Player Management International Media Release
Loudon, NH (June 28, 2008) – Sitting 8th in the point standings, Mike Wallace was looking forward to arriving in Loudon, NH, and making up ground on the Top 5.
Things would start out well, as Wallace found himself sitting 4th at the end of the first practice and 12th at the conclusion of the final session. Qualifying would not follow suit, as Wallace would find himself startinG 21st after pacing the 1-mile oval in 30.420 seconds, at a rate of speed of 125.207 MPH.
The Germain Racing team would race with heavy hearts, as team owner Bob Germain’s father passed away at 85 years of age in Naples, Florida, on Friday night.
When the green flag was displayed at the Magic Mile, Wallace and the Gecko would immediately find themselves in danger when Brad Coleman caught their right front fender, causing damage that the GEICO pit crew would work hard to repair. Also, Mother Nature proved that she has a sense of humor when she provideD temperatures in the 80’s on Friday during practice, but on Saturday she provided 64-degrees. This would affect the set up of the race car and Wallace would battle it all afternoon.
While Wallace and the Gecko would run as high as 11th, they ran solidly in the Top 15 for the balance of the afternoon. Consequently, when the checkered flag waved under overcast skies, Wallace would record a 15th place finish. While the finish is not what the GEICO team was hoping for, it still kept Wallace in the 8th position in the point standings.
“We had a good points day, but we were hoping to get another Top 5 for GEICO and Sport Clips,” Wallace said. “It was unfortunate to learn of Bob’s (Germain, team owner) father passing away on Friday night and we are keeping the Germain family in our thoughts and prayers. We will be making the trip to Naples this week to attend services and pay tribute to such a great man.”
This week, the Germain Racing team heads to Daytona Beach, Florida, which is the site of Wallace’s last win. On July 2, 2004, Wallace passed Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jason Leffler coming out of Turn 4 to hand GEICO and Sport Clips their first NASCAR victories.
Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry will hit the track at Daytona International Speedway for their opening practice session on Thursday, July 3rd at 2:30 PM (ET), with the final practice session being held at 5:30 PM (ET). Qualifying will be held on Friday afternoon at 1:05 PM (ET).
The Winn-Dixie 250 powered by Coca-Cola is on Friday night, July 4th, 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 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.