Brian Vickers has a word with NASCAR.COM's Dave Rodman. Credit: Autostock

Brian Vickers Mailbag: The star treatment

Brian Vickers heads to Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday's Aaron's 499 with a bit of momentum. He finished 13th last week at Phoenix and finished eighth in his last Talladega start in October.

Q: Was there anything in your 2003 NBS season that you did to turn your season around and win the championship? If so, could that help you now? -- RT43435, Parts Unknown

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

Vickers: We were all trying just as hard until things started clicking because everyone was giving 100 percent. It took time for everyone to get used to working together and getting the experience needed. I don't think there was any "magic pill" that helped us to get rolling. It would be great if it were as easy as it sounds.

Q: Your motorcoaches are home away from home each weekend so they get lived in a lot. Who cleans them? Do you clean your own? -- Jill, Okla.

Vickers: No, I don't clean it. I try to keep it picked up for the most part, like I would my house. Most of the drivers that have a motorhome have someone that looks after the buses and sees they're kept in order, clean and get to and from each race. I have the good fortune to have Craig "Cotton" Crouse to look after my bus during the season.

Q: What sets you apart from the other Hendrick drivers? -- Several users

Vickers: Good question. I think each of us is different in a lot of ways from our driving style, to our personalities and how we approach preparing for a race. I don't think there's any set formula. Probably the easiest way to explain is that we're all different.

Q: What kind of toys have you purchased with some of your winnings? -- Mike, Ill.

Vickers: I can't say there have been one or two big-ticket items. I've purchased a few small items like: golf clubs, Xbox 360 and bicycles. Just regular guy toys that are fun.

Q: Do you think you would like to be more involved with the media side of NASCAR as the years go on? -- Katie, Orlando, Fla.

I don't think so. I enjoy the opportunity I've been given with Inside Nextel Cup on SPEED and I have fun doing it. When I look further down the road in my career after I retire, being a media personality doesn't come up. I envision myself just laying low and hanging out. I'll probably have some sort involvement in racing because I love it, but not on the media side of things.