Vickers sidelined early at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. – The fireworks started early at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday.

Brian Vickers had not completed Lap 2 when he was pinched into the wall by Jimmie Johnson in the CampingWorld.com 500.

“What happened to ‘all clear’,” Vickers asked his spotter.

Vickers was running just inside the top 20 at the time of the accident. Vickers, who is making just his second start of the season following a medical leave for the first two events of the 2016 Sprint Cup season, limped his No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota to the garage for repairs.

After Vickers climbed from his car, the driver acknowledged he had “no idea” what happened.

It seems kind of early to be using the bumper, but I need to see a replay.

Brian Vickers

"I would love to see the replay,” Vickers said. “It's a shame because this Aaron's Dream Machine Camry was really good in practice and I felt really good about the first lap. Last I heard I was coming out of (turn) four and I heard I was all clear and I was against the wall and then I just got drilled from behind and turned into the wall. It seems kind of early to be using the bumper, but I need to see a replay.

‘I don't know if Jimmie (Johnson) was outside and if he was then I was told I was all clear and if he wasn't outside or if he was outside by an inch then it seems kind of early to wreck someone on lap one. I don't know whose fault it was, I just know I got hit from behind and I was against the wall and my spotter said, 'All clear.' That's pretty much all the information I've got."

Vickers returned to the race on lap 82.