It was a day of surprises and records at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday. A part-time driver shocked the racing world as Brian Vickers won the Camping World RV 301. Vickers, who is racing part time for Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) won his first Sprint Cup race in 75 races.
Vickers who has lost rides with Hendrick Motorsports and Red Bull, was given a part time assignment with MWR, sharing the 55 car with Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip. His victory on Sunday, along with other fine performances this year may very well have set him up for a full time ride next season. Vickers has had to fight through not only being dismissed from Hendrick and Red Bull but also suffered a serious illness in 2010 that left him fighting for his career.
Vickers was driving for Red Bull when he was diagnosed with blood clots in his legs and lungs. He had to undergo two surgeries to close a hole in his heart and to put a stent in his left leg. He lost his ride with Red Bull during his illness. The Red Bull team has since disbanded. This season Vickers has been racing full time in the Nationwide Series but has dreamed of getting a full time ride in the big show.
As Vickers took the checkered flag he yelled to his team on the radio, “That’s what I’m talking about! You guys are awesome!”
After the race an emotional Vickers thanked MWR for “believing in me and giving me a second chance”. When asked about the possibility of racing full time next season, Vickers responded, “Nothing is guaranteed in life. It definitely goes a long way.”
Kyle Busch finished in second place followed by Jeff Burton, Brad Keselowski and Aric Almirola. Jimmie Johnson, still holding a comfortable lead in the point standings finished 6th followed by Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon. Tony Stewart while contending for the win late in the race ran out of fuel and finished 26th.
The race also saw a record breaking performance. Morgan Shepard, age 71, took the wheel of the #52 Toyota to become the oldest person to drive in a Sprint Cup race. “This is for the race fans.” Shepard said as he took the green flag to start the race.
Jim Fitzgerald was 65 when he raced at Riverside International Speedway in 1987. James Hylton is the oldest to race in a NASCAR sponsored event, racing in the truck series at Pocono in 2011 at the tender age of 76.
Shepard who still races part-time in the Nationwide series, ran his first Sprint Cup race in 1970 and has four career victories to his credit. Shepard wanted to run all 301 laps but pulled into the garage after running 92 laps. He finished in 41st place.
Shepard has hopes of racing again this season. He has his eye on the August race at Pocono. He also said he already has a commitment from a sponsor to run next seasons Daytona 500.
“I’d like to run them all. I still drive good,” Shepard said after the race.
The Sprint Cup series takes a week off before heading to the Indianapolis Speedway for the Brickyard 400.
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Main Photo Credit: Teamleaks.com, CC
