Brian Vickers gets full-time NASCAR Cup drive with Michael Waltrip
Brian Vickers has secured a full-time Michael Waltrip Racing seat for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Vickers has driven partial campaigns for MWR since former employer Red Bull closed its NASCAR programme at the end of 2011.
This year he is sharing the #55 seat with Michael Waltrip and Mark Martin, and won the New Hampshire Motor Speedway race last month.
The team confirmed on Tuesday that it had completed a deal for Vickers to join Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr as a full-time MWR driver from next season.
"Knowing that I have a top-notch team and a dedicated sponsor for a full season is a really great feeling every driver dreams about, and like everyone else, I want to win races and win a championship," said Vickers.
"Michael and co-owner Rob Kauffman are really building something special at MWR and are giving me the tools to accomplish those goals."
BRIAN VICKERS CV
Age: 29
Nationality: American
Sprint Cup stats
Starts: 272
Wins: 3
Poles: 11
Nationwide stats
Starts: 139
Titles: 1
Wins: 3
Poles: 4
Milestones:
2001: Makes Nationwide (then Busch) debut with family team
2003: Becomes youngest Busch Series champion, aged 20, driving for Hendrick; team gives him five Cup races
2006: Wins Talladega Cup race
2007: Moves to Red Bull's NASCAR team
2009: Wins Michigan Cup race
2010: Curtails season in May due to blood clots
2011: Red Bull closes team at end of year
2012: Begins part-time MWR career, and also races AF-Waltrip's GT Ferrari at Le Mans and the Spa World Endurance Championship round
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