STEVE WALLACE / RUSTY WALLACE RACING NEWS AND NOTES: CHARLOTTE
EVENT: History 300, Round 10 of 33 in the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series
DATE / TIME: Saturday, May 25, 2013, 3:00 PM ET
VENUE: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC (1.5-Mile Oval)
DISTANCE: 200 Laps, 300 Miles
TV / RADIO: NASCAR Countdown–ABC (Live–2:30 PM ET), Race Coverage–ABC (Live–2:45 PM ET), Radio–MRN Radio / Sirius (Live)
THE HEADLINES.
THE STORY: After finishing among the top-ten in Nationwide Series points from 2009-2011, Steve Wallace will attempt his first Nationwide Series start of 2013 this weekend at Charlotte. Backing Wallace’s effort is Richard Tocado Companies, a Charlotte, NC-based provider of mortgage and real estate consulting services. Wallace will pilot a former Roush-Fenway Mustang in the event, powered by Roush Yates Engines.
A HELPING HAND: While Wallace’s Ford Mustang was prepared out of the Rusty Wallace Racing shops, pit road duties will be handled by Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 55 Sprint Cup Series team. Blake Bainbridge will serve as crew chief and former No. 66 car chief, Ricky Cade, will have the same role this weekend.
STEVE WALLACE AT CHARLOTTE: Wallace’s best Charlotte finish came in the May 2011 running of this event, when he started 16th and persevered for a 7th-place finish. He finished on the lead lap in his two most recent races at Charlotte.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Wallace and the No. 66 team tested their Ford Mustang at Charlotte earlier this month. Noted Steve, “I thought it might take me a while to get back up to speed, but I surprised myself by how comfortable I was in the car. We worked really hard on these cars and I’ll tell you what, I think that was probably the best-handling car that I’ve ever had at Charlotte.”
“RACE HOME WITH RUSTY”: Rusty Wallace Racing welcomes Richard Tocado Companies as the primary sponsor of the No. 66 team this weekend in Charlotte. A Charlotte-based provider of mortgage and real estate consulting services, Tocado has built a unique promotion for race fans. Now through July 15, fans can visit homewithrichard.com/rusty and enter to win one of several once in a lifetime experiences. The grand prize winner will receive a tour of the Hall of Fame, personally guided by 2013 inductee, Rusty Wallace. Additionally, 50 first prize winners will receive a ride along with Rusty or Steve Wallace in a Rusty Wallace Racing Experience car at Charlotte.
RIDE ALONG WITH STEVE: Steve’s No. 66 Mustang will carry Nationwide Insurance’s in-car camera for Saturday’s event, televised nationally on ABC.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: The Wallace family’s relationship with the late Dick Trickle has been well-documented. In tribute to Trickle, the deck lid of Wallace’s Ford this weekend will carry a message honoring the late driver.
THE MACHINES.
TEAM 66 PRIMARY: RWR-101–For the second time in his young career, Wallace will be at the helm of a Ford Mustang for the Charlotte event. A former Trevor Bayne-piloted Roush-Fenway vehicle, Wallace’s Mustang will be powered by Roush-Yates Engines. This chassis was last piloted by Wallace in last year’s spring event at Richmond.
TEAM 66 BACKUP: RWR-102–Recently acquired by RWR, this chassis is a former Roush-Fenway Mustang, previously piloted by Carl Edwards to several NNS victories in previous years.
FROM THE COCKPIT.
STEVE, TALK ABOUT YOUR EFFORT FOR CHARLOTTE. “I’ll tell you what, I’ve never been more excited for a race in my life. Blake Bainbridge and I have worked so hard on these cars the last several months and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the racetrack. I really want to thank Richard Tocado Companies for giving me the opportunity. We went out to Charlotte a few weeks ago and had a chance to shake down our primary car. We learned a whole lot about the car, but it also gave me a lot of confidence in myself. It has been awhile since I’ve been in one of these cars on a speedway, but I felt really comfortable. In fact, this car was probably the best handling car I’ve ever had at Charlotte. Hopefully, the rain will stay away and we can put together a good finish to show for all of the hard work we’ve put in over the last few months.”
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About Rusty Wallace Racing
North Carolina-based Rusty Wallace Racing is a professional auto racing team steeped in the legendary history of its founder, NASCAR Hall of Famer and ESPN Lead Auto Racing Analyst, Rusty Wallace. The team has campaigned entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and other stock car sanctions. For more on Rusty Wallace Racing, please visit the award-winning rustywallace.com.
