Ricky Hendrick hires Vickers for Busch team.

Driver turned team owner Ricky Hendrick has announced his first driver hiring since taking over the reigns of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports GMAC Busch Series team and it is teenager Brian Vickers who gets the nod.

At just 22 years of age Ricky Hendrick will be the youngest team owner in the Busch Series garage next year by a considerable margin and the son of Winston Cup team owner Rick Hendrick ensured that he wouldn't be the youngest member of the #5 GMAC Financial Services team by hiring a driver three years his junior, 19 year old Brian Vickers.

Vickers, who turned many heads this year driving his family-owned #40 Dodge, will drive the #5 Chevrolet for the full NASCAR Busch season next year after Hendrick chose to retire from the driving cockpit in October. The son of the multiple Winston Cup title winning team owner suffered a shoulder injury in March and took the brave decision to step out of the seat that was set to carry him into the Winston Cup within the next three years.

"We're excited to have a talented young driver like Brian," said Hendrick, who assumed the role of team owner immediately following the 2002 season. "I've always been impressed with his attitude, personality and ability on the race track.

"Brian has the potential to be a great race car driver. He's bringing the kind of energy and desire it takes to be successful in this sport and I have no doubt that he'll be a winning addition to Hendrick Motorsports and Team GMAC."

The 19-year-old Vickers made his Busch Series debut at The Milwaukee Mile in 2001 and ran the majority of the rounds this year for his family-owned BLV Motorsports team, starting 21 of 34 events.

As a rookie in 2002, the North Carolina born driver earned one top 10 and six top-15 finishes in the No. 40 entry while qualifying in the top 10 on three occasions, including an outside pole position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. However without a sponsor signed for 2003 the team had started to lay off its staff and now looks unlikely to continue into next year.

"This is an awesome opportunity for me," Vickers said. "I just graduated from high school in May and now I'm continuing my education with Hendrick Motorsports -- it's unbelievable.

"This is a top-notch team with the best possible equipment and a great sponsor in GMAC. I can't imagine a better way to develop, both personally and professionally. Joining Hendrick Motorsports is truly an investment in my future."

Vickers, who graduated with honors from Trinity (N.C.) High School in May, began his racing career in 1993, earning 83 World Karting Association victories before competing in the Allison Legacy Race Series, NASCAR Weekly Racing Series and USAR Hooters ProCup Series, where he finished second in championship points in 2001 with two wins and three pole positions.