Brian Vickers' health issues come at trying time for Michael Waltrip Racing

By Jeff Hammond
Published

The big news this week was the announcement that Brian Vickers, who drives for Michael Waltrip Racing, will have to sit out the early part of next season to do health reasons.

Brian had surgery last Saturday to repair a patch covering a hole in his heart. Complications from blood clots forced Brian out of the car for most of the 2010 season and caused him to run a part-time schedule in 2013.

Right now I can promise you two things are happening. The first is that Michael Waltrip Racing is looking under ever rock for the best prospect they can get to fill in until Brian is cleared to return. Second, I can also promise you that they are being inundated by drivers who are looking for a chance to drive Brian's Toyota.

Unfortunately MWR had a pretty dismal 2014 season and was looking to rebound in 2015 with both their cars. Now being dealt this medical issue is going to make it even more of a hurdle for the No. 55 team to bounce back. As much as Brian's health is the top priority, from a business standpoint the health of Michael Waltrip Motorsports is equally a priority. They have sponsors for that car that have already laid out marketing and advertising plans that now possibly have to be reworked.

You also can't lose sight of the fact that Brian's not going to be behind the wheel at the start of the 2015 season that features new rule changes that will affect the cars. Don't forget, the cars will lose downforce and horsepower next season. That combined with the no testing rule NASCAR has put in effect and then you have to take your primary driver out of the car makes for a pretty steep incline.

Unfortunately it's been a long dry spell for Michael Waltrip Racing to be in Victory Lane. So they need to be taking a long-term view of what is best for the organization to keep their existing sponsors happy as well as put a product out there that can possibly attract new ones. It's a tough situation for everyone involved.

I see this as a real critical year for the organization and I don't envy the decisions they are faced with making right now.