CORNELIUS, N.C. — Brian Vickers doesn’t mind sharing Michael Waltrip Racing’s secret for success at Bristol Motor Speedway. That secret has led to three top-five finishes in his last four races on the Bristol high banks.
“There’s really not much of a secret,” said the driver of the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota. “MWR builds really good cars. It’s as simple as that.”
It’s not just Vickers who drives to the front.
MWR cars own six top-five finishes in 12 Bristol starts in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Vickers, Bowyer and former teammate Martin Truex Jr. led 222 laps and boasted a 9.3 average finish in those Bristol races.
MWR will field Toyotas for Bowyer and Vickers in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Tennessee half-mile track and the recent success has the drivers at the top of the list of race favorites.
VICKERS ON BRISTOL: “I don’t know why anything should change this weekend. I certainly enjoy Bristol and always have. As I said, our cars are great.”
CHANCES OF WINNING: “There is no doubt in my mind that we are capable of winning. We have great cars. Now there are a lot of things we need to do and we have to fight hard because there is a lot of good competition out there. It’s going to be tough. But I believe we can put this Aaron’s Dream Machine in victory lane.”
AARON’S COMMERCIAL: “I spent the week before Phoenix filming an Aaron’s commercial in Los Angeles. The Mark Martin/Michael Waltrip commercials were so good that I was a little bit worried we couldn’t live up to those. But it was a lot of fun and I think everyone will laugh. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. I saw a little snippet of Michael (Waltrip) wearing a pretty cool shirt. Honestly it’s easy to go out of the way for partners like Aaron’s because they go out of the way for you. Aaron’s has been phenomenal to me over the last two years. For them to step up and be a full time sponsor at MWR and NASCAR this year. For them to support me and this team through everything we have been through. For them to stick with me through last year with my health when they ask for something my answer is, yes! There is no doubt in my mind they treat their customers the same.”
· NO. 55 CREW CHIEF BILLY SCOTT: The 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 has served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons.
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
· AARON’S: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. The Atlanta-based company has grown from 500 to 2,100 stores in that time. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, appliances and computers and offers a variety of flexible payment options. It’s really easy to get started owning at Aaron’s – you are pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise without needing credit. Visit Aarons.com for more information.
· FANTERN: MWR is offering fans a chance to become an official MWR Fantern. This person will get the opportunity to be an “intern” on race day with MWR; duties including 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.
