Mike Wallace Calls in the Troops in Richmond; Ready for a Week Off

Player Management International Media Release

Richmond, VA (September 7, 2007) – On Friday night in Richmond, VA, Wallace went as far as to call in the troops to help the Gecko run up front.  Wallace was joined under the lights by Army Master Sergeant John Hall, who is a Green Beret in the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC.  Master Sergeant Hall recently returned from a fourth tour in Afghanistan and has four Bronze Star Medals. 

While practice would not be kind to Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet, as they would finish 27th and 24th in the respective sessions, Wallace said the car felt good and that it would race well.  Qualifying would not be any nicer to Wallace, as he would find himself starting from the 38th position, just behind teammate J.J. Yeley in the #1 Miccosukee Chevrolet. 

When the race got underway under the lights at Richmond International Raceway, Wallace would make progress, as he predicted following practice.  He would move to the front of the field and even find himself as the race leader, where he would lead three laps before front end damage from a collision with the #18 Car would take its toll on the #7 GEICO Chevrolet.  He would continue to battle hard and ultimately record a 31st place finish at the .75-mile D-shaped oval.

While Richmond proved to be tough on Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet, they still sit 10th in the point standings.  With just 7 races remaining in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season, Wallace and the Gecko hold a 106 point lead over Matt Kenseth who rests in the 11th position.   

 “It’s obviously very frustrating because the #7 GEICO Chevrolet was running really well until we got caught up with the 18 car,” Wallace said.  “Luckily, it just hurt us enough to keep us from running up front and it didn’t knock us out of the race, so we were able to finish the race and maintain our position in the point standings.” 

This week, Mike Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team will enjoy a weekend off before they pack up the #7 GEICO Chevrolet and head to Dover, DE, for the September 22nd race at Dover International Speedway.   

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.