Player Management International Media Release
Contact: Doug Barnette
Dover, DE (September 20, 2007) – When Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet return to Dover International Speedway this weekend, they will have the Gecko close to home. GEICO’s corporate headquarters is located in Washington, DC, just 90-miles from the Monster Mile.
If there was a sentimental favorite, it would have to be Mike Wallace, as Dover International Speedway is also the site of his first career NASCAR Busch Series win.
Traditionally referred to as a restrictor-plate specialist, Mike Wallace has a special place in his heart for short tracks. Wallace is the middle brother in the Wallace racing family that includes older brother, Rusty, and younger brother, Kenny. The Wallace family cut their teeth on short tracks in the Midwest and they have obviously parlayed their experiences into successful NASCAR careers.
Wallace enjoys racing at Dover and always looks forward to returning to the historic 1-mile speedway.
“Dover is a special place for me because I’ve always enjoyed racing there,” Wallace said. “GEICO’s corporate office is only a couple of hours away, so we always use this race to connect with the associates at GEICO and we enjoy having them out at the track over the course of the race weekend. It’s almost like a home game of sorts and we take great pride in going there and running well.”
He continued, “During the spring race we were running up front and looking forward to a Top 5 or Top 10 finish, but then we had our day shortened by a car that was a lap down. We’re excited about bringing the #7 GEICO Chevrolet back to the Monster Mile and redeeming ourselves. We want to continue to get GEICO, Sport Clips and Smith Transport as much media exposure as possible.”
Wallace’s last win was nothing less than spectacular, when he passed Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on the final lap in Daytona on July 2, 2004, to win the Winn-Dixie 250. The win in Daytona was Wallace’s third at the famed 2.5-mile super speedway, but he took great pride in handing both GEICO and Sport Clips their first NASCAR Busch Series victories.
As Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team return to Dover with the #7 GEICO Chevrolet, they look forward to not only running well, but hopefully duplicating that exciting night in July 2004 when the Gecko made his first trip to Victory Lane.
Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at Dover International Speedway for their first practice on Friday, September 21st, at 9:00 AM (ET). Final practice is at 1:50 PM (ET), followed by qualifying on Saturday at 12:05 PM (ET).
On Saturday, September 22nd, the RoadLoans.com 200 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.
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.