Vickers sidelined due to recurrence of blood clots

Brett Moffitt, 22, will steer the car this weekend -- his first time ever turning at lap at the 2-mile speedway -- while Vickers begins blood-thinning medication which prevents him from racing.

"First and foremost our thoughts are with Brian and his family,'' Waltrip said. "He isn't just our race car driver, he is our friend and we know the NASCAR community will continue to rally around Brian.

Waltrip said he spent time with Vickers in New Orleans this week before they all travelled to California in preparation for Sunday's Auto Club 400 (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX). The team received a call at 1 a.m. local time Friday from Vickers relaying the situation, and he is still in California under the care of doctors. Waltrip said that when he last saw his driver, there was no indication there was a problem.

"Obviously he was disappointed in the results, but Brian has a lot of things in perspective,'' Ty Norris, executive vice president of business development and general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, said. "He was aware of the issue, thought he knew what it was and it was confirmed."

Waltrip reminded that "the situation is very fluid and it's new information," noting that no plans have been made beyond this weekend. He did say, however, that Moffitt, who finished eighth filling in for Vickers at Atlanta, would be the go-to driver as a replacement.

"For the foreseeable future, Brett's definitely our guy,'' Waltrip said.

Vickers missed the first two races of the year while recovering from heart surgery in December and NASCAR kept him Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup-eligible. Waltrip said he has not spoken with NASCAR yet to see how this setback affects his eligibility for NASCAR's 10-race, season-ending playoff. It's the fourth time Vickers has had to take time off for medical issues since 2010.

"Thankfully because I recognized the signs and symptoms the doctors caught this early and I'm going to be OK,'' Vickers said in a team statement. "I had finished my treatment for the clot I had in my leg back in 2013 and I haven't needed to be on a blood thinner for a clot in my leg or lung since.

"I'm going to follow doctor's orders and do everything I need to do to get well.''

Ironically, Vickers was supposed to be making appearances on behalf of sponsor Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its blood-thinning drug Xarelto at the track marking what is "Blood Clot Awareness Month," including a press conference at Auto Club Speedway.

"I'm disappointed I can't be there, but if there is a silver lining in all this, hopefully what's happened to me will help raise awareness on this important health issue,'' he said. 

Vickers took to Facebook on Friday afternoon to thank his fans for their support.

Like other Sprint Cup Series competitors, points leader Kevin Harvick said he really felt for Vickers.  "I feel bad for Brian because he does have that drive and determination to be in the car, and he's already overcome so much. It's just really really unfortunate."

The situation especially hits home for Waltrip, whose mother suffered a stroke after a blood clot and has required round-the-clock care ever since.

"When I look at my mom, I'm reminded spreading the word [about blood clots] is so important,'' Waltrip said.

"Obviously this is a setback for our team and Brian, but this morning, we're just glad Brian's okay."

Moffitt had been driving the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford. The team announced that XFINITY Series Roush Fenway Racing driver Chris Buescher would take over the ride this weekend.

MORE: