Brian Vickers has two career starts at Watkins Glen. Credit: Autostock

Brian Vickers Mailbag: Feeling important

Brian Vickers heads to Watkins Glen this weekend 16th in the Nextel Cup Series standings. He has reason to be confident, as he finished eighth at the serpentine New York track last season.

Q: How long did it take you to film that Arby's commercial? -- Several users

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

Vickers: The Mountain Dew/Arby's commercial shoot was what's considered a full day shoot and lasted between 6-8 hours. The spots were shot in Los Angeles back in January. I get a lot of positive feedback from fans that have seen the commercials -- they're pretty funny.

Q: I heard folks say Sunday that the Brickyard was equal to the Daytona 500 in terms of importance. What do you think? -- Adam, Delmar N.Y.

Vickers: Indianapolis and Daytona are probably at the top of everyone's list. I think some people, if they could choose, would rather win at Indianapolis as opposed to winning the Daytona 500.

The Daytona 500 is a huge race, always been big for our sport, and you can't discredit it, but at Daytona you can have the best car all day, be the best driver all race, and can catch the draft the wrong way or have someone not push you and lose.

Indy is more of a driver's track and we all know the history that's associated with it.

Q: Do you have any tattoos? If not, would you ever get one and what would it be if you did? -- Samantha, Port Allen, Ark.

Vickers: I don't have any tattoos that I remember (laughing). If I were to get one, it would probably be of the number "7."

Q: What was it like the first time you got behind the wheel of a racecar? -- Several users

Vickers: It was pretty neat to get behind the wheel of a stock car after coming from go-karts. Being in a closed-cockpit and feeling the power was breathtaking the first time.

After running a few races you get used to the power and want more and more. That part hasn't changed, even today.

Q: When did you know for sure you were going to race for a living. -- Several users

Vickers: I don't know exactly when I figured out I wanted to pursue a career in racing -- probably somewhere in my early teenage years. The first time I got in a go-kart, and especially when I began actually racing with other people; that's when I fell in love, mostly because of my passion for the adrenaline rush and my need to compete and beat the person next to me.