Player Management International Media Release
Daytona Beach, FL (February 16, 2008) – When the GEICO Racing team arrived in Daytona to kick off the 2008 NASCAR season, they were hopeful that they would be able to put the #7 GEICO Camry back in Victory Lane, where it last visited on July 2, 2004. While the #7 GEICO car looked similar to last year’s car, it was sporting a new manufacturer in Toyota, and a new race team in Germain Racing.
More interesting in Daytona was a Lauren Wallace sighting in both of the NASCAR garages on race day. The aggressive young driver who is the third cousin, once removed, of Mike Wallace has been featured over the last year in the GEICO Racing commercials and seems to have developed an Elvis-like following that kept him signing autographs and taking photos for hours.
Lauren Wallace was on hand in Daytona to promote the launch of geicogarage.com, which is a web site that is one of the most innovative, interactive sites in all of auto racing. Officially launched on Saturday morning prior to the race, geicogarage.com takes race fans inside the world of GEICO Racing and provides an in-depth, interactive look at the world of the #7 GEICO Racing team.
On the race track, Wallace and the GEICO Racing team would look sporty in the opening practice session when they sat 16th on the practice charts when the session concluded. Committed to finding speed, the Germain Racing team worked feverishly between practice sessions to improve the car. Their work proved fruitful, as Wallace would find himself sitting in the 6th position when the red flag ended the final practice.
Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry would start the Camping World 300 from the 22nd position, and felt confident that they would move forward when the race got underway in front of a packed house and perfect weather in Daytona. When the green flag waved at the famed 2.5-mile tri-oval, restrictor plate specialist Wallace and the Gecko would pick up five spots on the opening lap.
Wallace would ultimately dip into the Top 10 despite battling handling issues throughout the afternoon. The Germain Racing team worked hard to make the proper adjustments and correct the car during pit stops, but it was to no avail. While the majority of the field featured Sprint Cup drivers and teams, the GEICO Racing team would run strong and put up a solid performance in spite of their handling issues.
After 300 miles of racing and keeping the car clean, including narrow avoidance of crashes, Wallace and the GEICO Racing team would record a solid 24th place finish when the checkered flag waved over a beautiful day in Daytona.
“This was not the result we were looking for, but we have learned a great deal about the car that we can bring back here in July,” Wallace said. “We did poorly here in February 2004, but then turned around and won the July race. This race is behind us now and we are moving on to Fontana where we’ll work hard to get a win and pick up ground in the point standings. This Germain Racing team has a great attitude and they are working hard at the shop every day, so I’m certain that it’s going to pay off soon.”
He continued, “My third cousin, once removed, Lauren Wallace was here for the race, which was very exciting for everyone. On our GEICO television commercials he’s always talking about putting me in the wall, but at the race track he is there to support me, so he sat up on the pit box and gave me feedback over the radio, much like he does on geicogarage.com.”
Next week, the Germain Racing team will pack up the #7 GEICO Camry and head west to California. This will be a West Coast road trip of sorts, as they will visit Las Vegas the week following Fontana, CA.
Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry will hit the track at California Speedway in Fontana, CA, for their first practice on Friday, February 22nd, at 12:45 PM (ET). Final practice is also on Friday at 1:20 PM (ET), followed by qualifying on Saturday afternoon at 12:35 PM (ET).
The Stater Bros. 300 race is on Saturday, February 23rd, and it will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 7:00 PM (ET), while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
Visit the new 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.