CORNELIUS, N.C. — No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers speaks of several objectives he’d like to reach in the final seven races of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
But, the primary goal is simple:
Win.
In their first full year together, the Michael Waltrip Racing driver and team climbed to eighth in points entering the June Dover race. After a frustrating summer the team recently rekindled the momentum that once made it a Chase contender.
BRIAN VICKERS ON 2014 GOALS: “We want to win. That’s why we show up every weekend. Everyone on the Aaron’s Dream Machine has done a great job. We had a great start to the season. We were top 10 in points and at Dover we had mechanical problems leaving us with a 43rd-place finish. We had a problem the next weekend and started losing our momentum. The wind got sucked out of our sails and it was frustrating. It was a tough summer.
“The guys have been doing a great job building new cars and toward the end of the summer we started getting faster and faster. That showed leading 15 laps at New Hampshire. The only thing missing from our season is that win. We are more than competitive enough to be racing in the Chase, but we aren’t. It’s our first year as a team. I am really proud of some of the runs we have had and we’ve made some mistakes, myself included. We learned from those mistakes and plan to use that knowledge to win some races this year then take that momentum into next year and race for a championship.”
NOTES:
· DANCING WITH THE STARS: While Vickers and teammate Clint Bowyer battle on the track, MWR founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip and his dance partner Emma Slater advanced to the fourth round of Dancing with the Stars. Waltrip and Slater danced a Waltz on Monday’s show earning a score of 28 from the judges. Fans can vote for Waltrip and Slater by calling a 1-800-868-3409, voting on Dancing with the Stars Facebook page or going to abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars. Voting begins Monday at 8 p.m. ET and ends Tuesday 8 p.m. ET. One couple will be eliminated on a live show, Monday, Oct. 6 at 8 pm ET on ABC. Follow the couple’s progress on social media: Twitter: @mw55 @emmaslaterdance Instagram: @emmaslaterdance @mwr55
· CHASSIS: Primary: 815-finished 15th at Atlanta. Backup: 797-seventh at California, sixth at Charlotte, 26th at Kentucky & 21st at Bristol
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
MWR 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.
· 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 Oct. 31 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. If Brian Vickers finishes 1-10 in Texas, fans can win:
6th–10th Finish – 20 Members randomly chosen to win an Aaron’s/MWR T-Shirt
2nd–5th Finish – 5 Members randomly chosen to win a 32” Magnavox LED
1st-Place Finish – 1 Member randomly chosen to win a $5,000 Aaron’s shopping spree
AARON’S INC: 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.
· MWR ONLINE FAN STORE: The new Michael Waltrip Racing online team store is now open. Sign up now at to get discounts and merchandise specials emailed to you. With over 100 items in stock, this is the place to get all your MWR gear.
