Vickers

Where do I begin? To say a lot has happened since the last time I wrote in would be an understatement. In the period of one month, our GMAC team won two Busch Series races after going the first six months of the season without a win and I've been given the opportunity of a lifetime by Hendrick Motorsports to drive in the Nextel Cup Series in 2004.

Early in August, after coming so close on several occasions this season, we finally made it to Victory Lane by winning the Busch Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP). For me, it was my first career Busch Series win, and for my team, it was long overdue.

Like every driver has done, I tried to imagine my first win -- how I would act and how it would feel -- but knowing what I do now, I can tell you that reality is much better than anything I ever dreamed up. It probably took at least three days for it all to sink in.

It wasn't "The Brickyard," but to win in Indianapolis was very special. Racing is such a big part of the city's history and whether it's IRP or Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I'm glad to be able to say I've won there. I grew up racing on short tracks just like IRP in Late Models and the Hooter's ProCup Series, so I've been involved in a few Saturday night short track battles before, but the one between Shane (Hmiel) and I probably tops my personal list.

A lot of people have come to me since IRP to say it was one of the best races they've ever seen. I always tell them that if they think it was good from where they were sitting, just imagine what it was like from my view!

There was a lot of give and take going on between Shane and myself out there. We rubbed quite a few times, but we both wanted it so badly. When you have two drivers battling like we did during the race, you're not going to go quietly. I've known Shane for a long time and we've raced against one another a lot. I threw the kitchen sink at Shane, trying to get around him late in the race because I knew Jason (Keller) and Scott (Wimmer) were on my bumper, waiting to capitalize on a mistake. As close as we were racing, the outcome could very easily have been different if Shane or I messed up.

A week prior to IRP, we were involved in an accident at Pikes Peak International Raceway and failed to finish the race. It was a terrible feeling. Then six days later, we win. Talk about the highs and lows.

	Vickers is currently second in Busch points.

The win at IRP quickly erased my memories from PPIR and put us right back into contention for this year's Busch Series championship. After all Ricky (Hendrick) and Rick (Hendrick) have done for me, there would be nothing greater than bringing Hendrick Motorsports its first championship in the Busch Series. Hendrick Motorsports teams have combined for eight NASCAR titles in the Winston Cup Series (five) and Craftsman Truck Series (three), but none in Busch Series competition.

I've been told winning the first race is the toughest and after that they all come a little easier. Wouldn't you know it, three weeks after winning at IRP we won again at Darlington Raceway, the toughest track on the schedule. You could have knocked me over with a feather following our win at "The Track Too Tough To Tame."

They say it takes a veteran to win at Darlington, and as a team I think we're veterans. To be able to win there -- with all of the history -- during the last Labor Day weekend race at the track was awesome. And to have my teammate Kyle (Busch) finish second made it even better.

Hendrick Motorsports really cleaned up on Labor Day weekend. Our teams finished 1-2 on Saturday in the Busch race, and then on Sunday, Terry Labonte won the Southern 500. I was so glad to see Terry win. He's one of the greatest drivers our sport has ever seen and it's only fitting that a true champion be the last driver to win the final Labor Day Southern 500. You couldn't have written a better script.

With everything that happened in the month of August, I never in my wildest dreams would have thought things could get any better for me professionally -- but they did.

Last week, I accepted an offer from Hendrick Motorsports and GMAC to move to the Nextel Cup Series in 2004 and drive the No. 25 Chevrolet.

The whole deal came together really, really fast. I'm very fortunate to have the support of the Hendrick organization, my family and my friends in making such a big decision. I have the opportunity of a lifetime with Hendrick Motorsports to go Cup racing, and to be the youngest person to ever do so is great, too.

As easy as it is to think about 2004, I'm devoted 110 percent to winning a Busch Series championship in 2003 -- just as soon as I use our off weekend to catch my breath.

Brian Vickers drives the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch Series. He is providing a monthly diary to ESPN.com throughout the 2003 NASCAR season. Vickers' personal Web site can be found at www.brianvickers.com or go to www.hendrickmotorsports.com for team information