can vote for Waltrip and Slater by calling 1-800-868-3409, voting on Dancing with the Stars Facebook page or going to abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars. Phone voting begins Monday at 8 p.m. ET and ends one hour after the show. Online voting ends Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. One couple will be eliminated on a live show, Nov. 3 at 8 pm ET on ABC.
Follow the couple’s progress on social media: Twitter: @mw55 @emmaslaterdance Instagram: @emmaslaterdance @mwr55
NOTES:
· CHASSIS: Primary: 815 finished 15th at Atlanta & 10th at Kansas. Backup: 797 finished 7th at California, 6th at Charlotte in May, 26th at Kentucky & 21st at Bristol in August
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
CREW CHIEF BILLY SCOTT: No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Crew Chief Billy Scott 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. The 36-year-old served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons.
· 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.
· 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 Friday 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
· 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.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@brianlvickers
@mw55
@mwrteam
@aaronssports
@aaronsinc
@toyotaracing
