Gecko 12th in the Lone Star State; Valley of the Sun Up Next

Player Management International Media Release


Fort Worth, TX (November 1, 2008) – With just three races remaining in the 2008 NASCAR season, Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team arrived at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend looking to record a solid finish.  
 
The first practice session found Wallace 12th on the speed charts, however the final session was not as accommodating.  The #7 GEICO Camry sat 26th when the red flag ended the practice.  Qualifying would be of little consolation and Wallace would start the O’Reilly Challenge from the 33rd position.
 
Wallace must not have liked the view from the rear of the field because when the green flag was displayed he wasted little time moving forward. By the close of the first lap, Wallace had improved five positions and sat 28th.  He reached the Top 25 by lap 27, and lap 38 found him wheeling around the track as fast as the race’s leader.  
 
After reaching the Top 20 on lap 47, the event’s first caution flag was displayed just one lap later on lap 48.  Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry hit pit road to take on four new tires and a tank of Sunoco racing fuel.  The GEICO pit crew would turn out a fast stop and when the race restarted on lap 53 Wallace and the GEICO Camry were riding in the 16th position.  
 
By lap 107, Wallace and the Gecko broke into the Top 15 before experiencing another caution flag on lap 112.  The #7 GEICO Camry would once again visit pit road and the GEICO Racing pit crew would do their job quickly and send Wallace back onto the racing surface in good time.  When the race once again went green on lap 120, Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry were in the 10th position.  As the race began to wind down, Wallace was still sitting in the 10th position with 15 laps remaining.   
 
When the checkered flag was displayed, Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry recorded a 12th place finish.  The Top 15 finish would help Wallace further solidify his 8th position in the point standings with just two races remaining on the schedule.
 
“It was a good day and the #7 GEICO Camry was fast and allowed us to run up front for most of the afternoon,” Wallace said.  “The pit crew did a good job and helped put me in position to stay up front when we pitted.”  He continued, “Phoenix is a race track where I have had success, so I am looking forward to getting there next week and doing the best we can to win a race for GEICO, Sport Clips and Smith Transport.”
 
This week, the Germain Racing team heads west to Phoenix, Arizona.
 
Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry will hit the track at Phoenix International Raceway for their opening practice session on Friday, November 7th, at 11:30 AM (ET), with the final practice session being held at 3:35 PM (ET).  Qualifying will be held on Saturday afternoon at 12:05 PM (ET).
 
The Hefty Odor Block 200 is on Saturday, November 8th, and it will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 4:00 PM (ET), while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.  
 
Visit the innovative, interactive GEICO Racing 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.