Brian Vickers, subbing for inured Tony Stewart in the #14 Chevy, was in a hard accident but able to walk away from the damage Saturday night during the exhibition Sprint Unlimited at Daytona. His comments about the wreck:
Q) WHAT HAPPENED?
Vickers: ‘I cut a right-rear tire. I don’t know how it happened. The No. 2 (Brad Keselowski) and I were racing hard there going across the start/finish line. The No. 18 (Kyle Busch) and I got together going four-wide early in the race. Had a little smoke for a lap and then it went away. I suspect that could have been it or I could have just run over something, there is no telling. It’s unfortunate. This Mobil 1 Chevy was just charging to the front. We went to the front early. We got kind of shuffled out then went right back to the front. I was really happy with the car. The guys, everyone at Stewart-Haas did a great job. It’s unfortunate I’m in this car because that means Tony (Stewart) is sitting at home. But I’m just doing the best I can. It’s an honor to fill this seat. I was just out there having fun until we got into the wall. It wasn’t anyone’s fault we just cut a tire. We will just go get them for the Daytona 500.’
Q) HOW HARD WAS THE HIT? HOW HEARTBREAKING IS THIS?
Vickers: ‘It was a hard hit. They are never fun. You blow a right-rear tire, you hit driver-side at 200 (mph), but that is part of racing. That is all the risk we take. I’m fine. I feel fine. I was having fun. I was having a blast actually. It was just so much fun to get out there with those guys and rub fenders again and race hard. It’s such a fun race. I hate we are not going to be able to put this Mobil 1 Chevy in Victory Lane. I think we really had a shot at it. I’m back racing, I’m having fun and the Daytona 500 is next week. I don’t have a lot to complain about.’(Team Chevy)
