Mike Wallace Runs Up Front in Talladega; Turns Attention to the Gecko

Player Management International Media Release
Contact: Doug Barnette

Concord, NC (October 9, 2007) – The NASCAR Busch Series enjoyed a weekend off, however Mike Wallace cannot sit still, especially when a restrictor plate race track comes calling.  While the rest of the Busch Series relaxed at home this past weekend, Wallace traveled to Talladega, Alabama, to participate in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Saturday and the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race on Sunday. 

Unfortunately, the theme of the weekend for Wallace would be that he ran as well as any race car driver could run without actually winning a race. 

Qualifying would go well in both series’, as Wallace would start 4th in the #03 Southeast Toyota Dealers Toyota Tundra for Saturday’s Mountain Dew 250 Truck Series race, and start 16th in the Robert Yates Racing #88 M&M’s Halloween Ford Fusion for the UAW-Ford 500 Nextel Cup Series race on Sunday. 

On Saturday, Wallace would run up front, however he would experience issues that would send him to the back of the field for multiple re-starts.  If there were an award for the most trucks passed in a two-hour period, Wallace would easily take the prize, as he would charge to the front time and time again.  Unfortunately, with seven laps remaining, Wallace would find himself sideways and would be relegated to a 17th place finish after spending his afternoon up front and contending for a win. 

When the green flag waved on Sunday at the legendary 2.66-mile tri-oval, Wallace would immediately drop to the back of the field with a host of other Fords as part of a strategy to avoid the ‘big one’ and be there at the end.  That strategy would play well, as Wallace would find himself sitting in 6th position as the laps began to wind down.  In position to pick up yet another restrictor plate victory, or at worst get a Top 5, Clint Bowyer would get into the back of Wallace and send him lightly into the wall with just a few laps remaining.  Despite being ‘bounced’ out of the draft and into the wall, Wallace would manage to collect himself and the #88 M&M’s Halloween Ford Fusion and hustle back to a 19th place finish.

“I had a lot of fun this weekend and I just wish we could’ve picked up a win for both of these teams,” Wallace said.  “I appreciate everything that both Germain Racing and Robert Yates Racing did to give me a chance to win these races, but most important, I am thankful to these guys for giving me the opportunity.  Hopefully, Ricky (Rudd) will be back in the #88 car soon and I’m just glad I could help out and give this team a good run.”  He continued, “This week we will turn our attention back to the #7 GEICO Chevrolet in the Busch Series and work hard to put ourselves in Victory Lane in Charlotte on Friday night.” 

This week, Mike Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team head just up the road to Charlotte, NC, for the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, October 12, 2007.    

Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for their first practice session on Thursday, October 11th, at 1:00 PM (ET).  Final practice is at 6:00 PM (ET), followed by qualifying on Friday afternoon at 4:05 PM (ET). 

On Friday, the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised live on ESPN2 with coverage beginning at 7:30 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 8:00 PM (ET).  Performance Racing Network (PRN) 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.