Player Management International Media Release
Talladega, AL (April 28, 2007) – A restrictor-plate specialist, Mike Wallace always looks forward to returning to the high banks of Talladega. With a new racing surface, the historic superspeedway would prove to be smooth and fast which would allow Wallace and the Gecko to post the fastest practice time during Thursday’s NASCAR Busch Series practice session, sitting above Tony Stewart, J.J. Yeley and John Wood on the speed chart.
Wallace would start the Aaron’s 312 from the 30th position, but rather than hang around in the back with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart and others as he did in February in Daytona, Wallace would change his philosophy. When spotter Randy Howe radioed Wallace to ask him his plan, Wallace radioed back, “I’m going straight to the front today.”
Wallace did exactly that, as the #7 GEICO Chevrolet would ultimately find itself leading the field at the famed 2.66-mile tri-oval. Because of aerodynamics, Talladega is a tough place to lead for any extended period of time, but he led for five laps and even started to pull away from the field before another line of cars overtook him.
The #7 GEICO Chevrolet was looking sporty all afternoon even in the midst of a penalty due to a tire escaping Wallace’s pit box and finding its way across pit road and into the grass during a pit stop on Lap 57. As a penalty, Wallace would have to come down pit road and then start at the end of the longest line. This penalty would have no affect on Wallace as he drove the GEICO Chevrolet from the 26th spot to 11th in two laps and on his third time around he would be sitting in 7th. Unfortunately, with 46 laps remaining, the car would experience a motor problem and end Wallace’s bid for a win and he would be recorded in the 33rd position when the checkered flag waved.
Even with a bad day in Talladega, Mike Wallace and the Gecko still sit in the Top 10 in points in 10th position.
Talladega took its toll on many teams Saturday, as Wallace would find himself surrounded in the garage by NASCAR notables such as Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Martin Truex, Jr., David Reutimann, Reed Sorenson, David Gilliand and Jon Wood.
Wallace was frustrated after the race and was not happy about leaving Talladega with anything less than a win.
“I’m very frustrated because we had a great car here today and we were strong when we were leading the race,” Wallace said. “We worked hard to put ourselves in position to have an opportunity to win this race and we should be in Victory Lane, but instead we are out because of a motor issue. It’s just very frustrating because we’re running up front every week and there has not been one race where we have ran bad. That is the thing about this sport, you have to be tough and persistent and this team is both so we will keep coming out here and running up front every week. That’s all we can do.”
This week, Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team head to the .75-mile D-shaped oval in Richmond, VA, for the Circuit City 250 presented by Funai on Friday, May 4th.
“I always look forward to going to Richmond because I enjoy short-track racing and it is someplace where I have traditionally experienced great success,” Wallace said. “Richmond is only about 90 miles or so from the GEICO corporate office, so we look forward to being up front again this week as we have all season and putting on a show for the GEICO people as well as the Sport Clips guests who will be at the race.”
Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at Richmond International Raceway for their first practice on Friday, May 4th, at 8:30 AM (ET), with final practice at 10:10 AM (ET). Qualifying is set for Friday afternoon at 4:05 PM (ET).
On Friday night, May 4th, the Circuit City 250 presented by Funai 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). Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.GEICOracing7.com.