There’s comeback stories in racing, and then there’s the comeback of one Brian Vickers. It’s not very often that a driver can say they had a life-altering experience to make them realize what they love, but this is one of them.
In 2009, Vickers finally was able to get the first win for his then-team at Red Bull Racing, and he was looking forward to a strong season the next year. But, before it ever got any footing, it was taken away. Not because he made a mistake and NASCAR caught him, it’s because of his own life.
Doctors discovered that in both his legs and his lungs were blood clots, cutting circulation to vital areas of his body. Almost immediately, doctors told him he needed to step out of the car, as his life depended on it. Being out of the sport he loved had to kill Vickers inside, but if he didn’t take care of himself and treat his clots, chances are he was likely going to lose the battle in life. He returned to driving in 2011, with the same team but a new teammate in Kasey Kahne. But, he then learned along with everyone that Red Bull Racing would be no more at the end of the year.
In a matter of two years, he was not only out of a car, but out of a job. About as low as one can expect.
But, Michael Waltrip saw his potential, and gave him an offer to be a part-time driver in his No. 55 entry in 2012, as Mark Martin was not signed up for a full season of competition. Vickers, since he didn’t have a ride shortly after the season began, took the offer. His first race was at Bristol, and he made sure people knew his name and he could still compete. He qualified well, worked well with his team, and led many laps.
It was clear he still had it, but the full-time opportunity didn’t yet arrive…until Joe Gibbs Racing asked him to be the teammate to Elliott Sadler for Nationwide competition. A former Nationwide champion himself, he was eager to get back to full-time duty and has done very well.
All the while, he’s wanted to get back to victory lane at the top level.
Finally, all the cards fell his way. He held off Tony Stewart on a late restart, imposing his will to win, and taking control when it mattered the most. The No. 55 in victory lane meant so much to his owner, but it was more important to the driver. It was a long time coming for him, not as a driver, but as a person. He fought back from what could have been a life-ending medical situation to go back into the sport he loves and win against the very best in the sport.
Vickers has made it known he can win at the top level, and deserves a full-time ride at that level. Welcome back to victory lane, Mr. Brian Vickers.
RESULTS: 1-Vickers 2-Kyle Busch 3-Burton 4-Keselowski 5-Almirola 6-Johnson 7-Harvick 8-Edwards 9-Kenseth 10-Gordon
NOTABLE FINISHES: 11-Kahne 14-Earnhardt Jr. 21-Hamlin 26-Stewart
CAUTIONS: 12 for 58 laps. Lap 5-9 (#22 Accident-T1), 15-21 (#9, 13, 29, 51 Accident-FS), 80-82 (Debris), 124-128 (#11 Slowed on track), 157-161 (Debris), 203-207 (Debris), 211-213 (Debris), 219-222 (#10 Spin-T2), 226-234 (#39, 78, 20, 5 Accident-T2), 238-242 (#17, 93, 10 Accident-T1), 259-262 (#24, 27 Accident-T2), 298-300 (Debris).
LEAD CHANGES: 10 among 6 drivers. Keselowski 1-9, Kyle Busch 10-62, Kurt Busch 63-74, Keselowski 75-77, Kurt Busch 78-123, Keselowski 124, Kenseth 125-157, Keselowsi 158, Kurt Busch 159-202, Stewart 203-286, Vickers 287-302.
TIME OF RACE: 3 Hrs, 14 Mins, 10 Secs.
AVERAGE SPEED: 98.735 MPH
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.582 Seconds
POINTS (Top-10, Wild Cards): 1. Johnson, 696 points; 2. Bowyer, -56; 3. Edwards, -73; 4. Harvick, -74; 5. Earnhardt Jr, -118; 6. Kenseth, -120; 7. Kyle Busch, -120; 8. Biffle, -151; 9. Keselowski, -167; 10. Kahne, -173; WC1-Truex Jr. (11th, 1 win); WC2-Stewart (13th, 1 win).