http://topics.cnn.com/topics/feeds/rss/Brian_VickersFind stories, videos, and photos about Brian Vickers from CNN.com.en-usCable News Network LP, LLLP.Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:44:45 GMT5http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/1.0/logo/cnn.logo.rss.gifhttp://topics.cnn.com/topics/feeds/rss/Brian_Vickers14433Find stories, videos, and photos about Brian Vickers from CNN.com.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/11/13/fantasy.pir/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/11/13/fantasy.pir/index.htmlThe week prior to the Texas race, Jimmie Johnson, like the consummate polished pro he is, stayed "on message" and preached caution, urging anyone who cared to listen that anything could happen with three races remaining.Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:01:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brant_james/09/16/chase.preview/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brant_james/09/16/chase.preview/index.htmlJimmie Johnson has been here before, as the perennial contender denied, the champion, and twice the defender. Now the Sprint Cup champion begins what would be a historic defense, a quest for a fourth consecutive title, a feat unprecedented in NASCAR and most of major motorsports. Former Champ Car dominator Sebastien Bourdais comprises the club in North America right now.Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:08:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/09/13/richmond.five.things/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/09/13/richmond.five.things/index.htmlFive things we learned on Saturday night at Richmond in the final race of the regular season:Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:18:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/09/10/chase.parity/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/09/10/chase.parity/index.htmlAs we head to Richmond this weekend, the most competitive Chase race in history will feature 11 drivers in a quest for the final eight spots in the 12-car field. With just 105 points separating fifth-place Carl Edwards from Brian Vickers in 13th, that leaves dozens of potential playoff scenarios. There's only one thing we know for sure among the madness: it's the best possible scenario for a sport that's been all too predictable in recent years.Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:07:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brant_james/09/09/busch.vickers/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brant_james/09/09/busch.vickers/index.htmlKyle Busch and Brian Vickers have taken wildly divergent paths since leaving Hendrick Motorsports -- one on his own volition, one forced out to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr.Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:35:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/09/07/Chase/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/09/07/Chase/index.htmlMOORESVILLE, N.C. -- After a successful Labor Day weekend race at Atlanta Motor Speedway that drew perhaps the track's biggest crowd this decade, the pressure to make the Chase is increasing on one of the biggest names in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing.Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:59:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/09/07/Atlanta.5.things/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/09/07/Atlanta.5.things/index.htmlFive things we learned this weekend in Atlanta:Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:45:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/08/24/Martin.IR/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/08/24/Martin.IR/index.htmlSONOMA, Calif. -- As NASCAR Sprint Cup prepares for a rare weekend off, the drivers battling for the 12th and final spot in the Chase for the Championship have a chance to pause -- and feel anxious.Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:07:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/08/23/five.things.bristol/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/08/23/five.things.bristol/index.htmlFive things we learned under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night in the Sharpie 500:Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:27:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/08/21/Chase.Bubble/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/08/21/Chase.Bubble/index.htmlWith three races left in the Sprint Cup's regular season, there are essentially six drivers competing for the final three spots that advance to the Chase. Here's a look at the Bubble Boys.Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:35:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/08/16/Michigan.5Things/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/08/16/Michigan.5Things/index.htmlFive things we learned on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway:Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:15:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/08/17/Martin_Racing/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/08/17/Martin_Racing/index.htmlKOONTZ LAKE, Ind. -- With just three races remaining before the Chase, NASCAR has its own version of "Trading Spaces."Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:41:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/mark_beech/07/03/Racing_Fan/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/mark_beech/07/03/Racing_Fan/index.htmlI first caught Scott Speed's act last January, when I was in Charlotte for NASCAR's annual preseason media tour. It was an evening Red Bull event, and Speed addressed the press from a comfy couch, wearing shades and a button-down shirt open to about mid-torso. The California native, who was coming off of a two-year stint on the F1 circuit (where he went winless in 28 starts), seemed very conscious of projecting a laid-back vibe, greeting the media with, "What up, dog?"Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:09:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/05/28/Eury/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/05/28/Eury/index.htmlIn the end, Rick Hendrick was left with only one option: He had to fire Tony Eury Jr. on Thursday to try to salvage not only Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s season, but also his career.Thu, 28 May 2009 18:39:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/05/25/coca.cola.600/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/05/25/coca.cola.600/index.htmlFive things we learned after the running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, won in an upset by David Reutimann after a rain-shortened race ended on Lap 227:Tue, 26 May 2009 00:45:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_tuttle/03/10/Vickers/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_tuttle/03/10/Vickers/index.htmlFour races provide only a snapshot into Sprint Cup's regular season, but they could also be a indicator of the changing face of the Chase. Four drivers -- Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers and David Reutimann -- who didn't make it last year are in the top-12 in points, pushing four -- Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- 2008 Chasers out.Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:37:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/03/09/Anderson_5things_ATL/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/03/09/Anderson_5things_ATL/index.htmlObservations from a mild, blue-sky spring day at Atlanta Motor Speedway:Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:34:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/02/23/inside.racing/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/02/23/inside.racing/index.htmlMIAMI -- It was getting late on an October Saturday in 2007 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon had just won the Bank of America 500 and appeared on his way to winning his fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup title.Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:35:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/02/16/daytona/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/02/16/daytona/index.htmlFive things we learned in race No. 1 of the 2009 NASCAR season at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:04:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/02/15/earnhardt.daytona.wreck/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/02/15/earnhardt.daytona.wreck/index.htmlDAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Leave it to Dale Earnhardt Jr. to overshadow the winner of Sunday's rain-shortened 51st Daytona 500.Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:21:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/02/15/daytona.500/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/02/15/daytona.500/index.htmlDAYTONA BEACH, Florida --- Matt Kenseth's surprising, rain-shortened victory in Sunday's 51st Daytona 500 came in a race that desperately needed an ending.Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:19:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/02/08/budweiser.shootout/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lars_anderson/02/08/budweiser.shootout/index.htmlFive things we learned under the lights on Saturday night in Daytona at the Budweiser Shootout, the preseason warm-up act for the Daytona 500.Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:52:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/01/29/top.four/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/01/29/top.four/index.htmlAs the coverage of Super Bowl Sunday reaches fever pitch this week, the big story continues to be Arizona's sudden surge. After winning just one postseason game between 1975 and 2007, the Cardinals swept through the playoffs and are suddenly on the verge of their first NFL title since 1947 -- the year NASCAR was formed in a smoky room down at Daytona Beach.Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:55:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/12/02/most.improved/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/12/02/most.improved/index.htmlDavid Ragan has been widely regarded as the Sprint Cup's most improved driver during the 2008 season, a status justified by his leap from 23rd in the points to Chase contender and 13th in the championship.Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:07:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/09/30/inside.nascar/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/09/30/inside.nascar/index.htmlThree races into the Chase, Toyota's optimism toward winning a Sprint Cup championship in its second season has been crushed. It must be a devastating feeling to the manufacturer, which must wonder how it could have gone so wrong so quickly. There are still races to be run and won and that would ease the pain, but the big prize has been painfully lost.Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:26:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/09/16/inside.nascar/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/09/16/inside.nascar/index.htmlWill Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson be driving Toyotas in the Sprint Cup Series next season? Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:06:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/09/11/inside.nascar/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/09/11/inside.nascar/index.htmlIn its fifth year of competition, the Chase for the Championship is a baby compared to the playoff systems of other major sports. With such a limited time under its belt -- and several tweaks to the format already -- the whole concept is deemed a work in progress. However, we've already seen some basic patterns develop which give us an indication of what a driver needs to do to win this year. Here's what we know heading into this year's version of NASCAR's playoffs:Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:51:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lars_anderson/08/10/five.things.watkins.glen/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lars_anderson/08/10/five.things.watkins.glen/index.htmlFive things we learned on Sunday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, the last stop of the season the Cup circuit will make at a road course.Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:53:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/07/17/bowlesys.2008/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/07/17/bowlesys.2008/index.htmlIt's that time again! The Bowlesys are back to recognize the best and worst of the 2008 NASCAR season to date. Now in their third year, these semi-annual awards pop up each July and December and keep the sport on its toes with an honest assessment of who's really made their mark or missed it.Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:23:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/06/10/vickers/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/06/10/vickers/index.htmlStart-ups in any industry are an arduous undertaking. They stumble, they fall, they inevitably make changes. They look for any light at the end of the tunnel to help them find their way out of the darkness. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:00:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lars_anderson/06/09/pocono.lessons/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lars_anderson/06/09/pocono.lessons/index.htmlFive things we learned on a long, hot afternoon of racing at Pocono (Pa.) Speedway:Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:45:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/05/26/coca.cola.600/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/05/26/coca.cola.600/index.htmlSix things we learned at the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday night:Mon, 26 May 2008 19:25:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/03/13/vickers/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/03/13/vickers/index.htmlBrian Vickers couldn't believe it. The laps were winding down in February's Gatorade Duel, and he was experiencing the wrong type of déjà vu at 180 miles an hour.Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:03:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/03/11/top35/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_tuttle/03/11/top35/index.htmlIt's only the fifth race of the Sprint Cup season, but this weekend's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway could be the most critical out of the 36 on the schedule for those teams close to the line of demarcation for the top-35 in points. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:28:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lars_anderson/03/10/atlanta/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lars_anderson/03/10/atlanta/index.htmlFive things we learned on Sunday at the fastest track on the NASCAR circuit: Atlanta Motor Speedway:Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:09:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/02/14/earnhardt.wins/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/02/14/earnhardt.wins/index.htmlThey showed up as favorites, endured their share of failures and found a way to stay at the front of the Daytona 500.Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:41:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/02/13/scout.best.rest/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/02/13/scout.best.rest/index.htmlPetty Enterprises hasn't won a race since 1999, and owner Richard Petty had to do something dramatic to turn things around. So in the off-season he moved the operation from his tiny family shop in Level Cross, N.C., to a sprawling complex in Mooresville, N.C., the hub of the sport. Petty hopes the new digs will help him recruit top talent, and it's already working out that way: He lured Jeff Meendering, the former car chief for Jeff Gordon, to be crew chief for Bobby Labonte.... Another underfunded team that will struggle to finish in the top 20 in points this season is Robby Gordon Motorsports. Gordon is the only full-time independent owner-driver in the series, and while he had two top 10 runs last season, he also finished 30th or worse 13 times.... Red Bull Racing Team, on the other hand, is flush with cash and has the man, Brian Vickers, who led more laps (106) than any other Toyota driver in 2007. Still, because their outfits are inexperienced, Vickers and teammate AJWed, 13 Feb 2008 18:13:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/racing/08/31/nascar.gibbs.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/racing/08/31/nascar.gibbs.ap/index.htmlFONTANA, Calif. (AP) -- While Joe Gibbs Racing officials remained mum Friday on the anticipated switch from Chevrolet to Toyota, Kyle Busch was more than happy to talk about it.Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:40:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/racing/08/24/bristol.qualifying.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/racing/08/24/bristol.qualifying.ap/index.htmlBRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Kasey Kahne won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, edging rival Dodge driver Juan Pablo Montoya for the top starting spot.Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:23:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/06/19/vickers/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/06/19/vickers/index.htmlIt seems so easy to make a move as a free agent in sports, but it never is. When an athlete leaves a strong team to take an unknown risk somewhere else, the move is especially difficult. For someone to make that type of life-changing choice, you have to possess enough confidence in both your ability and your future to believe every decision you make will wind up the right call.Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:19:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lars_anderson/06/12/pocono.lessons/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lars_anderson/06/12/pocono.lessons/index.htmlHere are five things we learned last weekend at Pocono, the second-straight race where rain played a major factor.Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:54:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/05/29/underdogs/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/05/29/underdogs/index.htmlDespite the dominance of drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, NASCAR's underdogs are still capable of occasionally having their day in the sun. What's rare is when all of them decide to shine at exactly the same time.Tue, 29 May 2007 06:57:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/05/28/coke600.bowles/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/05/28/coke600.bowles/index.htmlThe old saying is that only the strong survive the long, grueling test known as NASCAR's 600-mile marathon. Mon, 28 May 2007 01:57:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/03/27/toyota/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/03/27/toyota/index.htmlSetting expectations can be a fragile thing. Left unfulfilled, the sheer weight of their failure can lead to a pack of monkeys landing on the backs of everyone involved.Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/02/16/friday.notes/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/02/16/friday.notes/index.htmlAfter a week of observations in Daytona, here's my final set of observations heading into the Daytona 500:Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:58:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/02/14/daytona.notes/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/02/14/daytona.notes/index.htmlDespite going winless for the past 3 1/2 years on the Nextel Cup tour, Michael Waltrip has remained one of the sport's most popular and recognizable drivers. A marketing machine, he's known for bending over backwards for his sponsors, hawking everything from furniture to auto parts on TV.Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:06:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lars_anderson/02/12/nas.toyota0219/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lars_anderson/02/12/nas.toyota0219/index.htmlOn Sunday, Japanese automaker Toyota will become the first foreign manufacturer to back a team on NASCAR's premier circuit. So how is the world's most successful automaker being greeted? "We're going to go to war with them," says Roush Racing owner Jack Roush, whose Ford-backed team is the largest in NASCAR. "They should give us their best shot, because we'll be giving as good as we take."Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:21:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lewis_franck/01/22/rules.changes/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/lewis_franck/01/22/rules.changes/index.htmlIt's about time.Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:56:00 ESThttp://www.cnn.com/2004/US/10/24/nascar.plane.crash/index.htmlhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/US/10/24/nascar.plane.crash/index.htmlAll 10 people aboard a twin-engine plane owned by stock car racing team Hendrick Motorsports were killed Sunday when the plane crashed outside Martinsville, Virginia, according to a nearby funeral home.Sun, 24 Oct 2004 21:38:00 EDT