Vickers experiences driveshaft trouble

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Brian Vickers got a scare during Saturday's first practice session for Sunday's Golden Corral 500.

His No. 25 Chevrolet began spewing fluid in the final minutes of the session, forcing NASCAR to end the session a couple of minutes early.

Inbetween the two sessions, there was talk that the engine had expired, which would have forced Vickers to forfeit the second-place starting spot he earned Friday during Bud Pole Qualifying.

Golden Corral 500  Lineup  Happy Hour Speeds  2nd Practice Speeds  1st Practice Speeds

In the end, it was discovered that it was a driveshaft problem. As a result, an engine change was not needed.

"We're not really sure what happened, other than the driveshaft went," vickers said. "I'm really happy that it wasn't the motor, because that would have cost us a lot."

Vickers had been struggling throughout the session. He was 25th on the speed chart with a lap of 184.394 miles per hour. His final complete lap prior to the incident clocked in at 175.899.

After the problem was fixed, Vickers returned to the track early in the second session. He ended up 18th on the speed chart.

Other than some lost time, Vickers said from his perspective, the incident wasn't that big of a deal.

"We definitely lost some time in the second practice, but I think we'll be all right tomorrow," he said.

Dodges took the top two spots in Saturday's final practice. Dave Blaney led the session with a lap at 187.595 mph. Casey Mears was second at 186.925.

Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Ward Burton rounded out the top five in the session.

Tony Stewart led Saturday's first session with a lap at 187.773 mies per hour. Jeff Gordon was second at 187.076 and Jimmie Johnson was third at 186.969.