Brian Vickers and Hendrick Motorsports

[Sifty]

Just read that Brian Vickers has asked for his release from Hendrick Motorsports.

It sounds like he had gotten a extention till 09.

Now this opens a spot in the 25 and where will Vickers go?

Sifty

[Uncle Bill]

Vickers is a loser.

He'll most likely end up with toyota.

[OUTDOORNUT]

I thought I was about to read how Hendricks had let him go, but for him to ask for a release??!! He must have something good up his sleeve, otherwise why would you leave the 2nd best orginazation in NASCAR? He still has not proven himself in the elite of Cup boys.

[harvey lee]

I agree with OUTDOORNUT in that why would you leave a great team unless something very good is lined up.I have no idea what could be better than Hendrick other than maybe a ride with a Rousch team.

[jbell1981]

Maybe he got a big offer for getting into a yota. Waltrip and jarret aren't exactly young guns in their prime, so maybe he will be a "young gun" for toyota. Although vickers has not proven him self as a contender in the cup, he probably has potential to a prospecting owner.

[JohnMickish]

I think he has a Toyota deal in the works. I don't think Yates would want him, not proven and what does he really bring to the table?

[NAPAFISH]

I was reading somewhere that UPS wants a younger driver, to combat FedEX-Hamlin combo

[JohnMickish]

That might be but I read that it sounds like UPS is heading over to the #9. This is kind of cool now that sponsors are involved in silly season as well.

[LMITOUT]

Adding more to this story.....I also read that Mears wants to leave Ganassi so that he can move over to Hendrick and fill the spot left by Vickers'.

[VMS]

Could it be that the 25 is like a "cursed" car? No matter what driver has been in it the last 10 years (or basically since Bill Elliott left it years ago after..a one year stint? the team has really done nothing overall that I recall. Ricky Craven didn't do a whole bunch in it, and after coming back from his injury, he has not been the same. Vickers now is seemingly in the same situation... I wonder if it is not the team dynamics that just don't work, no matter what driver is in it. Or...less money is flowing to that team than say the 5...Little wonderboy...

It is almost like how some of the rousch cars were a few years back when Johnny Benson and Chad Little were still with them. Burton seemed to have all things working for him and so did Mark Martin...but not the others. In these multiple car teams, someone always seems to be on the very low end of things. At least rousch has figured something out and has most of his cars running competetively and quite smoothly. Could this whole thing be a product of too many cars in one shop?

Steve

[SkeeterMark]

Yup, looks like Mears is vacating Ganassi to take the 25. He's leaving for sure, and that's the rumor anyway. I think you'll see Vickers in a Toyota. My feeling is he's not a big enough name for the 88. Of course, if UPS goes with DJ, it might be perfect for him, because no one will recognize the 88 anyway. I think Toyota might be a better opportunity for Vickers to get back on track. Yates is pretty lame right now, and I couldn't see leaving Hendrick for Yates.

[jbell1981]

Just heard on the radio this morning that Vickers is moving to the 88 and Mears will be taking over the 25. I would never had guessed that.

[JohnMickish]

Nothing on Jaski yet, they are usually the first to post it. I do believe the 25 is cursed too. Shrader, Nadeu, Craven and even with all of Buds money they couldn't do much. Yes, the Bud car used to be the 25 before Jr. took it.

Who showes the most promise, Mears or Vickers? I don't really know. Both have been in the leage for about the same time and no wins to show for it.

[lawdog]

Skeeter, who do you think Yates could get that's a bigger name right now? I don't see that car as all that desireable given that they seem to be in a state of constant turmoil there these days.

Vickers is young and marketable and that's what matters these days. Look at Stremme, he did nothing in NASCAR and they bumped Sterling out of that car for him just because he's young and marketable. Sterling was a broken vertebrae away from a championship in that car...

[SkeeterMark]

I think you're right lawdog. Yates would have a hard time attracting anyone bigger right now anyway. I still think UPS will go with DJ. They've got a lot of $ tied up in his commercials. Too bad for Vickers, because if that happens, it'll be even tougher sledding over at Yates.

You're right too mnfguy. I think I heard the 25 car has NEVER been to victory lane. Quite an impressive streak if that's correct.

[lawdog]

No, Jerry Nadeau won in that car. Last race of 2000 at Atlanta. Holligan Homes car, I have the diecast...

[LMITOUT]

Joe Nemecheck won Richmond with the #25 car in 2003 driving for Hendrick also.

[NAPAFISH]

Earlier this year at Daytona towards the end. Newman was upset that Mears didnt follow him when he tried to pass. Someone mentioned on TV that Mears was in Jimmie Johnson wedding as a groomsman, after hearing this. I would bet he is a lock for the #25.

As Ldog mentioned earlier about Stremme, it seems that these teams are more concerned about the marketability of the drivers. Stremme, Vickers, Mears Mcmurray really havent done a whole lot at the cup level. It seems they are more coveted because they are good looking, not on driving ability

[JohnMickish]

Isn't that a shame when your driving ability takes second to your marketability. What do you think the racing will be like in 15 years if this keeps up?

[Meaney]

i agree with him most likely landing with toyota.

[JohnMickish]

Just off the news wire at Jaski's.

UPDATE 3:When Brian Vickers got permission from Hendrick Motorsports to look for a new job this week, it started a chain reaction that might include the return of former series champion Bill Elliott. Vickers will drive for Red Bull Racing next year, becoming the third full-time driver listed for Toyota's venture into stock car racing. Casey Mears told car owner Chip Ganassi on Thursday he won't return next year in the #42 Dodge, and on Friday he suggested he will replace Vickers at Hendrick. At the same time, Elliott apparently is mulling a full-time return to the sport - presumably as Vickers' teammate at Red Bull. During a local Atlanta cable television interview Wednesday, Elliott said he hadn't decided whether to make a comeback. He said he's busy with his son's go-cart racing career and a new grandchild, but he wasn't ready to rule out any return. Elliott will drive three races later this year for Red Bull as it gathers information to debut its Camry next year. He also will drive five races for Michael Waltrip Racing, which will field two Toyota teams next year.(Augusta Chronicle)(6-10-2006

[LMITOUT]

I read those earlier this morning (both the UPS and Vickers rumors) and found it interesting how Jayski's says "will" drive for Red Bull Racing yet there have been no announcements or articles elsewhere at other news outlets about this.

[JohnMickish]

Funny thing about Jayski, they are either way off, ie: the rumor was nothing but a rumor or they get wind of things days before they get announced. You have to take it all with a grain of salt for a few days, anyways.

[Uncle Bill]

Bill Elliot driving a toyota ??

I think I'm gonna cry.

[VMS]

I like Bill Elliott too but why should it surprise anyone that he would drive a toyota? He's driven the other big 3...

What surprises me is he is contemplating on coming back to drive more...

Steve