Brian Vickers' average start at Phoenix is 3.8 in four races. Credit: Autostock

Brian Vickers Mailbag: Stepping up to the plate

Brian Vickers heads to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend for the Subway Fresh 500. Vickers currently sits 20th in the Nextel Cup standings, 379 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

Q: The softer bumper was announced last week for the restrictor-plate tracks. What's your feeling on this? -- Joe, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

	Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers Brian Vickers at PIR in 2005 Race Start Finish Spring 5 5 Fall 6 26 Average 5.5 15.5

Vickers: Ninety-plus percent of our wrecks didn't have to do with bump drafting, some did. For the most part, I think a large portion of the accidents have been caused by door-slamming, cutting people off and trying to block, not bump drafting.

I think the racing will be more boring because it's going to be harder to pass and you're going to see more single-file racing and fewer passes in general. Bump drafting is really what helped us to make passes.

Q: What was your first meeting with the Hendrick organization like? What were you thinking? -- Cierra, Tenn.

Vickers: It was a pretty big deal for me. It was the most formal racing environment setting I'd have ever been to up until that point and somewhat intimidating. We were sitting in a boardroom with some people that have been in this sport for a long time. I didn't ask a lot of questions, but it worked out well.

Q: What is your favorite memory growing up racing? -- ncsweetie41, Parts Unknown

Vickers: There's a lot of good memories, but what really stands out was spending time with my family and friends on the weekends, developing lasting friendships, racing, winning races, championships and just having fun.

VICKERS MAILBAG Brian Vickers will answer fans' questions each week on NASCAR.COM.  •   To post a question, click here

Q: Are you a risk taker on the track, or do you just play it cool and see what happens? -- Jenna Walmer, Parts Unknown

Vickers: I try to be both. There's a time and place for everything. Patiently aggressive probably best represents my sort of style.

Q: Whatever happened to your old BLV Motorsports? Have you ever thought about starting it back up as the car owner and hiring a driver to race for you in USAR or the Busch Series? -- hms25chevy, Parts Unknown

Vickers: I have given some thought to starting my own team. I think that's something I'd like to do in the future, but the timing is not right for me to do something like that now.