Contender And Mentor: Mike Wallace Fills Two Roles in 2007

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As he finished up the final day of Preseason Thunder testing for NASCAR Busch Series teams at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Mike Wallace (No. 7 GEICO Chevrolet) could hardly wait to head back East to Daytona Beach for the start of the 2007 season.

And who could blame him? A series veteran known as a restrictor plate specialist whose first career win came at Daytona International Speedway in the July 2004 race; Wallace has a full-time ride for the first time since 2003 and a new sponsor to boot.

He’s also partnered with J.J. Yeley (No. 1 Miccosukee Resort Chevrolet) on James Finch’s Phoenix Racing team. Yeley is gaining strength as a restrictor plate racer, having swept Busch Poles at Daytona’s events last season along with capturing the pole at Talladega in 2006.

“We have a championship-caliber team with a championship-caliber sponsor [set for] the next three years,” Wallace said.  “I certainly have a great teammate in J.J. along with the guys at Phoenix Racing.

“I certainly think we have a title-contending organization and a good chance of finishing in the top five [in points].”

Along with being in a contender’s role, Wallace will also be in a mentoring role as he’ll compete against his nephew Steve (No. 66 HomeLife Communities Dodge) this season. The 19-year-old is scheduled to run his first full season in the NASCAR Busch Series.

“He’s in a pretty good situation,” Wallace said. “He’s got his dad (Rusty Wallace) up there in the [TV] booth and me running alongside him. 

“There’s a lot of experience there for him to draw on. I’m looking forward to it.”


 
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