Brian Vickers Mailbag: Steak and sizzle
NASCAR.COM
March 15, 2006
01:08 PM EST (18:08 GMT)


Brian Vickers heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the Golden Corral 500. He's finished in the top 15 in each of the past three Cup events at AMS. Last week at Las Vegas, Vickers started 10th, led a lap and finished 22nd.

Q: Your teammate, Jeff Gordon, hosted Saturday Night Live recently. If Lorne Michaels ever came up to you and offered you a chance to host Saturday Night Live, would you take him up on the offer? -- dalejrbudgrl, Parts Unknown

Vickers: I'd accept the offer because it's improv. The show is funny and it's one of the coolest shows out there. Not that I think it would be easy, but given the format of the show, I feel I'm more comfortable working off the 'cuff than I am with a 20-minute prepared speech.

Q: Do you have a favorite track to race at during the season, either for the racing or for the attractions, and do you ever get a chance to check out some of the things to do near some of the venues? -- Elise, Penn.

Vickers: Darlington Raceway is one of my favorite tracks. It has a lot of history in our sport, has produced some great finishes and is very challenging. I also really like Bristol, Texas and Atlanta. A lot of the different tracks on the circuit that have some unique character and challenges.

Some tracks have better things to do around them than others. We don't get as much time to hang out and check out the sights on race weekends as you might think.

Q: In reference to the Brian Vickers Tenderloin at the Red Rocks Cafe in Charlotte, how does it feel having a slab of beef named for you? Have you tried the steak -- and if so -- has your namesake made you proud? -- Stacy, N.C.

Vickers: How many people can say they have a piece of beef named after them? Red Rocks is a great place to catch a bite to eat. Honestly, I was unaware they actually named it after me. There was some talk of it, but apparently it's happened.

It's pretty cool to have a meal named after you on a menu. By the way, it is a good cut of beef.

Q: Do you bring pets on the road with you? It seems like every NASCAR driver has a cat or a dog or both with them when they go to the track. If so, what is their name(s)? -- Becca, N.D.

Vickers: I have a cat named Caesar that travels in the motor home to most of the races. Caesar has a personality of his own and is low maintenance. At the end of the day, when I come back to the bus he doesn't care how good or how bad the day was for me. It can be refreshing.

Q: What advice would you give someone hoping to have a career in NASCAR? -- Adam, Syracuse, N.Y.

Vickers: There's no easy road, but it can be done with some hard work. You're going to have to give up some things along the way to make it happen, but you've got to remain committed if it's what you really want. Try establishing some contacts in the sport and don't ever give up.