Rusty Wallace
Encyclopedia
Russell William Wallace, Jr. (born August 14, 1956) is a past NASCAR
Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels
.
.
In 1983 he won the American Speed Association
(ASA) championship while competing against some of NASCAR's future stars like Mark Martin
, 1992 NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki
and Dick Trickle
.
Wallace finished second in his first NASCAR
race at Atlanta 500
in 1980, having started 7th, driving for Roger Penske
in the #16. He made nine further NASCAR appearances over the next three years, although he did not score any further top 10 finishes until he went full-time in 1984. Wallace joined the Winston Cup circuit full-time in 1984, winning NASCAR Rookie of the Year
honors and finishing 14th in the final points standings. He raced in the #88 Gatorade
Pontiac
for Cliff Stewart with the best finish of 4th in 30 races, along with two 5th places and four further top 10's. Wallace stayed with Cliff Stewart for 1985, but this time in the #2 Alugard Pontiac. In 29 races, Rusty had 2 top 5's 8 top 10's.
's Blue Max Racing team. Rusty's first win came on April 6, 1986, at Bristol Motor Speedway
. He also won at Martinsville on September 21. He finished the year with 2 wins, 4 top 5's and 16 top 10's in 29 races. Wallace finished 6th in the points, his first top 10 in the standings.
For 1987 Wallace gained sponsorship from Kodiak, establishing the #27 Kodiak Pontiac livery his early career is most remembered for. He took victories at Watkins Glen
and Riverside
, as well first series pole at Michigan in June. These results were backed up with 9 top 5's and 16 top 10's in 29 races. He finished 5th in points.
Wallace developed his career further in 1988, scoring six victories including four of the final five races of the year. His wins came at Michigan, Charlotte, North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, the final race ever at Riverside
, and the season finale at Atlanta. With these 6 wins as well as 19 top 5's four further top 10's, he finished second to Bill Elliott
by 24 points.
In 1989, Wallace won the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship,with crew chief Barry Dodson, by finishing 15th at the Atlanta Journal 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, to beating out close friend and fierce rival Dale Earnhardt
who won the race, by twelve points. Wallace also won The Winston in controversial fashion, by spinning out Darrell Waltrip
on the last lap.
In 1990
, Raymond Beadle switched sponsors, to Miller Genuine Draft. The four-year sponsorship deal was specifically tied to Rusty Wallace, meaning it went where the 1989 champ went. The 1989 championship year was reportedly marked with acrimony between Wallace and Beadle. However, Wallace was stuck with the team for 1990 due to his contract. Rusty had 18 wins for Beadle.
, and he continued in the #2 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac. He also won the 1991 IROC
championship.
While 1992 only carried him one win, the win at the Miller 400 was satisfying; it was the first win for Rusty in a car which arguably was Rusty's best known chassis for his career, one affectionately known as "Midnight" after the win. "Midnight" would be raced for six seasons, carrying various race wins, before being retired in 1997.
1993
was arguably his most successful season despite two major accidents at Daytona and Talladega in which his car went airborne and flipped several times. He had already won the second race of the season Feb 28th 1993 at North Carolina Motor Speedway but also a sad one as his friend and reigning NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki was killed flying into Bristol Speedway in April 1993, because of this Rusty won the race at Bristol and in respect to Alan Kulwicki he did a "Polish victory lap"—turning his car around and driving around the track the wrong way, as made famous by Kulwicki. Every race Rusty won that year he did a "Kulwicki victory lap". He won all 3 races in April (Bristol 4/4/93, North Wilkesboro 4/18/93
and Martinsville 4/25/93). Also he won the first ever race at the New Hampshire Speedway starting 33rd on July 11.
In 1993, he won 10 of the 30 races, but finished second in the final points standings, 80 points behind Earnhardt. He ended the season strong, finishing in the Top-3 in all but two of the final ten races of the season.
Penske switched to Fords
in 1994
.
In 1996, sponsorship changed from Miller Genuine Draft to Miller beer sponsorship.
