Wallace Robbed of Top Ten Finish in Charlotte; Gecko Heading to GEICO's Backyard

Player Management International Media Release

Concord, NC (May 24, 2008)
- Following a much needed weekend off, the GEICO Racing team would head just a few miles down the road to Lowe's Motor Speedway for a home game of sorts under the lights on Saturday night. 

When both practice and qualifying concluded, Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry found themselves starting in the 23rd position when the green flag waved under the Carolina night sky.

Wallace would waste little time moving forward, as he would find himself running in the Top 20 by Lap 26.  Unfortunately, a pit stop under caution on Lap 28 would bring bad news for the GEICO team as they were assessed a pit road penalty for a tire violation.  The error would send Wallace and the GEICO Camry to the tail end of the longest line, which meant that the Gecko would be restarting the race from the 24th position after battling hard to race inside the Top 20. 

Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry would run consistently in the Top 15, and even approach the Top 10, before a green/white/checker finish would once again determine the outcome of the event for the second consecutive race.  Wallace was running in the 13th position and preparing to move into the Top 10 when he would once again fall victim to a crash with two laps remaining. 

Just two weeks ago in Darlington, Wallace and the GEICO team suffered the same fate under nearly the same circumstances.  Unfortunately, Wallace would be forced to record a 22nd place finish instead of the Top 10 they were almost certain to achieve when the checkered flag waved at Lowe's Motor Speedway.     

A frustrated Wallace maintained a positive outlook despite the circumstances.

“It's almost the same story as two weeks ago at Darlington and it's a shame for this Germain Racing team, GEICO, Sport Clips, and Smith Transport,” Wallace said.  “We worked really hard all night to run up front and put ourselves in position to get a good finish, but it didn't work out.  This week we go to Dover, which is close to GEICO's headquarters, so we're looking forward to a great run up there.” 

This week, the Germain Racing team heads to Dover, Delaware, as Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team will take on the Monster Mile in a battle that will take place just 100-miles removed from GEICO's corporate office. 

Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry will hit the track at Dover International Speedway for their opening practice session on Friday, May 30th, at 9:00 AM (ET), with the final practice session being held at 1:15 PM (ET).  Qualifying will be held on Saturday morning at 10:35 AM (ET).

The Heluva Good! 200 is on Saturday, May 31st, and it will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 2:30 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.