Vickers to replace Tony Stewart at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A person familiar with the change tells The Associated Press that Brian Vickers will replace injured driver Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway.

   Stewart-Haas Racing has scheduled a Friday news conference to discuss its plans for the No. 14 Chevrolet. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team is awaiting word from NASCAR if Vickers is medically cleared to race.

   Vickers ran only two races last season before having a recurrence of blood clots. He can't compete when being treated for the clots because the blood thinners increase his risk of serious internal bleeding if he crashed.

   Stewart is sidelined for the start of his final NASCAR season with a fractured vertebra. He was hurt riding an all-terrain vehicle.

Associated Press