David Ragan to Replace Brian Vickers for Rest of Season Due to Blood Clots

David Ragan's whirlwind season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has taken another turn as it was announced Tuesday that the veteran will drive the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55 car for the remainder of the 2015 campaign.

With Brian Vickers out of action indefinitely due to blood clots, Ragan's transition was made official on NASCAR.com.

The 29-year-old driver from Unadilla, Georgia, had been filling in for the injured Kyle Busch as pilot of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing machine, but he will make the transition to MWR starting with the May 9 race at Kansas Speedway.

Regardless of whether Vickers is able to return to action in 2015, Ragan will remain in the No. 55 for the duration of the year, according to ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass:

That type of security is something that the 10th-year Sprint Cup veteran is extremely excited about, per NASCAR.com:

"

The only way I can repay all the people I have to thank for making this happen is to go out and win races and get MWR, Aaron's and Toyota in the Chase. It's going to be awesome knowing when I climb in the No. 55 at Kansas that car will be mine the rest of the season. I look forward to working with (teammate) Clint Bowyer, the crew and shop employees at MWR. It's tough what's happened to them this year, but I hope I can come in and make 2015 something special.

"

Although JGR has yet to make an announcement regarding the No. 18 car, it is assumed that 18-year-old Erik Jones will step in until Busch is ready to return, according to ESPN's Marty Smith:

While it isn't uncommon for drivers to play musical chairs with their rides during the offseason, it isn't often that it occurs in the midst of competition.

Injuries to big-name drivers have forced some sudden changes, but Ragan will now enter a situation with some semblance of permanence, which should allow him to focus on making a charge toward the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

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