Brian Vickers and the No. 83 crew are ready for the all-star Shootout race in Daytona this weekend, the pre-cursor to the February 14th Daytona 500.
No. 83 crew chief Ryan Pemberton looks at the season-opening Shootout in two ways. One: Saturday’s race at Daytona International Speedway is all about pride, prestige and padding the wallet. Two: the all-star event, coupled with any prior practice laps, equals a test session of sorts for the Great American Race — the Daytona 500.
“It’s a go-for-broke race, but it’s a test session, too,” said Pemberton, in his second season as Brian Vickers’ crew chief. “That track is not getting any better with age. It’s not a bottle of wine. The racing, I think, is getting better, but the track is getting worse. So I think it makes for a really good race. You have to have your stuff right. You see where you really stack up going into the 500.”
Vickers became eligible for the Shootout when he qualified for the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup. His best finish in four Shootout starts was eighth in 2007, which just so happened to be the first competitive laps run by a Red Bull Toyota.
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“The Shootout pits all the best drivers at Daytona together in one race,” Vickers said, “and everyone will be going for one thing — the win. I like the direction the sport is heading in. NASCAR wants us to be ourselves on the track — race hard — and don’t plan to ‘babysit’ us as much while bump drafting. It is going to be great and make for one hell of a race.”
Twenty-eight drivers are eligible for the 75-lap race, which will be divided into 25- and 50-lap segments with a 10-minute stop in between. One of those drivers is veteran racer Ken Schrader. The 54-year-old from Fenton, Mo., will drive Scott Speed’s No. 82 Red Bull Toyota. Speed is not eligible for the Shootout, but Schrader is, based on back-to-back victories in the event in 1989-90. Schrader has competed in 18 Shootouts — fourth most in history.
Speed will drive the No. 82 during Friday’s two Daytona 500 practice sessions, as well as 500 qualifying on Saturday afternoon.
“Kenny’s a well-respected race car driver and is deserving of being in the Shootout for his accomplishments,” said Jimmy Elledge, the No. 82 crew chief. “With the lack of testing that we have, when you get an opportunity to take a veteran guy like Kenny and maybe try a couple things for the 500 … that race is beneficial. It’s a fun event. You’re going out there to win.”
A random draw at 8 p.m. ET Thursday will determine the starting lineup for the Shootout.
For more info on Vickers, Speed and the rest of the Red Bull Racing crew, check out the official site.
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