New Addition to the Family

Surprise! Brian Vickers has joined Joe Gibbs Racing! If you are thinking, "What? Who is Brian Vickers?" let me refresh your memory. Vickers hasn't been in a full-time ride since 2011, before Red Bull Racing left NASCAR. He drove the #83 RBR Toyota along side Kasey Kahne. In 2012 he has shared the #55 MWR ride with veteran Mark Martin and owner Michael Waltrip. In the 4 or 5 races he has competed in, he has done a phenomenal job! And I'm not exaggerating. He has had a few Top 5 finishes and has rarely finished outside the Top 10. Vickers will not be in another Cup ride for 2013, but announced that Dollar General will extend their contract to sponsor Vickers for a full-time Nationwide ride. DG also will sponsor Matt Kenseth's #20 Cup car for 17 races next season. Vickers will compete for the NNS title and seems extremely satisfied with the opportunity.

“I'm very happy to stay in the Toyota family, and when you look at the Nationwide Series over the past several years, no team has dominated like Joe Gibbs Racing,” Vickers said about the announcement. 

Normally, drivers would not want to switch from Cup to the lower level in Nationwide, but Vickers hasn't been in a racecar for a full season for some time. Like Vickers said, JGR is a strong team to be with in the Nationwide series. They have had tremendous success in the past and Vickers, being in the sport for a while now, will be the perfect fit. He has the talent and passion it takes to win the championship.

I attended one of Brian Vickers' appearances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway back in July and he has an incredible knowledge for the sport. He has raced sports cars in the past and can adapt to change easily. Vickers will be a great addition for JGR's Nationwide Series team. I believe he has what it takes to be the 2013 Nationwide Champion.