Vickers makes 2nd MWR start of season at Martinsville

Brian Vickers, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Toyota

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Brian Vickers makes his second 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup start Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. He’ll drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 55 RK Motors Toyota on the Virginia half-mile track. The 28-year-old Thomasville, N.C. native finished fifth in his first race of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 18. Vickers led 125 laps - nearly equaling the 135 laps he led in the last three seasons. Vickers will drive six races in the No. 55 in 2012 including both races at: Bristol, Martinsville and New Hampshire. The No. 55 is eighth in owner points.

BRIAN VICKERS: “Getting back at Bristol and having such a great run, leading all those laps was an awesome feeling. Everything felt perfect. I was so proud to be a part of getting all three cars in the top-five. It felt like I’ve been with this team for a long time. I was really pumped about how well we ran. It’s been a long two weeks since Bristol. I’m ready to go again. We have RK Motors on the car this week. It’s their first time as a full Sprint Cup sponsor so it’s cool they chose this race to join us. (No. 55 crew chief) Rodney Childers bolted together my first go-kart 20 years ago and then he handed it off to my father to finish it off. He also put together my car two weeks ago and did a heck of a job. I expect that again this weekend at Martinsville. It should be a lot of fun.”