As the only driver pulling double duty across half the country this weekend, #55-Brian Vickers is well aware of the special challenges ahead. Still, hes more aware of some challenges than others. Theres the logistics of getting from one place to the other. Theres the transition from his full-time role in the NASCAR Nationwide Series to his part-time detail on the Sprint Cup circuit. The biggest hurdle, however, might be the actual task at hand, adapting from NASCARs longest road course “ a circuit hes never competed on “ to its shortest. Vickers goes into the great unknown in Saturdays Johnsonville Sausage 200 for the Nationwide Series at 4.048-mile Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., before he returns to a more familiar track “ 1.99-mile Sonoma Raceway, site of Sundays Toyota/Save Mart 350 for the Sprint Cup tour. The unique Wisconsin-to-California doubleheader will mark the first time hes competed in NASCAR national series events in different states in the same weekend. Part of Vickers divide-and-conquer strategy includes making just one commute. Hell start the weekend with his #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team, focusing on regaining ground in the Nationwide title hunt. In the meantime, Jason Bowles will sub for him in the #55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota in Sprint Cup practice and qualifying, meaning Vickers will have to start Sundays race from the back of the field.( NASCAR.com )
