By Jordan Dodson

After a comeback year for Brian Vickers in 2012, he finds himself lined up for a full-time ride in 2013. Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Brain Vickers has signed a one year deal to drive in the Nationwide series with full-time sponsorship of Dollar General.

Brian Vickers found himself without a ride at the beginning of 2012 but was given an opportunity to drive part time in the No. 55 for Michael Waltrip Racing in the Sprint Cup series. He has gathered five top-tens in eight races this past season and caught a lot of people’s attention including Joe Gibb Racing’s.

In addition to the new deal at Joe Gibbs Racing, Brian Vickers will continue to drive for Michael Waltrip Racing on a limited basis in 2013 in the Sprint Cup series.

Vickers will be part of a three car Nationwide team at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2013. Speculation is Elliot Sadler will drive a second full-time car and a third car will be run with multiple drivers from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable.

Not only did Dollar General up its sponsorship in the Nationwide series, but also did so in the Sprint Cup series. Dollar General will sponsor Matt Kenseth in the No. 20 car for 17 races in 2013 while Home Depot will cut back on sponsorship in 2013.

Dollar General is increasing it’s sponsorship at a time when sponsorship is hard to come by in all of NASCAR’s top-tier series’. Hopefully Dollar General’s new deal is just the start of more sponsorship opportunities across the board in NASCAR.

Joe Gibbs Racing is still looking for sponsorship to field a fourth car in the Sprint Cup series, but will focus on their Nationwide program in the mean time. Brian Vickers’ new deal could lead to a full-time Cup ride at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2014, as the two organizations look to expand. Vickers may also get a full-time Sprint Cup series offer from Michael Waltrip Racing in 2014 when Mark Martin retires at the end of this season.