Mike Wallace Up to 8th in Point Standings After Atlanta; Ready to Beat and Bang in Bristol

Player Management International Media Release 

Atlanta, GA (March 17, 2007) – Las Vegas catapulted Mike Wallace into the Top 10 in points, landing him in the 9th position after he turned in a 13th place finish in the NASCAR Busch Series’ Sam’s Town 300 last week.  Apparently, Wallace is comfortable there because he and the Phoenix Racing team refuse to leave. 

While the first practice session this week in Atlanta was rained out and the second session would see Wallace finish up 40th in practice, the Phoenix Racing team kept working hard to get the car right.  Unfortunately, the car would not get much better in qualifying, as Wallace wheeled the #7 GEICO Chevrolet around the Atlanta fast-track in 30.581 seconds, good for the 40th starting spot in the Nicorette 300 NASCAR Busch Series race. 

Wallace’s veteran experience would help him maneuver Atlanta Motor Speedway and methodically move forward from his 40th starting position.  A combination of patience on the race track by Wallace and speed by the Phoenix Racing team during pit stops would help move the #7 GEICO Chevrolet to the front of the field.  Wallace would run as high as 3rd, while also leading a lap for the 4th time in 5 races, resulting in 20 bonus points this season. 

When the checkered flag waved at the 1.54-mile quad-oval, Wallace would finish on the Lead Lap in the 17th position, a substantial improvement over his 40th place starting spot.  In 2007, Wallace has been nothing less than consistent, as his finish in Atlanta would move him up to 8th position in driver points.  He sits just 35 points removed from the Top 5, after being 54 points removed just a week ago. 

“I thought we had a good weekend considering we got off to a tough start in practice and qualifying,” Wallace said.  “We worked really hard today to make sure we ran well and finished the race and we were able to pick up 23 spots and finish 17th.  I appreciate all the hard work this Phoenix Racing team has put into this car, but we need to get better and we will.  We have a great team and we never quit as you saw today, so we will continue to get better and run up front.”  He continued, “I’m really happy for our sponsors GEICO, Sport Clips and Smith Transport because it’s been a fun year so far and we’ve been able to lead some laps and get great media exposure for these guys.” 

This week, Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team head to the World’s Fastest Half-Mile in Bristol, TN, for the Sharpie MINI 300 on Saturday, March 24th.  The 0.533-mile concrete oval is always tough to tame, but Wallace has traditionally experienced great success there and looks forward to returning.        

“Bristol is always a fun track to go to because it is a race that we can win and it gives us a chance to run well and pick up some points over these other guys,” Wallace said.  “It is a very exciting race because you have a half-mile track and 43 cars; I’ll let you do the math.  It equals a lot of beating and banging and we are looking forward to it.” 

Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at Bristol Motor Speedway for their first practice session on Friday, March 23rd, at 1:00 PM (ET), with final practice at 2:20 PM (ET).  Qualifying is set for Saturday at 11:10 AM (ET). 

On Saturday, the Sharpie MINI 300 NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised live on ABC with coverage beginning at 2:30 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 3:00 PM (ET).  Performance Racing Network (PRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.    

To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.GEICOracing7.com.