Vickers: “… I feel it’s best to start looking at other options.”
Friday, June 9th, 2006 11:20am CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
[thumb:191:l:s=1:l=x]Who saw this one coming? Brian Vickers has announced that he will be seeking other options for the 2007 season, and leaving the stability of Hendrick Motorsports. Just when you thought this season couldn’t get and weirder, and this week any more dull in the news column, the fan has been hit with a massive load.
Marty Smith interviewed Brian Wednesday morning it appears, according to this interview published on Nascar.com this morning.
It comes down to one thing, said Vickers. Performance.
Granted they made a few bids and came close last year, but it isn’t enough it seems. His best finish this year so far is 3rd (Talladega), and he’s currently in 26th in the Driver’s point standings. He finished 24th in the standings in his rookie year in 2004, and finished in 17th last year. In his 90 race span so far, he has just 6 top 5’s, and 17 top 10 finishes. While that might be ok for some, driving for the Nascar giant Hendrick Motorsports automatically places a higher expectation on a team and their driver.
“This is not something I’ve been contemplating for a long time,” he explained. “Up until this point, and moving forward, it’s about this 25 GMAC team. But at some point I had to make a decision for the best of everybody involved. We both mutually agreed we should look at other options.”
Well, well, well now. This adds one heck of a twist into the already started Silly Season of 2006. According to Vickers he doesn’t have anything for next year yet, regardless of the rumors that may be floating around. However, he realistically only has 3 options as of right now for the Cup series, and an outside 4th that seems to not be receiving much mention at the moment.
First, he could end up at Robert Yates in the #88. Granted some people think Ward Burton or Casey Mears could be headed that direction, but now that Brian is in the mix, who knows.
Second, he could easily be courted by one of the Toyota teams. He fits right into their grand plan of having a mix of youth and experience. Lucky for them, he happens to have both.
Third, he could end up at Ganassi if Mears heads off to another team.
Fourth, which this might not be a possibility but it’s at least good for consideration, is that in case we have forgotten, one certain Mr. Mark Martin is retiring this year. While we’re not sure of the plans at the Roush camp, and it’s possible they could be grooming someone already, but it isn’t unrealistic to contemplate that Brian could end up as the new face of the #6. Jack’s already grandfathered in because of his long term sponsor commitments in regards to the 4-car rule coming down. While it might seem out in left field a little bit, is it really out of the realm of possibility that much? Jack would add another youthful face to his stable, and one that comes with experience.
Granted, everything is pure speculation at this point. However there isn’t that much available at the moment that could reign in a driver of Brian’s caliber. Sure there are several small teams that would probably kill to have him, but you have to be realistic about it. Brian isn’t just going to roll over and take a ride for the sake of taking one. He will be in a stable ride, with a well established team. Of course Ganassi and Yates are struggling at the moment, but teams can turn it around as RCR has proven thus far this season.
The end result was already going to be interesting come next February’s Speed Weeks. This just adds to the mix, and solidifies that.
Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup
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