NASCAR helps those in need (Update)

UPDATE Brian Vickers' victory last week could provide a boost to his long-term future at Michael Waltrip Racing. "It definitely helped," Vickers said. "How could it not?" Vickers, who won last Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race for MWR at New Hampshire, is in discussions with the team about a full-time ride next season. He has been driving part-time for Waltrip's team for the past two seasons, and has a full-time ride with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series. Vickers says he's optimistic about a deal coming together because he, Waltrip and sponsor Aaron's all want it to happen — but he knows it would be unwise to assume anything until a contract is in place. Vickers says the team is exploring the possibility of adding other sponsors to help split the bill with Aaron's. Associated Press

07/16/13 A reader writes, Dear AR1.com, The rumor is that everything happens in NASCAR for a reason, at least they do at very opportune times. So when Vickers won Sunday I was happy. Then I got to thinking, why did he win? And then I discovered the answer.

Michael Waltrip Racing is waiting on word from sponsor Aaron’s on whether it will return next season and whether it wants Vickers as its driver. It didn’t hurt that Vickers won the Camping World RV Sales 301 on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Aaron’s primarily sponsors the 26 races that Mark Martin is running this year as well as select events for Vickers (who has nine races overall) and Michael Waltrip (three).

Martin has said he would vacate the No. 55 seat after this season so the team can run for the driver’s championship, leaving the car and sponsorship in limbo.

Vickers has been used by Aaron’s for company-wide events but so far there has been no announcement on whether the company — which also is sponsoring Hendrick Motorsports development driver Chase Elliott — will return.

Aaron’s has gone through a change of senior leadership over the last year, and the team has spent considerable time educating them on the benefits of the sport.

“They’re believers in Michael Waltrip Racing and they’re believers in Brian," MWR Executive Vice President and General Manager Ty Norris said. “Michael has made no bones about it. In the last 30 to 45 days, he talks about Brian a lot as being that candidate that we want to go ahead and try to get moving forward with.

“All I can tell you is wins help a lot of business issues, and so this was a great day for that."

Now they just to put them on pole a time or two to cement the deal. Oscar Hermann