| | | | | unreliable in the hot seat as he's taken over the No. |
| The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is currently missing | | | | 83 car in Vickers' absence. Mears placed a |
| one of its biggest competitors. Brian Vickers, driver | | | | respectable 22nd at the Dover race, and he will |
| of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry, has been | | | | continue to take the stock car around the racetrack |
| absent from the track since the Darlington race on | | | | until Vickers makes a comeback. Vickers' absence |
| May 8, and he may not be back anytime soon. | | | | from the track is disappointing to him and his fans, |
| Vickers missed the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover on | | | | and his shot at the Chase might be tarnished if he |
| May 16 and is still out of commission currently (as of | | | | misses any more races. After missing the Autism |
| May 18), having been hospitalized during the second | | | | Speaks 400 at Dover last weekend, Vickers plunged |
| week in May due to blood clots near his lungs and | | | | from 20th to 27th place in Sprint Cup driver |
| legs. | | | | standings. This weekend's All-Star race won't matter |
| Vickers' serious condition has yet to be updated, but | | | | so much for point standings, but will Brian Vickers be |
| Casey Mears has been announced the replacement | | | | back in the saddle May 30 for the Coca-Cola 600 at |
| for Vickers while he's recovering from the ailment. | | | | Charlotte? |
| The No. 83 car is still a listed competitor at the May | | | | As of now, Red Bull Racing is staying tight-lipped on |
| 22 All-Star Race in Charlotte, which Vickers qualified | | | | the subject, and they have until the Friday before |
| for by winning a race last year at Michigan, but | | | | the race to make the switch from Vickers to Mears |
| NASCAR said that the nonqualified Mears could | | | | official. Releasing a statement picked up by Yahoo! |
| replace him in the special event should Vickers be | | | | Sports, Red Bull Racing said, "Vickers remains in good |
| unable to compete in the race. | | | | spirits and is appreciative of all support and concern |
| For racing fans with <a rel="nofollow" | | | | that has been expressed from the team, Red Bull, |
| onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' | | | | fans, media, fellow drivers and members of the |
| outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=" tickets</a> | | | | NASCAR family." |
| to upcoming races, Brian Vickers' absence is a | | | | After the Dover race, Casey Mears indicated he |
| disappointing one, but his medical scare has prompted | | | | thought Vickers would be back for the All-Star race, |
| NASCAR enthusiasts to band together to show | | | | but now that it's down to the wire and he hasn't |
| support for the Red Bull Racing superstar. | | | | officially declared his comeback, Vickers could need a |
| Directly following a statement that Vickers made | | | | replacement for even longer during this season. Brian |
| after pulling out of the Dover race, Red Bull Racing | | | | Vickers' fans can continue showing support for the |
| general manager Jay Frye set the record straight via | | | | ailing driver by purchasing tickets to upcoming races |
| NASCAR.com, saying, "Our main concern right now is | | | | from <a rel="nofollow" |
| with Brian and his health and recovery. All things are | | | | onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' |
| looking good at the moment. This is just a minor | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=" no matter |
| setback." | | | | whether he's in his No. 83 Red Bull racing car or on |
| Casey Mears, Vickers' replacement, hasn't been | | | | the sidelines. |