NC Racer Lives his Dream

Hey, all. I just have to tell ya'll about my boy, Brian Vickers. Brian is not really my kid, but he might as well be. I feel like a raised him. Brian started in racing karts and when he went to to Late Model is when I met him. I walked down pit road at Tri-County Motor Speedway first of the season and here was this beautiful race car with the number 42 on it. I am quite partial to this number, as my brother ran this number for years. I find out the young man driving this car is only sixteen years old and his dad used to race against my brother. How cool can that be? I meet this driver. Here is a little boy with braces, a slight touch of acne and this scrawny red headed kid drives this car. OK, we are gonna see if he has what it takes. Others that came before him, Kelly Earnhardt and Kerry Earnhardt, for excample, did not have it. Being the track photographer it was my job to collect headshots of all the drivers. So away I went on my mission. When it came to Brian he was always cooperative and I had the honor of doing victory lane photos for his first win. This kid had major talent. I got to know his mom, Ramona, and dad, Clyde, better and they are wonderful people. Brian also raced at Hickory Motor Speedway, which was another one of my tracks. Caught it on film when he bumped the pace car under caution. Wonder if he has thought about that lately. Brian moved on to Hooters Pro Cup and then to Busch. And he continued to prove his talents and hone his skills. The kid can drive a car. He got his breka when Ricky Hendrick stepped out of his car after a serious crash. He put the kid from Thomasville in the drivers seat and now he has become the youngest champion for that division and has given the Rick Hendrick stables their first BGM championship. Vickers has already secured a ride for next season in the new Nextel Cup division, also in a Hendrick ride. I am so proud to have this young man as a part of my life. Last season I traveled to Dover, Delaware, for the WInston Cup event and got to see the Vickers family. Brian came up, hugged his favorite short track photographer and I realized he had really grown up. I knew from early on this guy would go far. He has and I have been honored be a friend along the way. So next time you watch a race and catch a glimpse of Brian Vickers, remember that name! Pat Simmons

Hi Pat. I've gotta tell ya, I am a fan of Brian's. I saw him race at Texas Motor Speedway this year and he was puttin' the whoop on all those boys. He was black flagged(wrongly, of course) and then took out of contention because of it. He's gonna knock 'em dead in WC. Can't wait to see him run with 'em. I'm actually a Bobby and Terry Labonte fan and that's how Brian caught my attention. He was driving the 5 car that Terry used to drive when he ran the Busch series. I tried real hard to follow him all season. I was very impressed with him winning the championship so soon.

Hi Pat. I had the chance to see Brian at work one day. I work at Fleetwood Motor Homes and he came to design his coach. Didn't get to talk to him but boy does he look young. I believe he is the next Jeff Gordon! Good luck!