Countdown to Daytona: Owner Point Style No. 20 (Brian Vickers)

We’re in the home stretch now as the days until the Budweiser Shootout continue to shrink. (OK, so today is only Day 16 of my 35-day venture, but it seems like I’ve been doing this a lot longer!)

As I said yesterday, from here on out, things should (and I use that term lightly!) be easier and more complete as far as teams, drivers and sponsors.

Today, we feature a team that has shown vast improvement since its rookie year, two seasons ago.

Brian Vickers was laughed at and criticized when he opted to jump ship from the sports most dominant team (Hendrick Motorsports) to go to a start-up operation with no guaranteed spot.

Last season, Vickers almost made fools out of everyone who mocked him, when his No. 83 team competed for the Chase most of the season.

Eventually, things fell off and Vickers dropped out of contention, but 2009 awaits.

Here is a look at today’s team:

Today’s Spotlight: No. 83

Team: Team Red Bull

Driver: Brian Vickers

Sponsor: Red Bull Energy Drink. For a look a paint scheme visit Jayski.com.

Driver 2008 Stats: Vickers earned more than $3.5 million en route to a 19th place finish in the championship points. He collected six top-10 finishes and four top-fives, with an average finishing position of 20th.

News: Vickers and the No. 83 team enter 2009 with a few changes. The most obvious being a new teammate in Scott Speed. Vickers will also have someone new calling the shots during the races in his third season with Team Red Bull.

Ryan Pemberton will be Vickers’ crew chief in 2009. Pemberton most recently was crew chief for the No. 44 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota with driver David Reutimann.

My Prediction for 2009: If 2008 was an indication of how much this team can improve and build upon during an off-season, then 2009 should be tremendous for these guys. Vickers, at one point, was a contender for the Chase in 2008, and I predict he will contend—not make— for the Chase again.

I see this team improving a few more positions and finishing in the range of 13th to 17th. (Chase in 2010? Not impossible!)

Will this team remain in top-35: Yes—this question gets easier, obviously, as we go along!

Up Tomorrow: No. 2 Kurt Busch

This story also appears on my blog: Sports 101

Reminder: Only 20 days until the Budweiser Shootout!

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