In 1997
, Miller changed the teams sponsorship to Miller Lite
, replacing the black and gold with a blue and white scheme.
In 1998, Wallace won the Bud Shootout at Daytona, A non-points race for the previous years pole winners and past winners of the race. It was the first win for Ford's new Taurus
, and Wallace's only victory at NASCAR's premier track (as well as his only victory in any restrictor plate
race) in a Cup car
In 2003, Penske Racing switched to Dodge, and appropriately, in 2004, Wallace won his 55th, and final, race on a short track: the 2004 spring Martinsville Speedway
race. It was also the last win for the track under the ownership of the H. Clay Earles
Trust; the death of Mary Weatherford (matriarch of the trust) forced the Trust to sell the track a month later.
On August 30, 2004 Wallace announced that the 2005
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
season would be his last as a full-time driver. Although at the time the possibility remained that he may have continued to run a limited schedule after the 2005 season—as semi-retirees Bill Elliott
and Terry Labonte
also have done, Wallace's current broadcasting contract forbids him from doing so. Kurt Busch would replace Wallace in the number 2 Miller Lite Dodge in 2006-2010. In 2011, Brad Keselowski will drive the number 2.
In 2006, Wallace returned to his General Motors
roots when he raced a Crawford-Pontiac sportscar, painted black and carrying the familiar stylised #2. The car was sponsored by Callaway Golf, in the Rolex 24 at Daytona
, teamed with Danica Patrick
and Allan McNish
; in 2008, his NASCAR Nationwide Series cars switched from Dodge to Chevrolet.
To date, Rusty had 55 NASCAR Cup wins, which is tied for 8th on NASCAR's all-time wins list. They include victories at Charlotte
as well as the series' last three road courses (Riverside
, Infineon
and Watkins Glen
), but none at Daytona
, Darlington, Indianapolis
or Talladega
. Wallace has the most short track wins in NASCAR history with 34, and therefore he is considered among the best short track drivers in NASCAR history. He retired after the 2005 season with a 14.4 career average finish.
events for ESPN and ABC. Despite Rusty's lack of open-wheel racing experience, his assignments began with the IndyCar
Series and included the Indianapolis 500
(in a perhaps forgivable lapse, he described a thrilling battle on the last lap as "The most exciting Daytona 500
ever!"). He joined the NASCAR broadcasting team for both networks when they started coverage of the sport in 2007. He signed a six year deal with ESPN
in 2006. Rusty also returned to commentate for the 2007 Indy 500. He also co-hosts the syndicated program, NASCAR Angels
with Shannon Wiseman.
driven by Michael Annett
and the #66 5 Hour Energy
Toyota Camry
driven by Wallace's son Steven Wallace.
and Mike
, who are from Missouri, also currently race on the NASCAR circuit. Rusty and his wife Patti have three children—Greg, Katie, and Steven—and now live on a large ranch outside Charlotte, N.C. Steven races in the Nationwide Series and he will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at the 2011 Daytona 500 making him the fourth member of his family to compete in the Daytona 500 and in NASCAR, behind the Bodines(Geoff, Brett, and Todd), Pettys(Lee, Richard, and Kyle), Earnhardts(Dale and Dale Jr.), and the Allisons(Bobby, Donnie, and Davey).
Off the track, Wallace is an avid pilot, owning several airplanes and a helicopter.
His Father Russell Wallace Sr. passed away October 30, 2011 at Age 77.
. The Iowa Speedway
had its first race on September 15, 2007 and hosted many races in 2007 including an IRL race. The track is noted for its structural similarity to Richmond International Raceway
, where Wallace has won six times. The Iowa Speedway hosted its first NASCAR
Nationwide Series race in 2009.
through the Gatorade Twin 125's. He was tapped by Rick Wilson
, got airborne, and went on a spectacular series of flips that hospitalized Wallace. The next one came at what is undoubtly the last place to ever see a flip: Bristol Motor Speedway
. What started it was unclear, but Wallace climbed the wall and did a superspeedway barrell roll. ESPN
commentator Dr. Jerry Punch was the first responder, and probably saved his life. In 1993, Rusty had two massive flips, the first of which was at Daytona during the Daytona 500, where he was tapped by the crashing cars of Michael Waltrip
and Derrike Cope
, and barrel rolled down the backstraight several feet in the air. Just 2 months later at the Winston 500
at Talladega, racing to the checkered flag, Rusty was clipped by Dale Earnhardt, and flew into the air before violently flipping past the start-finish line, resulting in a broken wrist. Earnhardt was visibly shaken by the incident and did make sure Wallace was okay by checking on him after the race had concluded.
