Player Management International Media Release
Contact: Doug Barnette
Talladega, AL (October 3, 2007) – While the rest of the NASCAR Busch Series will enjoy a much needed weekend off, Mike Wallace will travel to Talladega, AL, to tackle the historic 2.66-mile superspeedway. He will not only take on the high banks on Saturday in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, but he will battle it once again on Sunday in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race.
On Saturday, Wallace, the driver of the #7 GEICO Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series, will pilot the #03 Southeast Toyota Dealers Toyota Tundra for Germain Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race; a race that Wallace nearly won a year ago while driving the GEICO Toyota Tundra. Unfortunately, Mike Skinner would hinder Wallace’s effort just a half a lap before the start/finish line on the final lap when he sent Wallace careening into the outside wall.
While the wreck ruined Wallace’s day at Talladega a year ago, it has not ruined his attitude as he returns to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend.
“We had a great truck last year when we were here with the Gecko on the hood and we should’ve won the race,” Wallace said. “I’m a racer and I’ve been waiting for a year to get back here and redeem myself and get the win I could’ve gotten a year ago. I’m excited at the opportunity to represent the Southeast Toyota Dealers and drive the #03 Toyota Tundra in one of the biggest races of the year. Mike Hillman and the entire Germain team have worked really hard to give us a great truck and I’m looking forward to working with the team and putting ourselves in position to head to Victory Lane.”
Once the business of the Truck Series race has concluded, Wallace will turn his attention to the #88 M&M’s Halloween Ford Fusion for Sunday’s UAW-Ford 500 Nextel Cup Series race. As Ricky Rudd continues to recover from a shoulder injury which has kept him sidelined for the last five weeks, Wallace will hop in the Robert Yates Racing entry in hopes of recording his first Nextel Cup victory. The #88 M&M’s Halloween Ford Fusion paint scheme will promote the M&M’s Million Dollar Halloween Instant Win Game and Sweepstakes.
A restrictor plate specialist, Wallace has recorded an ARCA win at Talladega, and he has also notched three wins at another restrictor plate track, the famed Daytona International Speedway. In February 2003, Wallace etched his name in the record books at Daytona when he recorded three Top 10 finishes in three days in three different series and driving for three different manufacturers: 6th in a Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, 4th in a Pontiac in the NASCAR Busch Series race and 9th in a Dodge in NASCAR Nextel Cup’s Daytona 500. He is now eager to hit the high banks of Talladega and get his first Nextel Cup win at the 2.66-mile tri-oval.
“I have always had a lot of success on restrictor plate tracks, so I always look forward to Talladega and the opportunity to win a race,” Wallace said. “I’m thankful to the entire Yates organization for giving me this opportunity to drive the #88 M&M’s Halloween Ford Fusion and I look forward to running well and being up front at the end.”
Being up front at the end is key, as Wallace proved in February when he recorded a 4th place finish in the Daytona 500.
Mike Wallace and the #03 Southeast Toyota Dealers Toyota Tundra will hit the track at Talladega Superspeedway for their first practice on Thursday, October 4th, at 1:10 PM (ET), with final practice at 3:20 PM (ET). Qualifying is set for Friday, October 5th, at 1:10 PM (ET).
On Saturday, October 6, 2007, the Mountain Dew 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race will be televised live on SPEED with coverage beginning at 3:30 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 4:00 PM (ET). Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
Mike Wallace and his #88 M&M’s Halloween Ford Fusion will debut their special paint scheme when practice starts at 12:00 PM (ET) on Friday, October 5th. Final practice is at 3:45 PM (ET), with qualifying schedule for Saturday afternoon at 12:15 PM (ET).
On Sunday, October 7, 2007, the UAW-Ford 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race will be televised live on ABC beginning at 1:00 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 2:00 PM (ET). Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
To learn more about Mike Wallace, please visit: www.mikewallace.com.