Movies

NASCAR: 65-year-old veteran at risk of missing the Daytona 500?

BBG News

Mike Wallace has been confirmed by MBM Motorsports to drive their No. 66 Ford at Daytona International Speedway next month, aiming to earn a spot in the upcoming 67th running of the Daytona 500.

NASCAR determined that Wallace couldn’t drive the No. 66 Ford because of his lack of recent participation in significant motor racing events. Regardless of this decision, Wallace still wouldn’t have qualified for the Daytona 500 field, and chances are he wouldn’t have made it even if he had.

Since 2015, Wallace has refrained from making an effort to qualify for the “Great American Race,” having represented Premium Motorsports during that year. Similarly, MBM Motorsports have not participated in this race since 2020, although they attempted to qualify in both 2021 and 2022.

Born in Fenton, Missouri, the 65-year-old individual was striving to be the first driver to participate in five distinct generations of Cup Series races. However, it’s safe to say that his chances were slim, as he would have had a significant challenge even qualifying for the race.

Mike Wallace was never locked into Daytona 500 field.

The unchartered No. 66 Ford isn’t bound to the 200-lap race on the four-corner, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Daytona Beach, Florida oval like the 36 officially registered cars are. Instead, it has the freedom to participate in this event without a specific obligation.

There are just four open spots left for entries. Two drivers earn these through speed during the individual qualifying round, while the other two compete their way in by participating in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel races. If a driver manages to secure a spot twice, then the remaining place is given to the quickest driver from the individual qualifying session.

Currently, there are five confirmed spots available for drivers, including the No. 66 Ford that’s looking for a new pilot at the moment.

As a gamer, here’s how I might put it: Among the six cars I’ll be racing against, there’s the unassigned No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet, probably driven by J.J. Yeley. Then there’s the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet for Anthony Alfredo. The No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet is piloted by their co-owner B.J. McLeod. And Helio Castroneves will be behind the wheel of the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. But I’m expecting five more opponents to join us on the track.

Based on Jayski’s report, as many as ten unchartered vehicles might compete for the four available spots. The Legacy Motor Club is likely to field car number 84 with team co-owner Jimmie Johnson once again. Additionally, car number 15, previously a chartered entry from Rick Ware Racing, is anticipated to run part-time in 2025 despite leasing its charter to RFK Racing earlier.

Richard Childress Racing intends to field a third car, the #33 Chevy, in certain events, and there’s a possibility that the Daytona 500 might be one of those occasions. Additionally, Team AmeriVet may participate with their #50 Chevy as well.

After that, we have Martin Truex Jr., who continues his quest for a Toyota ride. While a definitive team remains unannounced, Tricon Garage, through an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, is speculated to be his potential destination. Cole Pearn has already been secured as the crew chief of the No. 56 team in this arrangement.

Currently, there are 41 cars scheduled to participate, but only 40 are allowed in Cup Series races typically. Yet, it’s possible that all 41 cars could potentially race in the Daytona 500, thanks to a new “world-class driver” provisional rule recently introduced for Castroneves.

Winning the Indy 500 four times ensures this driver gets an entry pass, regardless if they don’t qualify through the solo qualifying round or the two Duel races. This means that the race field might have an additional spot to accommodate him.

If he qualifies, it means that one of the presently valid entries must be left out, and since there are another five contenders on the brink of confirmation, MBM Motorsports might encounter an even steeper challenge.

Without Carl Long’s team showing much competition, Wallace’s bid for the Daytona 500 would be quite tough. No matter who fills his role, it seems unlikely that the team will qualify for one of the top two positions during the individual time trials. Consequently, their driver is most likely to compete in a qualifying race called a Duel race instead.

1. The qualifying round for a single car at the Daytona 500 is set for Wednesday, February 12. The Bluegreen Vacations Duel races will happen on Thursday, February 13, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET and airing on Fox. Lastly, the 67th edition of the “Great American Race” (Daytona 500) is slated for Sunday, February 16, also at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox.

Read More

2025-01-14 16:32

Previous post New Love Island All Stars bombshell revealed as he enters villa for the THIRD time and has ‘all guns blazing’ for one girl amid huge feud
Next post Boyzone documentary first look: Louis Walsh’s shocking reaction to Stephen Gately’s coming out is revealed as Ronan Keating breaks down in tears