GMAC / Ditech / CARQUEST Racing - Brian Vickers Notes & Quotes
Daytona 500
Daytona International Speedway
Sunday, February 15, 2004

Notes
REALITY CHECK:
Brian Vickers, the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series champion, is one of nine drivers who will appear in a new reality series on the FX network. Scheduled to premiere in May, "NASCAR: Drivers Unscripted" is a one- hour weekly series that will give viewers an unvarnished look at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers, their families and teams, primarily focusing on their lives away from the race track. Vickers will be featured in the 90-minute opening episode, scheduled to air on May 18.

Quotes

BRIAN VICKERS, DRIVER OF THE NO. 25 GMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES CHEVROLETS: (YOU WILL MAKE YOUR FIRST DAYTONA 500 START ON SUNDAY. HAS IT SUNK IN YET?) "We've been too busy for it to sink in. There's just so much going on during Speedweeks that it can be difficult to find a lot of time for yourself. Honestly, the best place for me to get away is inside the race car. For that period of time, I only have to focus on one thing -- and that's doing the best job I can. I think everything will probably hit me during driver introductions on Sunday when I get introduced to the crowd. It's going to be an awesome feeling."

VICKERS: (WHAT'S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR AT DAYTONA?) "Getting drafting help. There hasn't been too many guys that have wanted to help me in the draft during practice. I kind of expected that coming in -- it's just part of being a rookie. Other drivers are hesitant because they don't know my driving style and it's going to take some time for them to get comfortable racing with me. The good news is I know it's not just me. I was talking with Scott Riggs (another rookie) and he said nobody was too eager to run with him in the draft either."

VICKERS: (YOU SPENT ONE FULL SEASON IN THE NASCAR BUSCH SERIES BEFORE MOVING INTO THE CUP SERIES THIS YEAR. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOU MAY HAVE MOVED UP TOO SOON?) "I've progressed quickly throughout my racing career, but I've only moved up to another series after I had achieved reasonable success in the division I was racing in at the time. My dad, along with several other people who have helped me with my career, paid very close attention to my progress. When, and only when, I was ready, they moved me up the ladder. So far things have turned out pretty well. I wasn't the only one responsible for deciding to move into the Cup Series this season. That was mostly in the good hands of Mr. (Rick) Hendrick. He's done a great job in the past selecting drivers and I trusted him when he came to me about driving the No. 25 car this season."

First Career Cup Series Start:
Lowe's Motor Speedway (October 11, 2003).
Started 20th, Finished 33rd.

Race Information
Event: Daytona 500
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2003
Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway
Track Size: 2.5-mile oval
Start of Race: 1 p.m. EST
Televsion: NBC- 12:30 p.m. EST
Radio: MRN- 1 p.m. EST
Laps/Miles: 200 laps / 500 miles