2014 Driver Reviews: No. 22 Brian Vickers

After doing exit interviews for Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2013, we’re turning the tables. We want the drivers to sell themselves. So here are the resumés for all full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2014. Then, at the end, we’ll provide a summation of the driver’s season in 150 words or less.

Name: Brian Vickers

NASCAR Experience: Seven full-time seasons in the Cup Series, 12 overall. Yes, just turned 31 years old in October. Three wins and the 2003 Nationwide Series title.

Most recent team: Michael Waltrip Racing

Most recent season finish: 22nd.

2014 accomplishments: Second at Daytona in the summer after rain cut short the race and gave Aric Almirola the win and a Chase berth. Finished fourth at Texas and Talladega in the spring.

Most memorable moment: It’s not pretty, but it’s the lap two crash at Michigan in June after qualifying 10th.

Strengths: Three wins have come on a diverse array of tracks (restrictor plate, two-mile track and one-mile track.)

2015 goals: Recover quickly and get back to the Sprint Cup Series fully healthy.

FTM’s Take: After winning a race while driving part-time for MWR in 2013, Vickers is rewarded with a full-time ride in 2014. And after finishing 22nd, he’s now going to miss the beginning of 2015 because of complications from a 2010 heart procedure. That’s tough.

Last year, MWR took a step back when dropping down to two full-time cars. Vickers has shown he can be competitive in the right situation. If MWR and Joe Gibbs Racing can figure out their information sharing, Vickers can be a threat at times when he gets back in the driver’s seat.

Previous reviews: No. 23 Marcos Ambrose, No. 24 Martin Truex Jr., No. 25 Tony Stewart, No. 26 Casey Mears, No. 27 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 28, Danica Patrick, No. 29, Justin Allgaier, No. 30, David Gilliland, No. 31 Cole Whitt, No. 32 David Ragan, No. 33 Michael Annett, No. 34 Reed Sorenson, No. 35 Alex Bowman