CORNELIUS, N.C. – No. 55 Freightliner/Jet Edge Toyota driver Brian Vickers’ limited but amazingly successful NASCAR Sprint Cup season at Michael Waltrip Racing continues this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Sunday’s race marks the seventh of eight scheduled appearances for Vickers who has earned three top-five finishes in 2012. He finished fifth at Bristol in March and posted fourth-place finishes at Sonoma and at his most recent race in Bristol last month. Vickers shares the No. 55 with Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip. His only remaining Sprint Cup race is at Martinsville on Oct. 28.
Vickers has tested for MWR in 2012 and raced with team co-owner Rob Kauffman in sports car races in Belgium, Le Mans and will race Sept. 29 with Kauffman in Bahrain.
VICKERS ON NEW HAMPSHIRE: “It’s going to be great to get back to New Hampshire. We had a great car at the end of the race last time we were there. It will be a solid platform to start from. The energy level of the whole organization has been elevated now that the Chase has started. All of MWR should be proud of the accomplishments of this season. Having Clint and Martin in the Chase is a big feat. I know that feeling from when I made it in 2009. It shows how hard the entire team has worked. It’s no different on the No. 55. (Crew Chief) Rodney (Childers) has had to work with three different drivers and each week puts awesome Toyotas on the track for myself, Mark, and Michael.
“We had an amazing run the second time back to Bristol, so I know we can build on our first race at New Hampshire and have a great showing for the people of Freightliner and Jet Edge who are on board this week. They are very loyal partners to the organization and we appreciate their support whether it’s getting our cars to the track each week or helping to save time and money fabricating new parts in the shop.”
Notes:
· Chassis: 715 finished 15th with Vickers at New Hampshire in July.
· 2012: Only 14 Sprint Cup drivers own more top-fives in 2012 than Vickers. He has the 12th-best average finish. He has led 126 laps.
· New Hampshire: In 14 starts, Vickers owns two-top five finishes and has led 57 laps. He won the pole for the second race in 2009.
· Owner Points: The No. 55 is 14th in owner points. All three MWR’s fulltime teams are in the top 14. The Clint Bowyer’s No. 15 is sixth and Martin Truex’s No. 56 team is ninth.
· Freightliner/Jet Edge: Freightliner is the official hauler of NASCAR and MWR. MWR uses Jet Edge’s water jetting technology to cut car parts in the race shop. Both are longtime MWR supporters.
· No. 55 SCHEDULE: Martin has driven the No. 55 in 18 races in 2012. Vickers in six: (both Bristol, Martinsville, Sonoma, New Hampshire and Watkins Glen. Waltrip in three: Talladega, Daytona (July) and Kentucky.
· NEW STORE: MWR announced the opening of its new team store www.mwrteamstore.com. The online team store is a one-stop shop for all MWR driver and team merchandise.
· CREW LIST
Crew Chief – Rodney Childers
Car Chief – Steve Channing
Front Changer – Ryan Langley
Rear Changer – Shannon Myers
Front Carrier – Chris Hall
Rear Carrier – Mark Kennerly
Jackman – Tony Cardamone
Gas man – Brian Dheel
2nd Gas Man- Greg Moore
Spotter – Jeremy Brickhouse
Engineer – Billy Scott
2nd Engineer – Scott McDougall
Tires – Kevin White
Eng.Tuner- Denny Chandler (TRD)
Shocks – Mike (Nook) McCarville
Interior/7th man- Jacen Johns
Truck Driver – Glenn Shano
2nd Truck Driver – John Murphy
Pit Coach – Greg Miller
