Nemechek heading to MB2 starting at Atlanta

CONCORD, N.C. -- Brian Vickers' move to Hendrick Motorsports' No. 25 NASCAR Winston Cup team will come a little sooner than expected.

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Vickers, the 19-year-old Busch Series sensation, will take over the car at Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend, with current driver Joe Nemechek going to MB2 Motorsports' No. 01 Pontiac.

Nemechek will also drive the 01 next season as Jerry Nadeau continues to recover from injuries sustained in a savage crash at Richmond in May. Nadeau isn't ready to come back full-time, but MB2 announced Monday it has teamed with Hendrick and NEMCO Motorsports to provide a "recovery program" that likely will include Cup, Busch and ARCA races next season.

Vickers was supposed to drive the No. 01 in the final four races before moving to Hendrick next season.

"This opportunity affords both Brian and Joe the chance to get a jump on next season with their new teams," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "It's something that we all feel is mutually beneficial for the drivers and organizations alike.

"Joe led the No. 25 team back to Victory Lane and handled himself like a genuine professional from Day One. We truly appreciate everything he's done for Hendrick Motorsports, both on the race track and off."

Nemechek joined Hendrick Motorsports early last year, replacing Nadeau. Nemechek has three career Winston Cup victories to his credit, including a win in the No. 25 at Richmond in May.

	Brian Vickers (center) made his Winston Cup debut at Lowe's last week, finishing 33rd. Credit: Autostock

"Joe will be a great addition to our team," MB2 Motorsports general manager Jay Frye said. "He is a proven veteran who always gives 100 percent both on and off the track. We are happy that he will be part of helping in Jerry's recovery and I truly feel this is a win-win scenario for everyone associated in our organization."

Nemechek is 26th in the points standings, with one victory -- at Richmond -- and five top-10 finishes.

"This is not the way any racer wants to get a ride," Nemechek said. "But I am ready to jump into the 01 Pontiac and give it everything I have... Being able to drive for the Army team at the last four races will make for a smoother transition for the 2004 season."

Frye said that Nadeau's ongoing recovery made it necessary for the team to seek a full-time driver for next season.

"We were faced with circumstances that none of us wished we had to deal with," Frye said. But due to the reality of our current situation, we felt in the best interests of Jerry and of the race team this was the right path to take as we head into the 2004 season."

Once Nadeau is ready, Hendrick, MB2 and NEMCO will have cars available for him. While Nadeau said the "reality of not being able to come back sooner than I would have liked is hard to take," he won't come back too soon.

"I have repeatedly said that I will not rush back," Nadeau said. "I still have a ways to go, but I will get there."