[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Vickers tells Hendrick he wants to look for another ride

/ Associated Press
Posted: 1 hour ago
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Brian Vickers got permission from Hendrick Motorsports to look for a new ride.

"Brian came to us recently and expressed his desire to explore opportunities outside our organization," Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex said Thursday. "Although he is under contract, we have given him permission to do so."
Car owner Rick Hendrick has been committed to the 22-year-old Vickers, and recently gave him a multiyear extension that had not been previously announced. That contract will run through 2009.



So it's unclear why Vickers now wants to leave one of NASCAR's super-teams. Hendrick also fields cars for four-time series champion Jeff Gordon - whom Vickers is close friends with - points leader Jimmie Johnson, and 21-year-old hotshot Kyle Busch.
But Vickers has not had success in his two-plus seasons at the Nextel Cup level. While Busch scored two victories during last year's rookie season, Vickers and his No. 25 team are winless with only 17 top 10 finishes in 90 career Cup starts.
Johnson, Gordon and Busch are all ranked in the top 10 of the points standings, but Vickers is a distant 26th.
Essex said the driver was traveling to Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway and not available to comment. It's possible that Vickers may be trying to capitalize on NASCAR's current shortage of available drivers.
Robert Yates Racing has its top seat, the No. 88 Ford, open because Dale Jarrett is leaving at the end of the season and Toyota is still looking for drivers to fill its inaugural 2007 roster. But Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick signed long-term extensions to stay with their current teams, and Casey Mears has repeatedly claimed he wants to work out a deal to remain at Chip Ganassi Racing.
It's left few top-name drivers on the market. Although Vickers doesn't really fit into that group, his upside is tremendous: He's young, marketable and has the potential for a long and productive career - all things current NASCAR teams want in a driver.
At 19, Vickers was hand-picked by the late Ricky Hendrick to join the organization near the end of 2002, when Ricky was given control of a Busch Series team. Vickers went on to win the Busch championship in 2003, and was promoted to the Nextel Cup series the next season.
Despite his youth, Vickers has been around the NASCAR garage a long time. A native of Trinity, N.C., he grew up with Terry Labonte and Kyle Petty's children, and set his sights on a racing career.
He skipped his prom in 2002 to compete in a race at Bristol, and he nearly missed his high school graduation because he was racing that weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

[Smoke842]

WOW, that's big news, Gma. I didn't think anyone would ever want to leave Hendrick.

[stephanie]

wow that actually surprised me. I am surprised he would want to leave, Hendricks gives him a really good ride. I suppose he really hasnt done to much for him(hendricks). I mean look at the other 3 they are doing great.
you have Johnson leading in the points right now, Jeff Gordon in 9th for the points and Kyle Busch in like 10th in the points. I can understand the pressure that must be on Vickers. I wonder how all of this would work out

[Smoke842]

Originally Posted by stephanie

wow that actually surprised me. I am surprised he would want to leave, Hendricks gives him a really good ride. I suppose he really hasnt done to much for him(hendricks). I mean look at the other 3 they are doing great.
you have Johnson leading in the points right now, Jeff Gordon in 9th for the points and Kyle Busch in like 10th in the points. I can understand the pressure that must be on Vickers. I wonder how all of this would work out

Yeah, Stephanie, he's not getting the attention he craves, LOL. Does anyone here have him as one of their favorite drivers? We don't really talk about him that much. I remember when he bumped Mike Bliss out of the way to win that race, was it All-star last year, I think? That didn't sit too well w/me.

[Smoke842]

Just read on Jayski that both Vickers and Mears are rumored to be going to the 88. Vickers might also go to Red Bull Racing to drive for Toyota. That would be really awesome to have Mears go to RYR. He's one of my fav's. Hopefully Dupont won't see this and give Casey a hard time. Lol.

[Team Yates]

Maybe He Wants A New Ride Because He's Sick And Tired Of Just Getting R & D Equipment.

[LSC9901]

Exactly .... R&D. All the big teams have one team that they let do the dirty work. When Kevin Lepage was driving for Rousch he was nothing more than the new idea tester and junk driver. Kevin is from my neck of the woods so I should be a fan but he really isn't all that good so when a major team picks up a 2nd rate driver you can bet it is for R&D. Hendricks can say whatever they want as far as what they provide for Brian and how much they want to keep him but if they are allowing him to consider other options you can bet your last beer (Grandma) that they are more than willing to part with him.

Just my opinion

[TN_Gal]

Originally Posted by Smoke842

Yeah, Stephanie, he's not getting the attention he craves, LOL. Does anyone here have him as one of their favorite drivers? We don't really talk about him that much. I remember when he bumped Mike Bliss out of the way to win that race, was it All-star last year, I think? That didn't sit too well w/me.

Vickers finished 3rd in the 2005 All Star Race....Martin won it (yeah Rousch )

"Still searching for his first Cup victory, Vickers recorded four top-10s in his first full season in 2004. In June '05 Vickers finished a personal-best second at Pocono."

Good luck finding a new ride Dude....not a wise move if you ask me

[Smoke842]

Originally Posted by TN_Gal

Vickers finished 3rd in the 2005 All Star Race....Martin won it (yeah Rousch )

"Still searching for his first Cup victory, Vickers recorded four top-10s in his first full season in 2004. In June '05 Vickers finished a personal-best second at Pocono."

Good luck finding a new ride Dude....not a wise move if you ask me

It was the Open to get into the All-star race that he bumped Bliss out of the way.

[TN_Gal]

Originally Posted by Smoke842

It was the Open to get into the All-star race that he bumped Bliss out of the way.

Well I guess he can put the Open win on his resume...hope it helps

[Smoke842]

Crap, just read on Jayski that Mears might go to the 25. So he would be a Hendrick boy. Ick. Casey, don't, please. DON'T DO IT!!!!

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by Smoke842

Crap, just read on Jayski that Mears might go to the 25. So he would be a Hendrick boy. Ick. Casey, don't, please. DON'T DO IT!!!!

NO NO NO NO NO NO I think I'm going to be sick again.(a green at the gills puking smilie) Frist Jamie, now Casey......My Dodge drivers.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Smoke842

WOW, that's big news, Gma. I didn't think anyone would ever want to leave Hendrick.

He's seen the light!

[LSC9901]

I am neither a hater or lover of Hendricks, but if they feel they have a good driver they will give him everything needed to gain a victory. Mears has great driving abilities. He just doesn't have everything else required to get the job done currently. I fel that the attitude that Johnson has was gained by him and not given to him by Hendricks. They may not like his attitude but I'm sure they like being in the lead in the points standings.

[Smoke842]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I am neither a hater or lover of Hendricks, but if they feel they have a good driver they will give him everything needed to gain a victory. Mears has great driving abilities. He just doesn't have everything else required to get the job done currently. I fel that the attitude that Johnson has was gained by him and not given to him by Hendricks. They may not like his attitude but I'm sure they like being in the lead in the points standings.

I just deleted my response.