Michael Waltrip Racing confirmed on Thursday that Brian Vickers would be the driver of the No. 55 car for six races after Elliott Sadler backed out of his five-race deal with the team.
"I am thrilled to get back behind the wheel of not just a race car, but a very fast race car," Vickers said in a release.
Vickers will drive the same races that Sadler was scheduled to -- both Bristols and Martinsvilles and the first New Hampshire race -- as well as the second New Hampshire race. A driver hasn't been determined for the road course races. (Boris Said, perhaps? Said would be a logical fit, and would have one of the best chances of his career to win in the seat of the No. 55.)
Mark Martin will drive 24 races for the team and Michael Waltrip will be in four.
Since Vickers will be in equipment that could be as good as his best Red Bull cars, how good will his performances have to be to be an attractive option for a team in 2013? Vickers was patient in a very weak drivers' market this offseason, and while six races with MWR is a pretty good deal, it also comes with more expectations and limited opportunity.
Oh, and since he's driving at Martinsville, could Matt Kenseth exact some payback for Vickers' payback at Phoenix last year? How do you think Vickers will do? Drop us a line in the comments.
