Vickers to Drive No. 25 GMAC Chevrolets in 2004
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2003) - Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, today announced that 19-year-old Brian Vickers will move into the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2004 as driver of the No. 25 Chevrolet Monte Carlos with primary sponsorship from GMAC Financial Services.
“Bringing this young man on board has been truly exciting,” Hendrick said. “Brian has proven that he has the tools to be successful, not only through on-track performance, but with his maturity and ability to handle himself in a way that represents our sponsors, our teams and our sport in a positive light.
"There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to have a very long and productive career.”
The move taps Vickers as the youngest full-time competitor in the history of NASCAR’s premier tour, currently known as Winston Cup and commencing in 2004 as the Nextel Cup. The multi-year commitment marks GMAC’s first-ever primary sponsorship of a Cup-level team.
“The opportunity that Rick Hendrick and GMAC have offered me is tremendous,” Vickers said. “My goal in coming to Hendrick Motorsports was to be competitive each week and race for championships. I’ll continue to do that this year with GMAC in the Busch Series and look forward to moving to Cup with them in 2004. This is a dream come true for me.”
As the youngest full-time participant in any of NASCAR’s top three classes, Vickers ranks third in Busch Series championship points with 15 top-10 finishes and eight top-fives, including victories at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Aug. 2 and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Aug. 30.
The Thomasville, N.C., native, who turns 20 on Oct. 24, signed with Hendrick Motorsports in December 2002 as driver of the No. 5 GMAC-sponsored Chevrolets in the NASCAR Busch Series after competing on the circuit part-time for two seasons while finishing high school with honors.
James Farmer, GMAC vice president, Merchandising, Advertising and Communications, called Vickers’ move into Nextel Cup racing “a terrific opportunity. We’ve been involved with Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR for almost a decade. We also know that lots of our customers are NASCAR fans, so it’s a great fit, especially for the mortgage and insurance elements of our business.”
“We’re honored that the folks at GMAC have chosen to continue their relationship with Hendrick Motosports by exercising their option to move to the Nextel Cup Series with Brian,” Hendrick added. “They’ve been an integral part of our success and we look forward to continuing our association with GMAC for many years to come.”
Hendrick Motorsports has earned eight NASCAR championships since 1984, including five Cup Series titles and three in the Craftsman Truck Series. In 614 Cup races, Hendrick-owned teams have amassed 114 victories and 112 pole positions.
Joe Nemechek will continue as driver the No. 25 Chevrolets throughout the remainder of the year before Vickers joins the team following the 2003 season finale.
Besides Vickers, GMAC -- along with GMAC Insurance, its GM Protection Plan product and ditech.com, a mortgage-lending unit of GMAC Mortgage -- will continue associate sponsorships with the teams of Nextel Cup drivers Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Terry Labonte in 2004. Ditech.com and GMAC also will continue to support the Busch Series team of driver Kyle Busch with an associate sponsorship.
GMAC Financial Services includes automotive financing, commercial finance, insurance and mortgage products, and real estate services. With a presence in 41 nations, GMAC earned nearly $1.9 billion in 2002.
A wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors since 1919, GMAC has extended more than $1 trillion in credit to finance upwards of 150 million vehicles.
