Brian Vickers to miss rest of NASCAR season
CONCORD, N.C. — Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota, said Friday that he will miss the remainder of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series season while he continues to recover from blood clots discovered in his lungs and left leg.
The 26-year-old Vickers, with Dr. Steven A. Limentani and Red Bull Racing Team vice president and general manager Jay Frye at his side, addressed the media for the first time at Charlotte Motor Speedway since being diagnosed with the condition May 12. And he didn’t hold back.
“It sucks. This is what I love to do,” Vickers said. “I’ve never, throughout my entire career, been on the sidelines. That’s what hurts the most. This is my life, and I fully intend on being able to do it again.”
Vickers and Limentani refused to speculate on what caused the blood clots, and both noted that the testing process is “lengthy and involved” and may take a number of weeks to come to any conclusions. Because Vickers is on blood thinners — including Coumadin — Limentani said driving the No. 83 is impossible for fear that Vickers might be injured in a crash. He recommended that Vickers sit out a minimum of six months.
“It is not advisable for him to race while on blood thinners,” said Limentani, a Charlotte, N.C.-based hematologist and oncologist.
Vickers’ close friend, Casey Mears, will continue to drive the No. 83. Mears, who will participate in Saturday night’s All-Star event, replaced Vickers in Sunday’s race at Dover International Speedway and finished 22nd.
“Casey is doing a great job,” Frye said. “We don’t anticipate any changes. We’re very comfortable with Casey.”
Vickers, during a sight-seeing visit to Washington, D.C., was hospitalized May 12 after experiencing chest pains. Testing revealed the blood clots, and he was released Friday and returned to Charlotte. But the pains resurfaced the next day, and Vickers was admitted to Carolinas Medical Center, where he spent another two days.
Upon his release, it was determined that driving a race car was not a good idea for the foreseeable future.
“I didn’t want to go to the doctor. They were going to take me out of the car,” Vickers admitted. “You think you’re bulletproof. You’re 26. You’re a race car driver. You skydive. You think it’ll just go away. I want nothing more than to be back in the car, but I don’t focus on the negative. I’ll deal with the cards I’ve been dealt.
“My friends and family have constantly reminded me, ‘At least you’re still with us.’ I’m lucky. Very fortunate.”
Vickers expressed his sincere thanks for all of the support and well wishes from family, friends and fellow drivers. He plans on “being in the best shape of my life” by the time he returns to the car.
“I expect to be back in the car next season — and win the Daytona 500,” Vickers said.
