MWR tabs Brian Vickers for six races

Brian Vickers, sidelined since the departure of Red Bull Racing from NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series following the completion of the 2011 season, will compete in six races for Michael Waltrip Racing, according to a team news release.

Vickers, 28, will compete in the organization’s No. 55 Toyota, which is currently shared by Mark Martin and co-owner/driver Michael Waltrip.

“I am thrilled to get back behind the wheel of not just a race car, but a very fast race car," Vickers, who finished 25th in points for Red Bull last season, said. “I’m lucky to find a ride of this qualify so early in the season. That Toyota won the pole last weekend in Phoenix and you saw it up front throughout the race."

Martin, who is in the car for this weekend’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, qualified on the pole for last week’s Subway Fresh Fit 500, and finished ninth, his second top-10 in two starts this season. He finished 10th in the season-opening Daytona 500.

Vickers will be in the car for next weekend’s Cup stop at Bristol. He is scheduled to compete in both Bristol Cup races, as well as each race at New Hampshire and Martinsville.

“I know how good [crew chief] Rodney Childers and the team are," he said. “I’ve known Rodney since I was 8 years old. This car is tied for sixth in pints right now. This is going to be fun. I appreciate the opportunity Michael and the entire MWR organization are giving me."