Player Management International Media Release
Fort Worth, TX (November 3, 2007) – When the Gecko and Mike Wallace arrived at Texas Motor Speedway they were sitting comfortably in the 10th position in the point standings, and they were hoping that a good run would create more distance between them and Matt Kenseth, who sits in 11th. After a 15th place finish in the April race in Texas, Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team were hoping to improve upon that in the O’Reilly Challenge on Saturday.
Practice would not go as planned, as the #7 GEICO Chevrolet would sit 31st in the first practice session. While they had hoped to improve their position in the final practice session, they ultimately fell two positions and finished up 33rd on the speed charts when practice concluded.
Qualifying would not go any better, as Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet would tour the 1.5-mile facility in 21.149 seconds, at a rate of speed of 185.255 MPH. Unfortunately, he would find himself back in Row 17 in the 33rd position, just next to his nephew Steve Wallace. However, due to an engine change, Wallace would be forced to the start at the rear of the field when the race went green on Saturday afternoon.
While starting at the back of the field would be a deterrent for most, Wallace would embrace the situation and charge to the front of the field not long after the green flag was displayed in front of a packed house in Fort Worth, Texas. Starting from the 43rd position, Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet would methodically move to the front of the field and settle comfortably in the Top 25 before taking the lead and finding themselves at the front of the field.
When the checkered flag was displayed 300 miles after the race started, Wallace and the Gecko would record a 21st place finish. More importantly, Wallace would maintain his position inside the Top 10 in the point standings, and he now holds a 52-point lead over Matt Kenseth, who sits in the 11th position. Wallace and the Gecko are closely eyeing Marcos Ambrose in the 9th position, as they sit just 37-points removed.
If Wallace is feeling any pressure it does not show.
“We would’ve liked to have run better in Texas, but we were at least able to maintain our position in the Top 10,” Wallace said. “Some would say that we’re under pressure to stay in the Top 10, but pressure is something I put on myself every day that I show up at the racetrack. It’s just a part of what we do and I welcome it. We’re all working hard to get a win for GEICO before the year’s out and we look forward getting to Phoenix this week and doing what we do.”
This week, Mike Wallace and the Phoenix Racing team head west to Phoenix, Arizona, for the Arizona Travel 200 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday, November 10, 2007.
Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at Phoenix International Raceway for their first practice session on Friday, November 9th, at 12:00 PM (ET), with final practice at 3:35 PM (ET). Qualifying is set for Saturday at 12:05 PM (ET).
On Saturday, November 10th, the Arizona Travel 200 NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised live on ESPN2 with coverage beginning at 4:00 PM (ET) and green flag action coming at 4:30 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.