With the impending demise of Red Bull Racing’s NASCAR program, Brian Vickers repeatedly stated that he “had options” as the 2011 race season drew to a close. At this point, I’m wondering, exactly what are/were those options?
It’s January now, and it looks like most of the quality, competitive seats in the Sprint Cup Series, and even the Nationwide Series for that matter, have been spoken for. A.J. Allmendinger claimed the available No. 22 ride at Penske Racing, Aric Almirola took Allmendinger’s place at Richard Petty Motorsports and both Richard Childress Racing and Roush Fenway Racing are scaling back for 2012. So, what are these options Vickers speaks of?
There’s been a lot of shuffling this offseason, as more drivers than usual have found themselves out of rides, either by right-out firing or rides going away, than in seasons of recent past. But most of those drivers have either made their 2012 plans “official” or at least hinted at possible plans.
Still, there’s no specifics on these “options” Vickers spoke of. Hammer that final nail in the coffin on the Red Bull Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program. Michael Waltrip Racing is, reportedly, in talks to purchase the assets of the now, seemingly, defunct Red Bull Sprint Cup team. But those assets are to include equipment, shop space and owner points, not another driver.
So there’s even clear indication of the future of the equipment of the now former Red Bull team. But still, not specifics of Vickers’ future.
Are those “I have options” statements hot air? It’s January, and we still haven’t heard what those options are. Will he be in a quality ride in 2012? Will be become and “also ran” in a “back marker” ride? Will he be an odd man out, still looking for a place to land when everyone else takes the green flag at Daytona next month? Questions to ponder. Maybe only Vickers knows the answers.
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/06 at 06:11 AM
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