CORNELIUS, N.C. — Few races change lives, but last year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway certainly altered the life and career of Brian Vickers.
The 30-year-old raced the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota on a part-time basis in 2013. He arrived at NHMS seeking a way back to full-time Sprint Cup racing after battling blood clots earlier in his career.
Vickers left the “Magic Mile” with the trophy and a month later announced a fulltime ride with Aaron’s sponsorship at Michael Waltrip Racing.
This year Vickers arrives at NHMS a week after a second-place finish in Daytona. He’s battling for a spot in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, which he’ll likely secure with a repeat trip to victory lane. The No. 55 team tested at NHMS July 1-2 in preparation for this race.
VICKERS ON LAST YEAR’S NHMS RACE: “It was huge. It was extremely important for so many reasons trying to reaffirm my career back in the Sprint Cup Series — obviously winning always helps. But, I think for me personally it was a huge accomplishment going from not knowing if I would ever race again to being back in victory lane in the Sprint Cup Series, which was a goal. My ultimate goal when I decided to come back was to win, but to also win the championship. But, that was a huge step in the right direction and I was just so thankful to have the opportunity to race in the 55 car with MWR, Aaron’s and Toyota. The opportunity they gave me after being out for so long was huge and something I’ll never forget and the ability to be a part of that team to get back in victory lane was very special. Something that will always mean a lot to me.”
PRESSURE TO WIN AND GET INTO THE CHASE: “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it, but I really just try to live in the moment and focus on the moment. And every single time I get in that race car, every single time I work with a crew I just try to put my very best foot forward and do it with honesty, integrity and passion. That’s all I can do. If that’s not enough on a given weekend, that’s just not enough. We’re focusing on winning and doing the best we can in practice, doing the best we can in qualifying and doing the best we can in the race.”
NOTES:
· CHASSIS: Primary: 805 finished ninth at Bristol & 14th at Kansas. Backup: 812 finished 43rd at Dover.
· 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 July 11 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: 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.
· 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.
· #ASKMWR: Throughout race weekends in 2014 MWR will collect questions hash-tagged #AskMWR on its @MWRteam Twitter handle. No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Jackman Wes Evans will host a three-minute video each Wednesday on www.michaelwaltripracing.com featuring MWR experts answering the best fan questions from the weekend.
· 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
· FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@brianlvickers
@mw55
@mwrteam
@aaronssports
@aaronsinc
@toyotaracing
