Seeing red

With University of Louisville basketball star Russ Smith in attendance Friday afternoon, Michael Waltrip Racing unveiled the No. 55 Toyota that Brian Vickers will drive Saturday night in honor of the Cardinals’ NCAA championship this season.

“We want to come here and win, on behalf of (primary sponsor) Aaron’s and Louisville, hopefully take some of the success they had this year and take that championship and turn it into a victory,” Vickers said. “For me it’s an honor to have them on the car, but we really have to thank Aaron’s for that.”

Aaron’s agreed to cede its normal place on the hood of the No. 55 Camry to Louisville.

Team owner Michael Waltrip is a Kentucky native, and last year he drove a car honoring the national championship won by the University of Kentucky, Louisville’s archrival.

“Michael drove last year for the enemy, for the wrong team—is that right?” Vickers said.

“It depends on who you ask,” Waltrip shot back.

“Not being from Kentucky, I don’t fully appreciate, I don’t think, the rivalry between these two teams,” Vickers added. “But what I am honored to have is the opportunity to drive the Louisville Cardinal car this Saturday night, and hopefully we can take their success and put it in Victory Lane.”