Player Management International Media Release
Montreal, Quebec (August 2, 2008) – In 1989, the hit R&B/Pop group New Edition posed the question ‘Can You Stand the Rain?’ On Saturday, NASCAR’s number two series was forced to answer that question. Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry arrived in Montreal under sunny skies, but race day would present an entirely different scenario.
When practice got underway at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for the #2 series’ second road course race of the season, Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry made their presence felt. Wallace would put the Gecko 9th on the speed charts at the close of the first practice. The final practice would not go as well, as the #7 GEICO Camry sat 21st when the session concluded.
Qualifying would prove to be showtime for Wallace, as he wheeled the #7 GEICO Camry around the 2.71-mile road course fast enough to put him on the Provisional Pole, knocking Carl Edwards out of the position. When the field was set, Wallace would find himself starting 11th as the skies began to darken close to race time.
The NAPA 200 presented by Dodge would get underway under dry conditions, however it would not be long before NASCAR was waving the caution flag due to heavy rain on the race track. For the first time in NASCAR history, a points race would be contended under wet conditions. All teams were permitted three minutes to change to rain tires and add a windshield wiper to the car.
On Lap 17, Wallace would be assessed a penalty for allegedly cutting through a chicane, which would send the #7 GEICO Camry down pit road for a pass-through penalty. After running solidly in the Top 15, Wallace would re-enter the racing surface in the 31st position. He would reappear in the Top 15 by Lap 40, and Lap 43 would find him 10th.
The race circuit would get progressively worse, even to the point where cars were crashing under caution. Lap 48 was the point when NASCAR decided they had seen enough. With 48 of 74 laps completed, they would call the race and the #7 GEICO Camry would record a 15th place finish North of the border.
Wallace was happy to escape Montreal with an intact race car.
“It was certainly interesting and I thought everyone did a good job of being patient and not getting too anxious,” Wallace said. “I think it was getting to a point where some of the drivers were getting antsy and it was about to get real interesting, so NASCAR made a good decision and called it off.”
Wallace continued, “This whole GEICO team did a good job today and we were obviously very competitive, both in qualifying and in the race. We’re 8th in the points and we’re looking forward to getting to Watkins Glen next week and shining once again on another road course. I have a lot to learn about these road courses, but I’m definitely having fun.”
This week, the Germain Racing team heads to Watkins Glen, NY, for their third and final road course race of the season.
Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry will hit the track at Watkins Glen International for their opening practice session on Friday, August 8th, at 1:30 PM (ET), with the final practice session being held at 5:30 PM (ET). Qualifying will be held on Saturday morning at 10:10 AM (ET).
The Zippo 200 is on Saturday, August 9th, and it will be televised live on ABC beginning at 2:30 PM (ET), while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
Visit GEICO Racing’s innovative, interactive web site at: www.geicogarage.com.
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.