♥October 24th....♥

John Hendrick
Ricky Hendrick
Jeff Turner
Randy Dorton

2005 Quote from Jimmie: "It's going to be so tough for all of them and I know they all do different things to help the anniversary pass, and with as little pain as possible," Johnson said. "Another person I'm going to be thinking of is Brian Vickers. It's his birthday. The plane crash was on his birthday, of all things. So, as a teammate and friend, to be there for him as well as the other people that lost loved ones on the flight."

It has been two years since October 24, 2004.  It doesn't seem like two years, it still seems just like yesterday.  Everything is still that fresh in the hearts and minds of all that were touched by the lives of the people that were so tragically lost on that day on their way to Martinsville, VA.  Jimmie Johnson won the race on Sunday, which was a fitting tribute to his friends.  They were in that car with him that day, just like they are every Sunday.  Winning is the perfect kind of medicine.  We miss everyone that was on that plane and we love them all. 

Ricky Hendrick: This was a person that was taken too young.  He still had a lot of life to live and a lot of things to do.  He will always be missed and loved and never forgotten and will always be in our hearts.

Happy 23rd Birthday Brian: Today is supposed to be a happy day and a day of celebration, but for Brian Vickers, that is not really the case.  While today is his birthday, he also lost his bestfriend, along with 9 others, one year ago today.  Ricky Hendrick is smiling down on his bestfriend today wishing him the happiest birthday that he can have.  There is some solice in knowing that Brian and Ricky will be able to see each other again someday and also in the fact that these are two bestfriends and brothers that will remain that way forever!

I am thinking of Brian and I hope that he can have the best day possible.  I know that he is surrounded by people who love him and care about him and will help him get through this.

Ricky Hendrick will always be remembered, never forgotten, and will always be loved by so many!

October 24, 2004....A day that will never be forgotten

I miss you Ricky!  Happy Birthday Brian! 

Yay for Wednesday's and awesome/fun nights!

Brian Vickers Mailbag: Spare-time antics

Brian Vickers heads to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, likely with a boatload of confidence. In last year's event at the 1.5-mile track in Joliet, Ill., Vickers started fifth and finished fourth.

Vickers has completed every lap in his two Cup starts at Chicagoland, with an average finish of ninth.

Q: Would you rather go to the city or the country when you go on vacation? -- Kat, Parts Unknown
Vickers: It just depends. I'd have to say though, being on the beach or on the water somewhere quiet and warm is tough to beat.

Q: Do you have any interesting phobias? -- Several users
Vickers: No, or at least none that I'm aware of. I don't have any pre-race rituals, either. I have been known though to catch a nap inside the racecar from time to time. I have just always been very comfortable in the cockpit of my racecars and it is one of the few places where we can be alone and have our thoughts to ourselves.

Q: What happens during commercials on Inside Nextel Cup? -- Becca, N.D.
Vickers: There's usually a lot of laughing. First, it's business. The producer will provide us with information and direction for the next segment and then, I listen to [Ken] Schrader and Michael [Waltrip] tell stories. Sometimes I have my own story to tell, but most of the time I'm laughing at their stories.

There's no shortage of laughs when you're around those two guys. I enjoy the opportunity I have, it's a lot fun.

Q: If you could pick your teammates, who would they be -- Several users
Vickers: I think I have pretty cool teammates right now in Jeff, Jimmie, Kyle and Terry.

Brian Vickers Power Ranking...Report: Vickers annoying team by asking for chilled Red Bull during pit stops.  (Don't ask me why I thought that was funny when I read it, but I did.  However, we all know that I still love my boy and don't you ever forget it!)

Now on to my awesome night....
Did absolutely nothing this morning/afternoon...well, that is not totally true.  I cleaned part of the house for mom, the parts that she didn't get done this weekend.  Then I chillied on the computer for a while and talked to some friends...I love you guys.  Then when Danyal got off work we went out for the night and had a blast!  We went to eat at T.G.I. Friday's.  FYI about T.G.I. Friday's...the have a drink that is Red Bull and Rasberry Vodka!!!  Yea, isn't it funny that while I was looking at the drink menu...that is the first thing that caught my eye?  I really think not. hehe  Then we went to the mall, where I bought three really cute shirts!  I so can't wait to wear them and show them off!!!  They are just too cute and I know one person that would totally love them! *wink*  Ok, enough of the clothes....  Then we went to see "Cars"  Just let me say that I love that movie and it is the cutest ever!  DW is just as annoying in the movie.  Ok, being nice now...  A huge plus in the movie though is that Junior is in it.  Well, there is a red number 8 car that is in it and is Junior.  He looks good as a car too and he was right...it looks just like him! LMAO  Crazy crazy boy!  There is one thing that he could do though...he could talk to me any time...all day even. *sigh*  There is just something about my boys...*sigh*

"Pretty disappointing result considering where we ran for most of the race, but not much I could do about it." ~Brian Vickers

I think that pretty much sums it up...

That race totally sucked!!! 

Well, minus the 14 laps that he led and the parts where he drove through the field and passed his teammates!  Oh yea, and the interview on Race Day!

Jimmie can kiss my ass at the moment!  It seems that at the end of every plate race he can kiss my ass!  Hmm...you think that he would do something about that....change things....there is always 'Dega....go kick his ass Bri!  Ok, so since they are teammates I guess that I will stop now, and as Brian would say, "be nice."  Just had to get that little rant out....  Beisdes, we all know that although I may have some Hendrick in me...I am a Brian girl first and foremost.

