#83-Brian Vickers cockpit was contaminated by excessive heat and fumes resulting from an exhaust system failure half-way through the race [at Bristol]. Vickers soldiered on for 200+ laps while enduring burns on his bottom and feet and noxious exhaust leaking into his racecar to lead a lap in competition and finish on the lead lap in 15th place.
Part-way through the race, Vickers suddenly radioed the team that his engine was running roughly and he had smoke and fumes entering his cockpit. Initially suspecting another engine malady, it was subsequently revealed that a section of exhaust pipe directly beneath Vickers seat had failed and separated, affecting the engine s performance. Vickers reported a severe heat problem developing inside his Toyota.
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