Player Management International Media Release
Concord, NC (August 29, 2007) – While Friday night in Bristol was frustrating for Mike Wallace and the entire GEICO Racing team, one thing remains the same and that is they still reside in the Top 10 in the point standings in the NASCAR Busch Series. In a series almost dominated by NEXTEL Cup drivers, Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team have been able to maintain their position in the Top 10 and with nine races to go, hope to continue their ascent.
There have been some bumps in the road for Wallace and the Gecko this season, as they led in Talladega before losing the motor and then a week later in Richmond they would lose another motor. Nashville would find them at the front of the field before another mechanical problem would sideline them and knock them out of contention for a race win. During the spring race in Bristol, the #7 GEICO Chevrolet was in the Top 5 in position to win the race before a NASCAR ruling would send them back to 17th, and subsequently result in Wallace being part and parcel to a crash that would, once again, end his run for a race win.
Regardless, Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team are not fazed and they keep working hard to improve the racing program.
“Of course we’re not satisfied with where we are right now, but this team keeps working hard and we’re going to continue to do what we can to win races and run up front,” Wallace said. “We have great sponsors in GEICO, Sport Clips and Smith Transport, and we have a great team, but we’ve run into some bad luck this year. If not for a couple motor issues and getting wrecked out in Bristol in the spring race, then we’re sitting in the Top 5 right now. But, that’s racing and we also know that things swing the other way, so we’re going to continue to work hard until we run into the good luck.”
He continued, “Let’s not forget that even with all of the issues that we’ve had, we’re still sitting in the Top 10 in points. I think that says something about this Phoenix Racing team and me as a driver. We’re here to compete each week and we’re focused on racing hard and getting desired results. Until that checkered flag waves at Homestead in November, we will be collectively getting after it and doing what needs to be done.”
Among other things, the addition of crew chief Gere Kennon has proved fruitful and the team improved almost instantly upon his arrival.
“Gere is a great crew chief and he’s worked out very well for us,” Wallace said. “Starting a second team is tough and I appreciate everything that James Finch (team owner) has done to try to help us improve, including, among other things, bringing in Gere. We have nine races left, so we’re going to make a run at it and make good things happen.”
This week, Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team head to California Speedway in Fontana, California, for the Camping World 300 on Saturday, September 1, 2007.
Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the 2-mile D-shaped oval at California Speedway for their first practice session on Friday, August 31st, at 11:30 AM (ET), with final practice at 1:20 PM (ET). Qualifying is set for Friday evening at 8:10 PM (ET).
On Saturday night, September 1st, the Camping World 300 NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised live on ESPN2 with coverage beginning at 9:30 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 10:00 PM (ET). Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.GEICOracing7.com.
To learn more about the Sport Clips Racing program, please visit: www.SportClips.com.