Brian Vickers will miss just two races following heart surgery and will return to competition March 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Michael Waltrip Racing announced Wednesday.
Brian Vickers to miss 2 races, to return at Las Vegas
As Vickers recovers from heart surgery, Michael Waltrip will replace him for the Daytona 500.
Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
In Vickers’ absence MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip will drive the No. 55 Toyota in the season-opening Daytona 500. The team has not named a driver for the Feb. 29 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Waltrip is a two-time Daytona 500 champion (2001, ‘03)
Twice Vickers missed time significant time due to blood clots, in 2010 and again in 2013. As part of the 2010 treatment plan he underwent surgery to patch a hole found in his heart. And this past December Vickers had another heart operation after doctors discovered his body was rejecting the patch that had previously been surgically placed.
“The doctors gave me a clean bill of health and said I will be better than before,” Vickers said.
Vickers missed 25 races in 2010 and the final five weeks of the 2013 season. Last year marked the first time he’s competed a full schedule since 2011. He finished 22nd in points with a best result of second in the July race at Daytona
NASCAR has granted the 31-year-old a medical exemption, meaning he is eligible to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint provided Vickers wins a race and finishes 30th or better in points.
“With the clearance from his physicians, Brian Vickers has satisfied all necessary NASCAR requirements to resume racing on March 5,” NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell said in a statement.
“Further, NASCAR has reviewed the circumstances surrounding his situation and has determined that he will maintain Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup eligibility despite neither entering nor attempting to qualify in the first two championship events, provided he meets all other necessary eligibility requirements.”
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