Player Management International Media Release
Montreal, Quebec (August 4, 2007) – When Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team rolled into Circuit Gilles Villenueve in Montreal, they had plans of picking up spots in the points chase and turning in a good finish. It was NASCAR’s first venture north of the border and it proved to be successful as over 100,000 fans filled the stands each day to watch NASCAR’s best and brightest turn laps on the challenging 2.71-mile road course.
Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team took their time on Thursday during the NASCAR open practice sessions trying to figure out the course. When the red flag ended the final open practice session, Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet would sit 27th on the practice charts. Their due diligence paid off when Wallace posted the 14th fastest practice time during final practice on Friday afternoon.
The NASCAR Busch Series would utilize a road racing qualifying format when the cars hit the track on Saturday afternoon to qualify for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge. Wallace would go out in the 6th group of cars and would ultimately qualify 28th for the 74 lap/200-mile race.
When the green flag waved in front of a sold out crowd of 150,000 passionate fans, Wallace made calculated moves to the front of the field, while also monitoring his brakes and taking care of his equipment. At a challenging road course such as Circuit Gilles Villenueve, brakes play a critical role in the strategy of the race and Wallace would do a good job of conserving, while still advancing.
Wallace would run as high as 8th before a fuel problem that occurred just past the midway point of the race would send the #7 GEICO Chevrolet behind the wall and into the garage. The Phoenix Racing team worked diligently to repair the problem and they returned Wallace to the race just five laps down. Wallace would end up recording a 27th place finish when the checkered flag waved over the 2.71-mile road course.
“It was a tough day and that’s about all I can say,” Wallace said. “We raced really hard and even got into the Top 10, but the fuel problem ruined our day. Our only saving grace was that the Phoenix Racing guys worked hard to get it fixed and we were able to return to the race only five laps down, which allowed us to gain some points and helped us stay in the Top 10.”
Despite the setback suffered by Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet in Montreal, Wallace remains in the Top 10 in the point standings, dropping just one spot from 9th to 10th. He sits just 12 points behind Dave Blaney who is in 9th and 66 points ahead of Greg Biffle who resides in the 11th position.
This week, Mike Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team head to Watkins Glen, NY, for the Zippo 200 at The Glen on Saturday, August 11, 2007.
Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at Watkins Glen International for their first practice on Friday, August 10th, at 1:30 PM (ET). Final practice is at 5:30 PM (ET), followed by qualifying on Saturday at 11:35 AM (ET).
On Saturday, the Zippo 200 at The Glen NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised live on ESPN2 with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 3:30 PM (ET). Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
For more information about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.GEICOracing7.com.
For more information about Sport Clips Racing program, please visit: www.SportClips.com.