(For each of the 36 races during the 2011 Sprint Cup season, TUMS will provide a brief historical recap of a moment when a team fought back to overcome an obstacle, one that can easily be described as a TUMS “Fights Back Fast” Moment. This week, the focus is on Richmond International Raceway).
Vickers uses summer surge, Richmond finish to earn chase berth
The date was Sept. 12, 2009. Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Racing Toyota, entered the 26th and final race to make the 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup on the outside looking in. He arrived at Richmond International Raceway 20 points out of 12th.
NOTE: TUMS is the sponsor of the TUMS Fast Relief 500, the seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, at Martinsville Speedway on October 30.
Race winner Denny Hamlin dominated the race, leading 299 of 400 laps en route to the win. Vickers didn’t lead a lap himself. But he did what he needed, finished as high as he possibly could and collected as many points as he could, hoping it would be enough to elevate him into the elite 12.
Vickers mounted an aggressive charge in the final laps to finish seventh. He secured a Chase berth by a mere eight points, edging Kyle Busch for the spot. A summer run of seven top-10 finishes in nine races was the catalyst for Vickers’ Chase run.
“Everyone knows that Kyle and I have had our differences and don’t always get along,” Vickers said. “But the last two weeks, we raced each other really hard and clean and I really appreciate that.”