. He & his brothers all appeared in the Electronic Arts
video game "NASCAR Rumble
". Mike was featured as a Craftsman Truck Series driver, driving the #2 ASE Dodge (no specific car makes for the Trucks; the real truck was a Dodge at the time), Kenny was featured in the game driving the #55 Square D Chevrolet
(although the game's commerial showed him driving the #81 Square D Ford) & Rusty was featured in the game driving his #2 Ford, with the exception that the Miller Lite stickers are replaced by Penske Racing
stickers similar to current Penske Championship Racing driver Brad Keselowski
, whose sponsor is censored by NASCAR's ban on wireless telephone advertising. All publishers of NASCAR titles are prohibited from carrying alcohol or tobacco advertising on their cars.
He was teammates with his brother Mike, once in his career when Mike Wallace subbed for Jeremy Mayfield
at Penske Racing.
The #62 South Point Chevrolet Impala SS driven by Brendan Gaughan in 2009 on the NASCAR Nationwide Series intentionally carries a black and gold paint scheme reminiscent of Wallace's legendary "Miller Genuine Draft " car.
Wallace also owns several automobile dealerships.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels
NASCAR Angels
NASCAR Angels is an American syndicated half-hour television series which airs in various markets on the weekends. It is hosted by Shannon Wiseman and former NASCAR Cup Series Champion Rusty Wallace...
.
Early racing career
Prior to joining the NASCAR circuit, Wallace made a name for himself racing around the Midwest in the late 1970s by winning a pair of local track championships. Wallace, a Missouri native, won more than 200 short track races. In 1979 he won United States Auto Club's (USAC) Stock Car Rookie of the Year honors, behind A.J. Foyt and Bay Darnell. He finished second in USAC Stock Car in 1981 behind Joe RuttmanJoe Ruttman
Joe Ruttman , is an American former racecar driver. He currently lives in Franklin, Tenn. He actively competed in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series and is a 13 time winner in the Truck Series, the seventh most wins by any driver in the Truck...
.
In 1983 he won the American Speed Association
American Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
(ASA) championship while competing against some of NASCAR's future stars like Mark Martin
Mark Martin (NASCAR)
Mark Anthony Martin is an American stock car driver currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As of 2012, Martin will drive for Michael Waltrip Racing, moving on from successful organizations such as Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing. He has the second most wins in the NASCAR...
, 1992 NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki
Alan Kulwicki
Alan Dennis Kulwicki , nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series racecar driver. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series...
and Dick Trickle
Dick Trickle
Richard "Dick" Trickle is a retired American race car driver. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. Trickle has competed in the ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle has logged...
.
NASCAR career
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
race at Atlanta 500
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
in 1980, having started 7th, driving for Roger Penske
Roger Penske
Roger S. Penske is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. A winning racer in the late 1950s, Penske was named 1961's Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated...
in the #16. He made nine further NASCAR appearances over the next three years, although he did not score any further top 10 finishes until he went full-time in 1984. Wallace joined the Winston Cup circuit full-time in 1984, winning NASCAR Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
honors and finishing 14th in the final points standings. He raced in the #88 Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
for Cliff Stewart with the best finish of 4th in 30 races, along with two 5th places and four further top 10's. Wallace stayed with Cliff Stewart for 1985, but this time in the #2 Alugard Pontiac. In 29 races, Rusty had 2 top 5's 8 top 10's.
