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NASCAR: Five Reasons Brian Vickers Is A Good Choice For The No. 14

By Cole Mentzel

Oct 19, 2014; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers (55) during driver introductions prior to the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers (55) during driver introductions prior to the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers (55) walks to the garage prior to practice at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers (55) walks to the garage prior to practice at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

Tony Stewart won’t be in the No. 14 car for the beginning of the NASCAR season, but he has a solid replacement in Brian Vickers.

Tony Stewart’s final NASCAR season has not started the way he wanted it to. After suffering a vertebrae injury after an ATV accident, Stewart had surgery and is set to be out for the beginning of the 2016 season.

After the news dropped, many began to speculate as to who would be his replacement and how it would impact his final season. Some wondered if Jeff Gordon would be willing to come out of retirement, others thought about Clint Bowyer, the future replacement for Stewart, and drivers like Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte came into the discussion. Now, we finally have the answer: Brian Vickers.

The news brings about some interesting topics including how well Vickers will be able to race since he has had health issues for the past six seasons.

In 2010, blood clots were discovered, leading to heart surgery and him missing 25 races. That was just the beginning of trouble as more blood clots were found in 2013. Finally, in 2014, he had to have more heart surgery and was limited to only two races in the 2015 season.

Through 13 years of racing in the Sprint Cup Series, Vickers has just three wins so many are also skeptical of his ability to perform on NASCAR’s biggest stage.

Though there are many concerns for Vickers, the move will ultimately prove to be a good one for Stewart-Haas Racing and the No. 14 team.

Next: Consistency Is Key

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