Brian Vickers finished 37th in last season's fall race at Richmond. Credit: Autostock

Brian Vickers Mailbag: Nothing to hide

Brian Vickers heads to Richmond International Raceway this week for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. In five career RIR starts, Vickers has one top-10, an eighth in his first appearance there in May 2004.

Q: Do you think that there will be a point in the future when you will feel comfortable enough to elaborate on your reasons for leaving Hendrick Motorsports, or have you given the general public all of the information you deem necessary? -- totsnkahne, Parts Unknown

Vickers: Truthfully, there's nothing to be said that's not already been said. There's no hidden reasons or anything like that. We're all trying to do our best, trying to get that first win. Maybe this weekend at Richmond things will work out.

Q: If you could take away all of the PR stuff that goes along with being a Nextel Cup driver (i.e. answering these mailbag questions) would you enjoy your career just as much or do you feel that fan interaction helps you enjoy the sport even more? -- bullseye83

Vickers: I realized when I was progressing through the ranks that there's a lot more to being a race car driver than just driving the car. I've accepted that and try to make the best of it. Our sport runs on support from the fans, corporate partners and the media.

Q: What is your favorite genre of music? Are you a country boy or are into rock or rap? -- Caty Cole, Parts Unknown

Vickers: Honestly I like all kinds of music from rock, top 20 to rap, country to jazz. If I had to choose, I think I tend to probably listen to more rock and top-20 stuff. I've mentioned it before, but O.A.R. is currently my favorite band and it's going to be pretty cool having them on our GMAC Chevy this weekend at Richmond for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400.

Q: Is there a way to adjust the handling of the car from the inside the car like in IRL? Becca, N.D.

Vickers: The only legal adjustment we can make from inside the car applies to the brake bias. Brake bias is essentially the amount of braking pressure that gets applied to either the front or rear brakes.

We have a dial inside of the car that you can turn from left to right or right to left. The direction you turn the dial depends on whether you're trying to put more brake in the car or take it out. Sometimes adjusting the brake bias can help when, for example the car is too loose getting into the corners.

Q: Do you think that the addition of all of these new Nextel Cup rides for 2007 will enhance the level of competition in the sport or dillute the talent pool because of the presence of new drivers with minimal experience? -- bullseye83

Vickers: The addition of the new teams is good for the sport and it says a lot about the Nextel Cup Series. My belief is that the arrival of the new teams in 2007 will increase what is already a very, very competitive Nextel Cup Series.