Blue Max Racing
For 1986 he switched teams to the #27 Alugard Pontiac for Raymond BeadleRaymond Beadle
Raymond Beadle was an American nitro funny car and dragster racer, as well as a prolific auto racing team owner.In the sport of drag racing, Beadle's 'Blue Max' cars he won three consecutive NHRA funny car championships from 1979 to 1981 and three IHRA funny car championships - 1975-6 and 1981.In...
's Blue Max Racing team. Rusty's first win came on April 6, 1986, at Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
. He also won at Martinsville on September 21. He finished the year with 2 wins, 4 top 5's and 16 top 10's in 29 races. Wallace finished 6th in the points, his first top 10 in the standings.
For 1987 Wallace gained sponsorship from Kodiak, establishing the #27 Kodiak Pontiac livery his early career is most remembered for. He took victories at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
and Riverside
Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...
, as well first series pole at Michigan in June. These results were backed up with 9 top 5's and 16 top 10's in 29 races. He finished 5th in points.
Wallace developed his career further in 1988, scoring six victories including four of the final five races of the year. His wins came at Michigan, Charlotte, North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, the final race ever at Riverside
Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...
, and the season finale at Atlanta. With these 6 wins as well as 19 top 5's four further top 10's, he finished second to Bill Elliott
Bill Elliott
William Clyde "Bill" Elliott , also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill, is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007. He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup...
by 24 points.
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
who won the race, by twelve points. Wallace also won The Winston in controversial fashion, by spinning out Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Lee Waltrip is a 3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion , 3-time runner-up , winner of the 1989 Daytona 500 and 5-time winner of the prestigeous Coca-Cola 600 ,...
on the last lap.
In 1990
1990 in NASCAR
The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Sunday February 11 and ended on Sunday November 18. Because of a highly controversial penalty to Mark Martin early in the season, Dale Earnhardt with Richard Childress Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion for the fourth time, edging out Martin by 21...
, Raymond Beadle switched sponsors, to Miller Genuine Draft. The four-year sponsorship deal was specifically tied to Rusty Wallace, meaning it went where the 1989 champ went. The 1989 championship year was reportedly marked with acrimony between Wallace and Beadle. However, Wallace was stuck with the team for 1990 due to his contract. Rusty had 18 wins for Beadle.
Penske Racing
In 1991 Wallace took the Miller sponsorship with him to Penske RacingPenske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
, and he continued in the #2 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac. He also won the 1991 IROC
International Race of Champions
International Race of Champions, better known as IROC, was a North American auto racing competition, promoted as an equivalent of an American All-Star Game or The Masters...
championship.
While 1992 only carried him one win, the win at the Miller 400 was satisfying; it was the first win for Rusty in a car which arguably was Rusty's best known chassis for his career, one affectionately known as "Midnight" after the win. "Midnight" would be raced for six seasons, carrying various race wins, before being retired in 1997.
1993
1993 in NASCAR
The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began on February 7 and ended on November 14. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won the title, the sixth of his career....
was arguably his most successful season despite two major accidents at Daytona and Talladega in which his car went airborne and flipped several times. He had already won the second race of the season Feb 28th 1993 at North Carolina Motor Speedway but also a sad one as his friend and reigning NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki was killed flying into Bristol Speedway in April 1993, because of this Rusty won the race at Bristol and in respect to Alan Kulwicki he did a "Polish victory lap"—turning his car around and driving around the track the wrong way, as made famous by Kulwicki. Every race Rusty won that year he did a "Kulwicki victory lap". He won all 3 races in April (Bristol 4/4/93, North Wilkesboro 4/18/93
1993 First Union 400
The 1993 First Union 400 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on April 18, 1993 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the American community of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.-Summary:...
and Martinsville 4/25/93). Also he won the first ever race at the New Hampshire Speedway starting 33rd on July 11.
In 1993, he won 10 of the 30 races, but finished second in the final points standings, 80 points behind Earnhardt. He ended the season strong, finishing in the Top-3 in all but two of the final ten races of the season.
Penske switched to Fords
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in 1994
1994 in NASCAR
The 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 13. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing was crowned champion at season's end, winning consecutive Winston Cups for the third time in his career and tying Richard Petty for the record of most top-level...
