Hearing that Brian Vickers, driver of the #25 GMAC Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports is now looking to get out of his contract with Hendrick after the 2006 season.(6-7-2006)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports has given driver Brian Vickers permission to seek a ride elsewhere in racing. Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex said Thursday that the driver of the team’s #25 GMAC Chevy in the Nextel Cup Series had asked team officials for permission to pursue “employment opportunities outside our operation.” Essex said “multiple years” remain on Vickers’ contract at Hendrick.
AND rumors have Vickers going to the #88 Robert Yates Racing ride or one of the Red Bull Racing rides.(6-8-2006)
UPDATE 2: There’s been speculation that Vickers might drive a Toyota for Team Red Bull next season. Team Red Bull general manager Marty Gaunt indicated in an e-mail that there’s no deal yet with any driver. “Frankly, it is flattering to have this much interest in our new program, but the reality is that the driver search is still very open right now,” Gaunt said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(6-9-2006)
UPDATE 3:When Brian Vickers got permission from Hendrick Motorsports to look for a new job this week, it started a chain reaction that might include the return of former series champion Bill Elliott. Vickers will drive for Red Bull Racing next year, becoming the third full-time driver listed for Toyota’s venture into stock car racing. Casey Mears told car owner Chip Ganassi on Thursday he won’t return next year in the #42 Dodge, and on Friday he suggested he will replace Vickers at Hendrick. At the same time, Elliott apparently is mulling a full-time return to the sport – presumably as Vickers’ teammate at Red Bull. During a local Atlanta cable television interview Wednesday, Elliott said he hadn’t decided whether to make a comeback. He said he’s busy with his son’s go-cart racing career and a new grandchild, but he wasn’t ready to rule out any return. Elliott will drive three races later this year for Red Bull as it gathers information to debut its Camry next year. He also will drive five races for Michael Waltrip Racing, which will field two Toyota teams next year.(Augusta Chronicle)(6-10-2006)
