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Brian Vickers' comeback is nearly complete with the announcement that he'll be driving the No. 55 Toyota for Michael Waltrip full-time next year.
Vickers had to step out of his Red Bull Racing ride, missing 25 races when he discovered blood clots which required surgery. After he returned in 2011, the energy-drink sponsored team shut its' doors at the end of the year.
Since then he's raced around the world in sports cars. And this year he returned to full-time NASCAR racing took a big step forward with a season-long deal with the in the Nationwide Series with Joe Gibbs Racing where he's fifth in the standing.
Vickers also has driven the No. 55, in the Sprint Cup Series, on a part-time basis the last two seasons for MWR posting several impressive performances including his third career victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14. Plus he drove three races substituting for the injured Denny Hamlin.
“I can't put into words how this makes me feel,” said 29-year-old Vickers. “I've really found my home at MWR over the past few years, and I've enjoyed getting to know the Aaron's associates and customers. I am honored that Aaron's (the sponsor of the No. 55) is welcoming me into their family full-time.
“Knowing that I have a top-notch team and a dedicated sponsor for a full season is a really great feeling every driver dreams about, and like everyone else, I want to win races and win a championship. Michael and co-owner Rob Kauffman are really building something special at MWR and are giving me the tools to accomplish those goals.”
“The relationship with Aaron's is very personal to me because they helped place Michael Waltrip Racing on the map in 2000 when I was running a half dozen Nationwide Series races from a small garage in my backyard. Now they are enabling MWR to continue its growth as we will have three drivers racing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2014 and beyond.
“So much of this confidence comes from the NASCAR fans who continue to support the sponsors of our teams. I want to sincerely thank the NASCAR fans who are Aaron's customers because you make this all happen,” said Waltrip.
Vickers had to step out of his Red Bull Racing ride, missing 25 races when he discovered blood clots which required surgery. After he returned in 2011, the energy-drink sponsored team shut its' doors at the end of the year.
Since then he's raced around the world in sports cars. And this year he returned to full-time NASCAR racing took a big step forward with a season-long deal with the in the Nationwide Series with Joe Gibbs Racing where he's fifth in the standing.
Vickers also has driven the No. 55, in the Sprint Cup Series, on a part-time basis the last two seasons for MWR posting several impressive performances including his third career victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14. Plus he drove three races substituting for the injured Denny Hamlin.
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| Photo: Michael Waltrip Racing |
“I can't put into words how this makes me feel,” said 29-year-old Vickers. “I've really found my home at MWR over the past few years, and I've enjoyed getting to know the Aaron's associates and customers. I am honored that Aaron's (the sponsor of the No. 55) is welcoming me into their family full-time.
“Knowing that I have a top-notch team and a dedicated sponsor for a full season is a really great feeling every driver dreams about, and like everyone else, I want to win races and win a championship. Michael and co-owner Rob Kauffman are really building something special at MWR and are giving me the tools to accomplish those goals.”
“The relationship with Aaron's is very personal to me because they helped place Michael Waltrip Racing on the map in 2000 when I was running a half dozen Nationwide Series races from a small garage in my backyard. Now they are enabling MWR to continue its growth as we will have three drivers racing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2014 and beyond.
“So much of this confidence comes from the NASCAR fans who continue to support the sponsors of our teams. I want to sincerely thank the NASCAR fans who are Aaron's customers because you make this all happen,” said Waltrip.