Brian Vickers Hospitalized With Unspecified Condition, Will Miss Dover Race

Red Bull Racing’s Brian Vickers has been hospitalized with an unspecified condition and will miss the Dover race, the team said Thursday.

Vickers, 26, was hospitalized Wednesday night and “continues to undergo testing and further evaluation,” the team said.

Casey Mears will drive the No. 83 Toyota in Vickers’ place.

“Our main concern right now is with Brian and his health and recovery,” Red Bull Racing general manager Jay Frye said in a statement. “All things are looking good at the moment; this is just a minor setback.”

A statement attributed to Vickers quoted the driver as saying: “It is unfortunate that I will not be able to participate in the Dover race. Casey is a good friend of mine, and I know he will do his best for the No. 83 team this weekend.”

The team cited the “recent diagnosis of a medical condition” as the reason Vickers would not compete at Dover. No further details were given.

Vickers made the Chase last season and earned the first win for Red Bull at Michigan International Speedway last summer.

A message on the driver’s Facebook page Thursday afternoon said: “Brian would like to thank everyone for the well wishes. He is doing good and resting. He hopes to be back at it ASAP. Thanks again everyone.”

Don Rohr, who handles marketing for Vickers, tweeted Thursday evening that “BV is doing well.”

Frye is scheduled to speak with reporters early Friday morning at Dover.