Nascar and Racing Brian Vickers

Latest Brian Vickers Stories

After Crash, Vickers Slams Teammate

Get in the groove for today's race with FanHouse Warmup.

Brian Vickers New Hampshire Motor Speedway Red BullVeteran Brian Vickers couldn't have been less of a Red Bull Racing team player during Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while his teammate Scott Speed handled a dicey situation beautifully.

The two Sprint Cup Series teammates tangled while battling Mike Bliss for fourth on the last lap, sending Vickers into the wall. On the cool-down lap, Vickers bumped Speed numerous times in retaliation.

What Vickers said, though, likely will have some lasting repercussions on the team.

FanHouse Warmup: LifeLock 400

The Essentials

Where: Michigan Int'l Speedway
Time: Sunday 2:00pm/EDT
TV/Radio: TNT, MRN Radio
Twitter: At-track updates at FanHouseRacing
Forecast: 75 degrees, Partly Sunny
Distance: 200 laps (400 miles)
Pole Winner: Brian Vickers
2008 Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Storylines


It's now been a full year since NASCAR's most popular driver was in victory lane and a Dale Earnhardt Jr. win on Sunday would be a nice-sized upset -- though we can't really expect it.

Vickers Riding High, Eyes Red Bull Win

It's been a good week to be Brian Vickers.

First, he completed what was likely the first-ever live-action pit stop in New York City's Times Square (gotta love the Red Bull marketing ideas; video here) and then ESPN reported that he had signed a multi-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing.

Friday, he won the pole for the LifeLock 400 and figures to be a huge favorite come Sunday's race.

FanHouse Warmup: Russ Friedman 400

The Essentials

Race: Russ Friedman 400 by Crown Royal
Where: Richmond Int'l Raceway
Time: Saturday 7:30 p.m./EDT
TV/Radio: FOX Sports, MRN Radio
Twitter: Live updates at FanHouseRacing
Forecast: 60 degrees, 60% chance of rain
Distance: 400 laps (300 miles)
Pole Winner: Brian Vickers
2008 Winner: Clint Bowyer


The Storylines


Who in the world is Russ Friedman?
After winning a promotion though Crown Royal, Saturday night's presenting sponsor, Friedman earned himself naming rights to the event in a program that's been going for a few years now.

Friedman, as it turns out, is a veteran of the war in Iraq and has received -- count 'em -- two purple hearts during his service.

Talladega Marred by Early 13-Car Wreck

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) --The "Big One" hit early at Talladega Superspeedway.

A massive 13-car accident just seven laps into Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway took out race favorites and left it open for an unlikely winner to emerge from the field.

The accident started just seven laps into the race near the front of the field when Matt Kenseth appeared to make contact with series points leader Jeff Gordon.

The bump made Gordon's car slide toward the top of the track, and the drivers running around them couldn't avoid the wreck.

NASCAR Off-Week Check-Up

During one of only four off-weeks all season, it's a good time to breathe and check out the early-season statistics. It's way to early to come to any conclusions, but it's been an interesting few weeks of haves and have-nots.

Here's a look at who's getting the thumbs-up or thumbs-down as we prepare for one of the best shows NASCAR has to offer -- 500 laps at the half-mile Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway next Sunday afternoon.

FanHouse Warmup: Auto Club 500

The Essentials

Where: Auto Club Speedway
Time: Sunday 6 p.m./EDT
TV/Radio: FOX Sports, MRN Radio
Forecast: "Isolated Sprinkles", Cloudy, 76
Distance: 250 laps (500 miles)
Pole Winner: Brian Vickers
2008 Winner: Carl Edwards


The Storylines


After a week of debate about Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s driving abilities and Matt Kenseth's soggy Daytona win, NASCAR as we know it has returned to form.

Tempers Boil After Junior's Daytona Dare

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the talk of the Daytona 500 once again.

Only this time it was all about a punt, not a pass.

Contact between his Chevy and Brian Vickers' Toyota on Lap 125 took out eight other cars -- including the race leader -- and left some of his competitors questioning the fairness of how NASCAR doles out penalties.


More Coverage: Daytona 500 Results | Kenseth Wins | Junior Triggers Crash

Chase Hangover? Not for Kyle Busch

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch hasn't lost a step from 2008.

Well, the Kyle Busch from before the Chase for the Championship, that is.

Thursday afternoon, Busch took his No. 18 Toyota high and then low on the final lap of the second race of the Gatorade Duels at Daytona to block Mark Martin and Brian Vickers and score the victory in the 150-miler.

'08 Rear-View Mirror: Brian Vickers


Warning
: Objects in this post may be the only way to successfully live through the NASCAR off-season. For best results, read rearview mirror early and often.

Driver: Brian Vickers
Team: No. 83 Red Bull Racing Toyota
'08 Final Standing: 19th (-3104)
Best Race: Pocono 500 (2nd-place)
Worst Race: Phoenix, Indianapolis & Lowes (42nd-place)

Season in a box: Aside from a not-so-surprising impressive first year under the Toyota banner for Joe Gibbs Racing, Brian Vickers was easily the brightest star from NASCAR's newest manufacturer with some near-wins and consistent finishes.