Player Management International Media Release
Watkins Glen, NY (August 9, 2008) – After leaving Montreal, Mike Wallace and the GEICO Racing team had seen enough of the rain. Unfortunately, the rain would accompany the team when they arrived at Watkins Glen International for the third and final road course race of the 2008 season.
Set in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Watkins Glen easily competes with the most beautiful race venues in the world. Friday would see the worst of it, as rain would limit NASCAR’s number two series to a single practice session. Wallace rested 25th on the speed charts, just behind Dale Earnhardt, Jr., when the day concluded. The GEICO team eagerly awaited qualifying on Saturday morning, hoping to better their 11th place start the prior week in Montreal.
Qualifying did not go as planned, as Wallace would wind up 30th on the starting grid.
Unfortunately, due to a spin during qualifying, Wallace and the Germain Racing team were forced to put new tires on the #7 GEICO Camry, which NASCAR would rule as an unapproved adjustment and relegate Wallace to the rear of the field for the start of the Zippo 200.
Saturday afternoon was the perfect setting for a race, but the fierce competition that took place on the racetrack would betray the 75-degree temperature, beautiful sky and picturesque background.
If sending the #7 GEICO Camry to the back of the field for the start of the race was supposed to be a challenge, then no one told Wallace. By Lap 16, he had the GEICO Camry in the 23rd position, moving up nearly 20 positions. By Lap 23, he had reached the Top 15 and was moving forward quickly.
Unfortunately, on the Lap 53 restart, Wallace was penalized for allegedly pitting too early, as he had already entered pit road when the caution flag initially waved. Consequently, he was sent to the tail of the longest line, which would find the GEICO Camry in the 31st position.
Wallace would once again launch an assault on the field and when the checkered flag was displayed at the 2.45-mile road course the #7 GEICO Camry recorded an 18th place finish. The solid run keeps Wallace in the 8th position in the point standings.
“We obviously experienced a couple of setbacks, but we fought really hard all day and were able to have a solid run,” Wallace said. “I’ve had fun the last couple of weeks driving the #7 GEICO Camry on the road courses, but now we’ll turn our attention back to ovals this week. As we move on to Michigan, we’re going to continue to work really hard to move GEICO, Sport Clips and Smith Transport up the point standings.”
This week, Mike Wallace and the Germain Racing team will pack up the #7 GEICO Camry and head to the Irish Hills of Michigan.
Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Camry will hit the track at Michigan International Speedway for their opening practice session on Friday, August 15th, at 1:45 PM (ET), with the final practice session being held at 5:15 PM (ET). Qualifying will be held on Saturday morning at 10:40 AM (ET).
The Carfax 250 is on Saturday, August 16th, and it will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:00 PM (ET), while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast.
Visit GEICO Racing’s innovative, interactive 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.