Mark Martin, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip will continue to share the driving duties in Michael Waltrip Racing’s #55 Toyota in 2013. MWR announced Friday that Martin will drive in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup points races, plus the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona and the All-Star race in Charlotte. Waltrip’s three races include the July Daytona race plus both Talladega races. Vickers ‘ nine races include all the Bristol, Martinsville, New Hampshire and road course events, as well as the Kentucky Speedway race. ‘I love my schedule and I love our lineup,’ said 40-time winner Martin whose four poles in 2012 equal the most of any driver. ‘Brian has a tremendous amount of experience and talent for such a young driver and you saw at Talladega that Michael Waltrip is as good as anyone in a restrictor plate race.’ Martin and Waltrip will continue to drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine paint scheme in 2013 while sponsorship for six of Vickers ‘ nine races is available.(MWR)(10-26-2012)
UPDATE: Vickers, in negotiations to drive a full-time Nationwide Series schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing next year, has four top-10s in seven starts. He said there are no guarantees Martin will retire after next season and he ‘ll get the #55 full-time in 2014. ‘(Am I) in the wings? Yes,’ he said. ‘I don ‘t think I could be any closer to the wing. There’s no contractual obligation to 2014, but that’s my goal and that’s their goal.’ Vickers said he had other opportunities to possibly drive full-time next year, but opted to stay with Michael Waltrip Racing because of the chemistry he has developed with crew chief Rodney Childers and the opportunity to win races. ‘For me, staying with MWR was a conscious decision to be in the best position to win races,’ Vickers said.(ESPN)(10-27-2012)
