A corrective surgery will bench NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers for the start of the 2015 season, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced Monday afternoon.
Vickers admitted himself to a hospital last week after not feeling well. Upon results of those tests, it was determined that his body was rejecting an artificial patch that was inserted in 2010 to fix a hole in his heart. This past Saturday, Vickers had surgery to repair the hole and is (now) beginning the healing process.
As part of the recovery, Vickers must sit out the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Sunday Feb. 22.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that health issues that have sidelined the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner. In fact, this occurrence is his third in a period of six seasons, all while competing at NASCAR’s top level.
The Thomasville, North Carolina-native competed in just the first 11 races in 2010, after blood clots in his legs and lungs were discovered in May 2010. A few months later, Vickers had heart surgery with the intent of keeping (blood) clots from forming.
He returned for the 2011 season-opener at Daytona and remained both healthy and on the race track, until the final five weeks of the 2013 season, when a blood clot formed in his right calf.
No timetable has been set for the 31-year old’s return in 2015.
“My previous experiences have given me a very keen understanding of my body,” Vickers said in a team release. “Late last week I knew something wasn’t right, so I went to the hospital to be checked out.
“Following several tests, it was discovered that my body was rejecting an artificial patch that was inserted in 2010 to fix a hole in my heart. Saturday, I had to have corrective surgery to repair the hole and now I am beginning the recovery process.”
Vickers had been upbeat about his health and the issue of reoccurring of blood clots, because of the surgery in 2010 and with the doctor’s abilities to pinpoint the specific cause of them. The initial clots in 2010 were caused by Vickers being immobilized after a crash at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, then spending time on a plane shortly thereafter. The clot last year was the result of a sprain in his right foot suffered in a hard crash at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in August, and then being put in a protective boot, which easily restricted blood flow.
Despite his personal challenges, the 2003 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion remains upbeat and determined to once again battle back once again and prove his worth.
“I want to thank everyone for their sincere support. I have faced obstacles before and it has made victory that much sweeter and I know that will be the case again. I will need plenty of time, rest and rehab but this temporary setback will not stop me from pursuing my dream of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.”
Michael Waltrip Racing co-team owner Rob Kauffman stood firm that the organization will stand behind Vickers and will soon begin evaluating its options for a possible substitute.
“Brian has been a part of the MWR family since 2012 and our thoughts today are with Brian, his wife Sarah and the Vickers family,” said MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman. “As a race team, MWR has plenty to consider and we will confer with our partners, including Aaron’s and Toyota. As this is fresh news, we will adjust our future plans as more information becomes available.”
Ideal replacements include Michael Waltrip, Kauffman’s partner at MWR, as well as Brett Moffitt, a development driver for Michael Waltrip Racing.
In 58 races driving MWR’s No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota, Vickers scored eight top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. He won the July race at New Hampshire in 2013 and captured the pole at Talladega in October 2014. The three-time XFINITY Series race winner owns three victories and 12 poles in 316 career Sprint Cup starts.
This season, the Miami, Florida resident finished 22nd in series points, recording three top-fives, nine top-10s and one pole at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
