Brian Vickers led 121 laps at Pocono in June. Credit: Autostock

Vickers feels he's on cusp of breakthrough

Sophomore driver nearly won Pocono 500 in June

Good things come to those who wait -- but you can't blame Brian Vickers if he's getting a little antsy.

Sixty races into his Cup career, Vickers has three top-five finishes -- all within the past 12 races -- and nine top-10s. What he doesn't have is a trip to Victory Lane.

Brian Vickers Credit: Autostock

"I've raced in a lot of different series in the past 14 years and you feel like you always run into the same thing," Vickers said.

"The closer you get to the win, the harder it seems to get. But one guy told me one time -- a manufacturer I drove for -- said no matter what happens at the end of the race, if you run good, and they know you were there and you lead the most laps, you can't walk away with your head down.

"I think that's the mentality we've tried to take this year.

"Yeah, it can get frustrating. With some of the struggles we went through as a team last year, to be running this good week in and week out, no matter what happens, is good."

Vickers posted a career-best finish of second at Pocono in June, leading a race-high 121 laps as the runner-up to Roush Racing's Carl Edwards.

Not surprising, the No. 25 Hendrick Chevy will have the same chassis this weekend.

FedEx PreviewNBC/TNT's Marty Snider previews the action at Pocono Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

"The team has a great opportunity to run really well," Vickers said. "I've always enjoyed the track and the No. 25 car has run well there in the past.

"The way we ran in June was promising, but we can't go in just expecting to win. We still have to work for it and earn it, but I feel like we've got a good shot."

Rick Hendrick leads all car owners with 10 Cup wins at Pocono.

Five different drivers have won under the Hendrick banner, including Jeff Gordon (3), Tim Richmond (3), Jimmie Johnson (2), Geoffrey Bodine (1) and Terry Labonte (1).

Now Vickers looks to add his name to the list. In three career starts at Pocono, he has qualified no worse than sixth and has an average finish of 9.3.

	Jimmie Johnson
	Inside the Numbers Season sweeps at Pocono Year Driver 1982 Bobby Allison 1985 Bill Elliott 1986 Tim Richmond 1999 Bobby Labonte 2004 Jimmie Johnson Consecutive wins at Pocono Driver No. Bobby Allison 3 Tim Richmond 3 Bill Elliott 2 Jimmie Johnson 2 Bobby Labonte 2

However, crew chief Lance McGrew knows the team cannot rest on its laurels.

"You always have high expectations when you go back to a place where you've run well," he said, "but we realize the track isn't going to be the same.

"I've only been there one time, but I understand Pocono loses a lot of grip for the July race. That in itself poses another set of challenges with regard to getting the car where it needs to be.

"You're always looking to be as good or better, but it's not a given without some adjustments.

"Goodyear has brought a softer tire this year to combat some of the aero changes in the cars," McGrew added. "That has made it really difficult for us to get the balance perfect without blistering a rear tire or a front tire.

"For some reason, the tires just don't wear very well. They keep a lot of heat in them, which is where you start getting the issues with blistering.

"It's kind of weird because the tires are softer than they used to be, so you would expect them to wear. But they just don't."

Edwards, who was only the second driver to win at Pocono in his first start on the tri-oval, is excited about returning to the unique flat track.

"Our last trip there was awesome," he said. "To win there was really special since it was Jack's first win, and I think for us as a team it really demonstrated that our win at Atlanta wasn't just a fluke.

"I think we have the potential to run really well there this weekend and I think we have the opportunity to possibly get back into the Chase."

Edwards currently is 12th in points, 472 behind leader Jimmie Johnson, the defending race winner. But he's only 72 points outside the 400-point cut-off in the Race for the Chase.

"Even though our results have been up and down," Edwards said, "Overall we've been consistently fast and that's a great feeling.

"I'm really looking forward to returning to Pocono and trying my hardest to get the sweep in 2005."