.
In 1996, sponsorship changed from Miller Genuine Draft to Miller beer sponsorship.
1997 in NASCAR
- 1997 Team Chart :- Busch Clash :The Busch Clash, a race for polewinners from the previous season, and drivers who have won the event before, was run on February 9 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Terry Labonte drew the pole...
, Miller changed the teams sponsorship to Miller Lite
Miller Lite
Miller Lite is a 4.2% abv pale lager brand sold by MillerCoors of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Sibling beers include Miller Genuine Draft and Miller High Life.-History:...
, replacing the black and gold with a blue and white scheme.
In 1998, Wallace won the Bud Shootout at Daytona, A non-points race for the previous years pole winners and past winners of the race. It was the first win for Ford's new Taurus
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
, and Wallace's only victory at NASCAR's premier track (as well as his only victory in any restrictor plate
Restrictor plate
A restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. This kind of system is occasionally used in road vehicles for insurance purposes, but mainly in automobile racing, to limit top speed and thus increase safety, to provide equal level of...
race) in a Cup car
In 2003, Penske Racing switched to Dodge, and appropriately, in 2004, Wallace won his 55th, and final, race on a short track: the 2004 spring Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
race. It was also the last win for the track under the ownership of the H. Clay Earles
H. Clay Earles
Henry Clay Earles was the founder and chairman of the board of Martinsville Speedway, a NASCAR stock car racing track that Earles built in 1947 in Ridgeway, Virginia that was one of the circuit's first paved oval tracks and stands as one of its shortest.Born in Axton, Virginia on August 11, 1913,...
Trust; the death of Mary Weatherford (matriarch of the trust) forced the Trust to sell the track a month later.
On August 30, 2004 Wallace announced that the 2005
2005 in NASCAR
The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series began on Saturday, February 12. The ten race Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 18, and ended on Sunday, November 20, with the Ford 400....
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
NEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
season would be his last as a full-time driver. Although at the time the possibility remained that he may have continued to run a limited schedule after the 2005 season—as semi-retirees Bill Elliott
Bill Elliott
William Clyde "Bill" Elliott , also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill, is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007. He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup...
and Terry Labonte
Terry Labonte
Terrance Lee Labonte is a semi-retired NASCAR driver who occasionally drives in the Sprint Cup Series when called upon and is a two-time Winston Cup and IROC champion. He currently drives the #32 U.S. Chrome Ford for FAS Lane Racing. Labonte was introduced to the sport through his father, who had...
also have done, Wallace's current broadcasting contract forbids him from doing so. Kurt Busch would replace Wallace in the number 2 Miller Lite Dodge in 2006-2010. In 2011, Brad Keselowski will drive the number 2.
In 2006, Wallace returned to his General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
roots when he raced a Crawford-Pontiac sportscar, painted black and carrying the familiar stylised #2. The car was sponsored by Callaway Golf, in the Rolex 24 at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
, teamed with Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, being the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd...
and Allan McNish
Allan McNish
Allan McNish is a Scottish racing driver. He is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, most recently in 2008, and two-time American Le Mans Series champion.- Early life :...
; in 2008, his NASCAR Nationwide Series cars switched from Dodge to Chevrolet.
To date, Rusty had 55 NASCAR Cup wins, which is tied for 8th on NASCAR's all-time wins list. They include victories at Charlotte
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
as well as the series' last three road courses (Riverside
Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...
, Infineon
Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills...
and Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
), but none at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
, Darlington, Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
or Talladega
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
. Wallace has the most short track wins in NASCAR history with 34, and therefore he is considered among the best short track drivers in NASCAR history. He retired after the 2005 season with a 14.4 career average finish.
NASCAR Cup Statistics
| Year | Starts | Wins | Top Fives | Top Tens | Poles | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 36 | 0 | 8 | 17 | 0 | 8th |
| Totals | 706 | 55 | 202 | 349 | 36 | - |
Broadcast career
On January 25, 2006, it was announced that Rusty would cover auto racingAuto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
events for ESPN and ABC. Despite Rusty's lack of open-wheel racing experience, his assignments began with the IndyCar
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
Series and included the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
(in a perhaps forgivable lapse, he described a thrilling battle on the last lap as "The most exciting Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
ever!"). He joined the NASCAR broadcasting team for both networks when they started coverage of the sport in 2007. He signed a six year deal with ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 2006. Rusty also returned to commentate for the 2007 Indy 500. He also co-hosts the syndicated program, NASCAR Angels
NASCAR Angels
NASCAR Angels is an American syndicated half-hour television series which airs in various markets on the weekends. It is hosted by Shannon Wiseman and former NASCAR Cup Series Champion Rusty Wallace...
with Shannon Wiseman.
Car owner
He also owns and operates Rusty Wallace Racing, which fields the #62 Pilot Flying J Toyota CamryToyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
driven by Michael Annett
Michael Annett
Michael Annett is an American racecar driver. He currently drives the #62 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota Camry for Rusty Wallace Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series....
and the #66 5 Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy
5-hour Energy is a flavored energy shot made in the United States, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It is sold in 2-oz containers. The makers of the drink claim that it will provide hours of energy and, unlike other energy drinks, will not cause a sugar crash later...
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
driven by Wallace's son Steven Wallace.
Family
Rusty's two blood brothers, KennyKenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
and Mike
Mike Wallace (NASCAR)
Mike Wallace is a NASCAR race car driver born in Fenton, Missouri. He currently drives the #01 Chevrolet for JD Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. He is a younger brother to Rusty Wallace, older brother to Kenny Wallace, and uncle to Steve Wallace...
, who are from Missouri, also currently race on the NASCAR circuit. Rusty and his wife Patti have three children—Greg, Katie, and Steven—and now live on a large ranch outside Charlotte, N.C. Steven races in the Nationwide Series and he will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at the 2011 Daytona 500 making him the fourth member of his family to compete in the Daytona 500 and in NASCAR, behind the Bodines(Geoff, Brett, and Todd), Pettys(Lee, Richard, and Kyle), Earnhardts(Dale and Dale Jr.), and the Allisons(Bobby, Donnie, and Davey).
Off the track, Wallace is an avid pilot, owning several airplanes and a helicopter.
His Father Russell Wallace Sr. passed away October 30, 2011 at Age 77.
Iowa Speedway
In late 2005, Rusty Wallace broke ground on his "Signature Design Speedway" in Newton, IowaNewton, Iowa
Newton is a city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,254. It is the home of Maytag Dairy Farms and was formerly home to the Maytag Corporation's corporate headquarters until the Whirlpool Corporation acquired it in 2006...
. The Iowa Speedway
Iowa Speedway
Iowa Speedway is a 7/8-mile paved oval motor racing track in Newton, Iowa, United States, approximately east of Des Moines. The track was designed with influence from Rusty Wallace and patterned after Richmond International Raceway, a short track where Wallace was very successful...
had its first race on September 15, 2007 and hosted many races in 2007 including an IRL race. The track is noted for its structural similarity to Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
, where Wallace has won six times. The Iowa Speedway hosted its first NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series race in 2009.
Major wrecks
Wallace is known for several major wrecks throughout his racing career. The first one happened in 1983, when Wallace was attempting the Daytona 500Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
through the Gatorade Twin 125's. He was tapped by Rick Wilson
Rick Wilson (NASCAR)
Rick Wilson is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver. He began racing in 1980, and posted 23 top-ten finishes over his career...
, got airborne, and went on a spectacular series of flips that hospitalized Wallace. The next one came at what is undoubtly the last place to ever see a flip: Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
. What started it was unclear, but Wallace climbed the wall and did a superspeedway barrell roll. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
commentator Dr. Jerry Punch was the first responder, and probably saved his life. In 1993, Rusty had two massive flips, the first of which was at Daytona during the Daytona 500, where he was tapped by the crashing cars of Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Michael Curtis Waltrip is a semi-former professional race car driver, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and a published author. He is the younger brother of three-time NASCAR champion and racing commentator Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500; having won the race in...
and Derrike Cope
Derrike Cope
Derrike Cope is a NASCAR driver. He is best known for his win in the 1990 Daytona 500. He currently drives the #28 Chevrolet for Jay Robinson Racing in the Nationwide Series and the #75 Chevrolet/Dodge for his own team in the Sprint Cup Series.-Early years:Cope was born in San Diego, California...
