CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers visits one of racing’s most historic venues this weekend when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Sunday’s 400-mile race.
The 30-year-old Vickers will make history no matter how his Michael Waltrip Racing team performs on the famed 2.5-mile oval. Sunday’s race marks Vickers’ 300th Sprint Cup Series start in a career that began with a 33rd-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11, 2003. Only 11 drivers from the 43-car field in that race still have fulltime rides in 2014. Vickers also has history on his side on Sunday. Five drivers have won in their 300th Sprint Cup start including a driver in each of the last three seasons.
VICKERS ON 300TH START: “Wow, 300 starts already? That’s pretty hard to believe. I would have never guessed it’s been that many. I just feel extremely blessed. I’ve been with good teams and great people over the years. There are a lot of people who played a role in getting me to where I am today and I’m very appreciative for everyone’s hard work over the years. Making it to 300 starts in this sport is certainly a big milestone and I couldn’t have done it on my own.”
INDIANAPOLIS: “There isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I haven’t raced a Sprint Cup car at Indy since 2011 so this weekend will be special. We finished fourth there in the Nationwide Series last year. I’ve been fortunate enough to race at the world’s best tracks like Daytona, Spa in Belgium and others and Indy ranks up there.”
WINNING AT INDY: “It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you grew up in stock car racing or open wheel or outside our country, everyone recognizes winning at Indianapolis as a major career achievement. That trophy is one that you will put on the mantle.”
FIVE 300TH START WINNERS IN NASCAR HISTORY: “That’s cool. Let’s hope history repeats itself.”
NOTES:
· DECAL: The No. 55 will carry a special decal this weekend honoring Vickers’ 300th start in the Sprint Cup Series.
· 300TH START WINNERS:
Ned Jarrett in Birmingham in 1965
Rusty Wallace at Atlanta in 1993
Kasey Kahne at Charlotte in 2012
Kyle Busch at Texas in 2013
Denny Hamlin at Talladega in 2014
· Aaron’s Racing Rewards Member Program: 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 Aug. 22, 2014 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.
· CREW CHIEF BILLY SCOTT: The 2014 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 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
· FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@brianlvickers
@mw55
@mwrteam
@aaronssports
@aaronsinc
@toyotaracing
