BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing
How did your visit go yesterday with the Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club talking about Math, Science and Engineering?
“It worked out great. It’s a really interesting program that Aaron’s has helped put together and support. We’ve had the opportunity this year to visit with various Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, specifically we did some stuff around the races in Talladega and Daytona. A lot of it for Aaron’s is just supporting the communities, support the young men and women of the future and grow leadership. Then a lot of it is around STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program. It’s something that is a big push nationwide. I learned about it through the support from Aaron’s with this Boys and Girls Club program and come to find out both my nephews are in it as well. It’s been great. It’s probably the most time I’ve spent within the Boys and Girls Club organization this past year and I’ve just been really, really impressed. It’s such a solid organization on what they do for kids, the mentorship and the guidance at such a young age all the way through school gives them a great after-school program. Just to be a small part of that has been special for me and Aaron’s as well.”
What types of things did you do during your visit at the Boys and Girls Club yesterday?
“A lot of it was speaking to the boys and girls there and speaking to them about their future, about education, the importance of it, engineering and science, technology and how it effects what we do for a living in the NASCAR community and these race cars. Aaron’s almost always, I don’t know about every event, but most all of them has four or five guys from the team, usually engineers, pit guys, Billy (Scott, crew chief) has done it a couple of times and talked to the boys and girls about how they got their start and how they provide a living for their family in the NASCAR world and how engineering and the degrees they developed growing up to support them.”
What is it like to return to your race car after missing a few races like Tony Stewart is doing this weekend?
“It’s a great question and one I unfortunately know what the answer is. I’ve been out (of the car) several times now and unfortunately Tony (Stewart) has as well. I think the biggest is excitement — really excited to get back in that race car. Appreciation I think is another emotion that you really feel. Just the fact that you are able to get back in the car and you’re able to get back in it again. At the end of the day at this level, yeah there’s a lot of parts to this job that it does become a job, it’s work, but at the end of the day we do this because we love it and we love being in the race car and love going fast. I’m so happy to see Tony back in the car. I have so much respect for that guy and we’ve missed him since he’s been away and I can’t wait to get out there and race with him a little bit.”
Do you think it’s okay that Tony Stewart can still make the Chase even though he’s been out of the car a few races?
“I think it was certainly a rare and tragic situation and I’m glad NASCAR saw the circumstances. Listen, as someone who has been out of the car several times for medical incidents, I’m happy to know if I was out of the car for some reason that I’d get a chance to get back in the Chase. Last year, a similar thing happened — we won a race and then I was out for medical reasons. Knowing that I’d still be able to be in the Chase is great. There’s a lot of circumstances that I don’t know exactly how they’d handle them. Obviously they’ve set a precedent here with Tony (Stewart). One day I’d like to have kids. Does that mean I get to be at the hospital with my wife if she’s having our first child even if it means missing a race but I can still make the Chase? I think if that’s the precedent that they’re going to set. As someone who has missed races, for me it’s a good one. Hopefully I never have to miss another one and it’s a non-issue, but I can appreciate and understand where they’re coming from.”
How much more pressure will there be to win at Richmond for those drivers still looking to get into the Chase?
“I think there’s two races left and it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be intense. These next two races, knowing that it’s not just about the guys on the cusp for points, it’s about anyone that can win. The intensity is going to kick in. To be honest with you, it’s been there all year. I think that every week you show up, your goal is to win and you do everything you can to try to get that win.”
Do you feel Hendrick Motorsports has the most horsepower in the garage?
“Yeah, by a lot. It’s definitely, like some of those guys have said, they’re strong right now and it’s tough. Hopefully one day we’ll be on the other side of that cycle and they’ll be chasing us. But, right now for whatever reason they definitely have everyone beat in the engine department.”
