One of the worst kept secrets in the NASCAR has finally been announced by Stewart-Haas Racing. Following Tony Stewart’s injury and surgery that will keep him out of the car to start the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season, the team has announced Brian Vickers as the primary replacement in the #14 Chevy.
Vickers, a former driver for Michael Waltrip Racing and formerly Red Bull Racing, has struggled to remain in the field in recent years due to health concerns. Forced out of his car at first due to blood clotting issues while at Red Bull, Vickers confirmed with his doctors his ability to race for Stewart-Haas Racing to start 2016.
While Brian Vickers replaces Tony Stewart to start the season at Daytona, the #14 team will be able to enter this weekend’s non-points Sprint Unlimited race thanks to NASCAR approval. Reports also say that RCR development driver Ty Dillon will race a handful of times in the #14 car as well to start the season. Vickers has not been confirmed as a driver beyond Daytona thus far.
Main Image Credit
Main Photo Caption: FONTANA, CA – MARCH 22: Brian Vickers, driver of the Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota, answers questions from media during a press conference before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 22, 2015 in Fontana, California. Vickers was forced to withdraw from competition due to blood clots. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
