Hamlin returns, hands off to Vickers

Sprint Cup driver Denny Hamlin started the Aaron's 499 on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway and safely turned his car over to Brian Vickers at the first caution.

Hamlin had been cleared this week to drive after missing four races with a compression fracture of a vertebra in his lower back.

Hamlin exited though a roof panel and Vickers slid into the seat of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota during the transfer. The caution on Lap 24 was caused by Trevor Bayne's blown engine.

"The exchange went great," Hamlin said. "That was about as smooth as it could have went for us. Everything went well."

Vickers later was caught up in a 16-car accident and had to take the car to the garage for repairs.