TwoCents And Five Questions With Brian Vickers

photo: nascarmedia.com

…Brian Vickers, NASCAR Driver

I know what you’re thinking: This is a TV website, why are you interviewing a NASCAR driver? The answer is simple. I love NASCAR. Just kidding (well not really…I do love NASCAR)! Actually, we had a lot of positive responses from our reviews of the 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona special and I want to incorporate some more sports/television crossovers into the site. And just my luck, a NASCAR driver is guest-starring on one of my favorite shows, My Boys.

Brian Vickers, driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series and the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota in the Nationwide Series, has been racing since he was 8 and made his NASCAR Nationwide (then Busch) Series debut in 2001. In 2003, he landed a Busch series ride with Hendrick Motorsports and eventually moved up to their Cup program, driving their No. 25 car and finishing the car in the best points position in a decade. He was definitely making a name for himself and in 2007, headed over to newly-formed Red Bull Racing. It was a tough start, but in 2009, Vickers found his pace, getting his first win and making the Chase for the Sprint Cup (he ended 12th in points – last place). But the future looks bright.

When he’s not driving at nearly 200 mph every weekend, he is participating in Red Bull adventures like skydiving and scuba diving and enjoys going to live sporting events. And now, I suppose, you can add acting to that list. Vickers was nice enough to speak with TheTwoCents about his role on the show, what sports he enjoys, things he likes about Chicago and more.

TheTwoCents: How did the guest appearance come about?

Brian Vickers: It’s all about networking in NASCAR. With my teams and company I have set up, we have met a lot of great people. We have a connection with the Nationwide Series through the head of PR there. She has been really cool to us and we have worked with her in the past when she was at Sprint. The phone rang one day with the request and originally we had to turn it down because of some scheduling stuff but I was able to move some things around and fit the shoot in. Looking back on it, I am glad I did it. We met some really great people from the cast and crew, to the writer Betsy, who even brought her son to the set. He is all about cars but when we fired the car up – he had to cover his ears. Kids love that stuff!

TTC: My Boys is based around a group of friends living in Chicago who bond over their love for the Cubs. Besides your Red Bull adventures like skydiving, what kind of sports do you and your friends enjoy?

BV: Some of the best fun I have had is out playing golf with friends. In the past some charity tournaments have turned into some great memories – it’s always fun to play in Jimmie [Johnson]‘s tournament he has in San Diego in the fall for the foundation. As well, I get to play with my buddy Toby in the T. Wayne Memorial Classic each year. We have been close with his family for years and that’s a fun one. I also ride with my friend Kyle from the team on the bikes. I get to do that around the city of NY when I am up there. I have an ocean kayak at my home in Florida. That’s always nice to go paddle on the water there. There are also trips to rock climb and hike when I can, too. I get to do that on trips out west to Aspen. I’ve recently gone on ski/snowboard trips with friends out there, too.

TTC: What kind of role will you be playing?

BV: In the show I get to play myself (for the most part). There are a few lines that were adapted for the show and the setting itself, but it’s almost like a post-race interview in the media area. It’s a great look for the Nationwide Series as well as my sponsor Dollar General.

TTC: When NASCAR is in Chicago for the race, what kinds of things do you like to do outside of the track?

BV: Chicago is a great city. It’s well laid out. Lots of good restaurants and hotels. The waterfront is really cool too along Lake Michigan and the river. The track is set about 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and I stay at the track so I don’t get out as much there as I would like to but have stayed over night an extra day to enjoy the city.

TTC: Besides your promos for races and Red Bull, do you have any acting history or have any previous guest roles in the past?

BV: This was one of the first real acting things I was able to do. Back in the day with Garnier I did something with The Daily Show where it was a mock interview/spoof on NASCAR. That’s about it. I had a great time doing the My Boys show and if the opportunity came up again for another show, I would definitely consider it.

**BONUS QUESTION!!!!** List the 5 American TV Shows you would show someone who has NEVER seen TV before.

BV: Friends, Seinfeld, MASH, I Love Lucy and LOST. They may be LOST with LOST, but most people are if they haven’t seen it from the beginning.

Although it will be a little while before you can see him on the show, this weekend you can watch him on ABC at 2 PM (EST) on Saturday in the Nationwide Series race and FOX at 1 PM (EST) on Sunday in the Sprint Cup Series race from Bristol Motor Speedway. For more information about Brian Vickers, visit his website at www.brianvickers.com.

Farrah Kaye – Associate Editor
farrah@thetwocentscorp.com