CONCORD, N.C. (November 19, 2012) – Kenny Wallace and the Toyota “Let’s Go Places” Racing Team headed to Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend to compete in Saturday’s 300-mile season finale. Wallace proved RAB Racing’s No. 99 Toyota “Let’s Go Places” Toyota Camry was fast in practice. Unfortunately, the team was unable to prove it in finishing position after Wallace battled a loose-handling car throughout the event, leaving him 15th when the checkered flag waved.
Making the only trip to the south-Florida track during the 2012 Nationwide Series season, Wallace and RAB Racing recorded the second and 12th-fastest times, respectively, in Friday’s dual Nationwide Series practice sessions. After his qualifying attempt on the 1.5-mile oval, Wallace posted a speed fast enough to slot into the 17th starting position.
From the drop of the green flag, Wallace reported that his Toyota Camry was extremely loose. A long green-flag run saw Wallace lose a lap to the race leaders, but thanks to timing and creative pit strategy, Wallace was the beneficiary of the free pass on Lap 74.
Continued adjustments each time Wallace hit pit road saw marked improvements with the handling of the Toyota “Let’s Go Places” Camry, and as green-flag conditions continued and scheduled pit stops began, Wallace posted the No. 99 to the top of the leader board at Lap 151. When the cycle of stops completed and the laps wound down, The St. Louis native settled into the 15th spot, where he would take the checkered flag.
“I’m extremely proud of everyone on this team,” said Wallace. “Our Toyota “Let’s Go Places” Camry was a handful at the beginning of the race, but Scott Zipadelli gave me the right adjustments and really dialed the car in. Towards the end of the race, we were just too far back to really be able to do anything. We were trapped in dirty air with all of the guys in front of us racing for position. All in all, it was a good night, and a great end to the 2012 season.”
RAB Racing wraps up the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season 18th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series owner point standings. The team’s two NASCAR Nationwide Series entries notched one top-five and four top-10 finishes. RAB Racing-prepared Toyotas completed 5,680 laps with its eight drivers – Alex Bowman, Patrick Carpentier, Victor Gonzalez, Jr., Brett Moffit, Travis Pastrana, John Wes Townley, Ryan Truex and Wallace.