Boo on the fact that Tony won!  Yea, I will decide to be nice here too, but I sssssoooo don't like him at all!!!

Brian deserved much more and was much better than an 18th place finish.

Awesome job Bri!

Way to go Brian!!!  2nd place and an awesome race!  Awesome job today and tonight sweetheart!  I am so happy and so proud!!!  There is just no denying that this boy can drive the restrictor plate races and that he can drive period!  Peter was so right tonight and him saying that to Brian meant alot to him; it made me smile and brought tears to my eyes.  We sure do know what our boy is capable of and how great he is, don't we Peter.

So, NASCAR needs to stop messing with the tires and feul cells and stuff because that race could have been much better and more exciting then it was.  But, it did get better.  Way to go Junebug!  Yes, I am happy for him, although I would have absolutely loved to see the top two switch places!

I feel so bad for Jon though....stupid tire!  Not to mention that it totally tore up the pretty car!

Once again though....just in case you have forgotten...Brian finished 2nd and kicked butt the whole race!!!!!!  Seeing a happy and smiling Brian and seeing him having fun is priceless.  Yes, I am a proud girl...what can I say.

Oh yea...one more thing before I go...Me and Tiffany are 'Dega' bound yet again!  Yes, it is only June/July actually since it is now 12:00am and it isn't until October, but it is still 'Dega' and we are so excited!  Just had to throw that in there. hehe

Ok, so now that I am done with a ramble...what can I say...I am tired, have a little bit of a headache, happy and giddy all at the same time.  What a combination that is. lol

Awesome job B!  Go get 'em and show them how its done Saturday night under the lights!

#25 Sweetheart

Gosh...I love Wednesdays! hehe

Brian Vickers Mailbag: Getting prepared

Only two Nextel Cup Series drivers -- Brian Vickers and Tony Stewart -- posted top-10 results in each of the last three restrictor-place races. Vickers, driver of the No. 25 Chevrolet, finished third at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in May, seventh in the season-opening Daytona 500 in February and sixth in last fall's Talladega event.

Q: What advice would you give David Gilliland after his win last week at Kentucky? -- Anthony

Keep on doing what you're doing and don't give up. If you want it bad enough and work hard enough, things will go in your favor. There's going to be bumps in the road, but staying committed will go a long way. Regardless of what I say, it sounds as if things are headed in a positive direction for him.

Q: What's the hardest part of road-course racing? -- Several users

The hardest part is probably learning and accepting that you can't approach a road course like you do an oval. There are so many other variables involved from shifting to your braking points and making sure you hit your marks each and every lap.

Road courses aren't multi-groove tracks like some ovals, so to make a pass you have to be able to identify the weakness of the car in front of you and try to get around them by out-braking them into the corner or being able to get back to the gas quicker exiting the corner.

Q: What are your thoughts on restrictor-plate racing? -- Several users

I enjoy superspeedway racing because of the strategy that's involved. You have the one group of drivers who like racing at the restrictor-plate tracks and another group that just despises it. I'm not sure there's any middle ground when you're talking about places like Daytona and Talladega. Basically, it's a chess match at 200 mph and you have to plan ahead, know your opponent and pay just as much attention to the other cars out there and what they're doing as you do your own.

Q: Do you have an exercise regimen? If so, what is it? -- HeatherD

I workout as often as I can. I enjoy mountain biking and use it a lot of times as a workout. Other times I'll jump get in the gym do some cardio and workout with weights. Hendrick Motorsports also has a staff of trainers that I receive guidance from as it relates to my exercise program.

It can be difficult at times with our schedules, but I find the time to do it.

Q: Do you like to cook? If so, what is your favorite dish? -- Layna Nelson, New Mexico

I do enjoy cooking. I don't claim to be a chef by any means and I do appreciate the microwave, but from time to time I'll spend some time preparing a meal. Fish and chicken are some items I'll prepare. If I'm at the track making dinner, I like to use the grill when I can.

On other occasions, I'll pop something in the microwave. It really just depends on how the day went, what time it is and what's in the refrigerator. When we're away from the track, I try to go out for dinner with some friends, catch up and have a good time.

Q: Do you ever wish you would have never gotten into NASCAR -- NASCAR88KJ

There's been sacrifices along the way I've had to make, but that's true with a lot of people who have such a great passion for something. I love racing, the rush I get from it and competing. I don't regret getting involved with racing, not at all.

NO BULL Brian Vickers, who will leave Hendrick Motorsports to join Team Red Bulls NASCAR Nextel Cup debut in 2007, said he thinks the risk of moving from an established team to a start-up one is worth taking. With most people through life that do great things, at some point in time in their life they have to take great chances and have to step out of the box sometimes and try some new stuff, and that's kind of the same thing here, Vickers said. It is a new deal. These guys (Red Bull) are new to NASCAR. They are not new to motorsports, but they are new to NASCAR. Some people are going to say that's taking a risk, maybe it is. But it's a question: Do you dare to be great? And we want to try and go over there and work with these guys because we know what they are capable of it. We believe in them. They believe in us and we have got a clean sheet of paper. We'll go there and try to win races and some championships.