Earning His NASCAR “Wings”

If Red Bull really does give you wings, then it's fitting the energy drink company is backing two of the youngest NASCAR drivers around, Brian Vickers and Scott Speed.

Growing up in North Carolina -- or NASCAR central -- you could say driving a race car is in Vickers' blood.

Now he drives the No. 83 Toyota Camry for Team Red Bull on the extremely competitive SPRINT Cup circuit.

"When you talk about racing, especially in the NASCAR SPRINT cup series, the guy that runs 30th or 40th can win in any other series," said Vickers, "He probably has won in every other series he has ever raced in or he wouldn't even be in this garage. You've got to remember when you are comparing 1st to 30th in this garage -they've all won races or championships in something."

Vickers, who is no stranger to the Lone Star state, said he enjoys visiting the area and often arrives in Texas several days before a race.

"Texas is one my favorite states to come to," said Vickers, "Sometimes I'll come straight from the previous race straight to Texas, and spend the week here... usually at a friend's ranch. I love to ride horses, shoot guns, and be outside."

He doesn't just feel the need for speed behind the wheel of his Toyota.

Vickers enjoys a variety of sports, including horseback riding, getting up on a dirtbike or four-wheeler and even playing a round of golf or too.

But it could be his love of yoga or endurance sports that help keep him in shape for driving a race car.

"The biggest way I've found to help me train is endurance sports," said Vickers, "I like to be outside. I think that helps, as well being outside in the heat, especially in the summer. I ride bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, kayaking, rock climb and I like to swim alot."

Although he is a long time from retirement, Vickers said he would "like to be remembered as a champion on and off the racetrack and just a good person in general."