TOYOTA NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS)
Darrell Wallace Jr. — Notes & Quotes
Talladega Superspeedway – May 2, 2014
DARRELL WALLACE JR., No. 20 ToyotaCare Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Are you excited to get back to Nationwide Series competition this weekend?
“Yeah, I’m super excited if I can wake up. I was a little late taking a nap. Very, very excited to be here at Talladega making my return to the Nationwide Series. It’s like a debut all over again. We got a little bit of practice and I’m like, ‘Is that it?’ And he’s (Kevin Kidd, crew chief) like, ‘Yeah, that’s it. We’re done.’ And, I’m like, ‘Alright.’ But, I’m comfortable with it. Our Toyota Camry was pretty good in race trim. We did some group qualifying runs and see where we stack up. I think we’ll be fine for qualifying and go get them tomorrow in the race.”
What are your expectations for qualifying at Talladega?
“I have no experience with it. The Truck Series has been rained out two times and the Truck Series has only ran two races. So, I don’t know what to expect. I think it will be alright. There’s no more single-car stuff, it’s all in a pack. Just make sure we surround ourselves with the right people. I know it’s going to be — I think if we’re going to do the three-car team with Elliott (Sadler) leading and me and Sam (Hornish Jr.) the second or third, so don’t really know the lineup yet. Going to go out there and try to suck up and get us a good lap. Time it right and go out there and see. So, I’m just along for the ride just following the other two cats seeing where we go and hopefully it’s good enough to keep us in the top to keep advancing on to the next sessions.”
Is the bigger risk to race during qualifying and get the pole or risk driving through the field during the race?
“I don’t know. I was 11th yesterday and you couldn’t really see my number on the scoring pylon so I wasn’t really happy about that, so I’m kind of the same way about qualifying. But at the same time, if it doesn’t get posted we’ll be fine. That’s what I’ve got to keep telling myself. I always want to be first at everything, but I think with the older statesmen in the group that I’m with, with Kevin Kidd (crew chief) and Jerry Baxter (NCWTS crew chief) with the Truck Series — they’re just like, and ‘You’ll be fine. We’ll race fine.’ So, I’ve got to keep telling myself that. So, if we get the pole great and if not we’ll be up there.”
What does it mean to you to know that members of the ‘Alabama Gang’ like Donnie Allison, Bobby Allison and Red Farmer were disappointed to not have you here earlier this week?
“Well, that’s touches the heart for sure and that makes me upset that I wasn’t here. That’s cool to be recognized by them and I do hate that I missed out on such a great opportunity to be in front of them and to be recognized here at the race track and here in my home state. That’s neat, but it’s also a bummer.”
Have you ever raced at Talladega?
“Last year in the fall race in the Truck race.”
Is there a big difference racing a Truck at Talladega compared to a Nationwide car?
“I don’t know. I didn’t get enough practice in the Nationwide car. From what I experienced it wasn’t much different, but like Kyle (Busch) would be sitting here right next to you and he’ll give you a whole list. It’s just from experience and how many times he’s been here. For me, I’m thinking I’m still learning no matter if it’s the Truck Series or what. I’m always learning what’s going to be different. The biggest thing is it’s a Camry and not a Tundra and it’s the 20 and not the 54. I’ve got to keep telling myself that.”