, and barrel rolled down the backstraight several feet in the air. Just 2 months later at the Winston 500
1993 Winston 500
The 1993 Winston 500 was held on May 2, 1993 at Talladega Superspeedway and was the 10th race of the 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Rusty Wallace flipped for the second time that season across the finish line. Dale Earnhardt tapped him into a spin, which caused Rusty's car to get airborne and...
at Talladega, racing to the checkered flag, Rusty was clipped by Dale Earnhardt, and flew into the air before violently flipping past the start-finish line, resulting in a broken wrist. Earnhardt was visibly shaken by the incident and did make sure Wallace was okay by checking on him after the race had concluded.
Endorsements
- 2003 – Callaway Golf – Callaway Golf Signs NASCAR Driver Rusty Wallace to Multiyear Endorsement and Licensing Agreement.
- 2009 – U.S. Fidelis – USfidelis TV Campaign Debuts, Featuring NASCAR's Steve and Rusty Wallace. The March 2010 bankruptcy of US Fidelis lists Rusty Wallace Racing as a creditor owed $535,439.
- 2009 – Lista International Corporation – Legendary NASCAR Driver Rusty Wallace Endorses Lista Products in New Online Video
Personal
Wallace was featured in Days of ThunderDays of Thunder
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes and Michael Rooker. The film also features appearances...
. He & his brothers all appeared in the Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
video game "NASCAR Rumble
NASCAR Rumble
NASCAR Rumble is a racing game by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation. The player or players can race through 18 different courses set in six different areas collecting powerups to aid them...
". Mike was featured as a Craftsman Truck Series driver, driving the #2 ASE Dodge (no specific car makes for the Trucks; the real truck was a Dodge at the time), Kenny was featured in the game driving the #55 Square D Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
(although the game's commerial showed him driving the #81 Square D Ford) & Rusty was featured in the game driving his #2 Ford, with the exception that the Miller Lite stickers are replaced by Penske Racing
Penske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
stickers similar to current Penske Championship Racing driver Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski
Bradley Robert Keselowski is an American auto racing driver currently competing in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire Company/Ruby Tuesday Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series for Penske Racing...
, whose sponsor is censored by NASCAR's ban on wireless telephone advertising. All publishers of NASCAR titles are prohibited from carrying alcohol or tobacco advertising on their cars.
He was teammates with his brother Mike, once in his career when Mike Wallace subbed for Jeremy Mayfield
Jeremy Mayfield
Jeremy Allen Mayfield is a former NASCAR driver who last competed in 2009 due to legal troubles and an indefinite suspension by NASCAR. Prior to 2009, Mayfield drove cars for the Sadler Brothers, T.W. Taylor, Cale Yarborough, Michael Kranefuss, Roger Penske, Ray Evernham, Bill Davis, and Gene Haas...
at Penske Racing.
The #62 South Point Chevrolet Impala SS driven by Brendan Gaughan in 2009 on the NASCAR Nationwide Series intentionally carries a black and gold paint scheme reminiscent of Wallace's legendary "Miller Genuine Draft " car.
Wallace also owns several automobile dealerships.
External links
- Rusty Wallace's official web site
- Rusty Wallace's signature designed speedway
- NASCAR.com: Rusty Wallace
- June 2005 interview with Rusty Wallace
- Rusty Wallace info
- Penske Racing
- NASCAR and IROC driver's statistics at racing-reference.info
- A Rusty Wallace fan site, www.rusty2wo.com
- An online community and new era for Rusty Wallace fans- http://www.rustywallacefans.com
- Rusty Wallace's ESPN Bio