NASCAR: 65-year-old veteran set for first Daytona 500 in 10 years

As a long-time NASCAR fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as Mike Wallace aims for his first Daytona 500 in a decade! Having grown up watching the elder Wallace brothers race, I have always been captivated by their skills and determination on the track.

I remember vividly when Mike made his debut during the Generation 3 era back in 1991, and I’ve followed his career ever since. It’s incredible to see him attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500 again after a six-year hiatus from Cup Series racing.

The fact that he has made 11 Daytona 500 starts and has a top finish of fourth place at Phoenix Raceway in 2007 speaks volumes about his talent and dedication to the sport. I’m rooting for him to qualify for this year’s race, not just because he’s a Wallace, but because he deserves another chance to compete against the best drivers in the world on one of the most iconic tracks in NASCAR.

If he qualifies and manages to compete in the 67th annual Daytona 500, he will become the first driver to compete in five different generations of Cup Series car, which is an impressive feat!

I can’t wait for the single-car qualifying session on Wednesday, February 12, and the Bluegreen Vacations Duel races on Thursday, February 13. I’ll be glued to my TV screen, cheering Mike Wallace on as he takes on Daytona International Speedway once again!

Oh, and if he qualifies for the race, can you imagine the post-race interview with Mike? “What a day at Daytona! I can’t believe it’s been ten years since my last start in the 500. I couldn’t have done it without my team and the support of my fans. And to all the young racers out there, never give up on your dreams!” Classic Mike Wallace humor! Go Wallace, go!

MBM Motorsports has announced their intentions to strive for participation in the 67th Daytona 500, marking the beginning of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season at Daytona International Speedway next month. The team last raced in this event back in 2020; however, they made an effort to qualify for it during both 2021 and 2022 as well.

It’s been confirmed that Mike Wallace, who last raced in a Cup Series since 2015, is planning to qualify car number 66 for the upcoming 200-lap race at the Daytona Beach, Florida oval track. This track has four turns and spans 2.5 miles (4.023 kilometers), with high banks.

Since the No. 66 Ford is an unchartered (open) entry, Wallace needs to secure a spot in the race through either his speed during the individual qualifying session or by performing well in one of the two Bluegreen Vacations Duel races. As the 36 chartered cars are already guaranteed a place in the 40-car field, there are four open positions up for grabs.

Mike Wallace aiming for first Daytona 500 in a decade

Mike Wallace, the brother of Rusty Wallace (the elder) and Kenny Wallace (the younger), has competed in the Daytona 500 on 11 occasions, achieving his best result in 2007 at Phoenix Raceway with a fourth-place finish. He first attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Moroso Racing in 1992 and made his debut start with Donlavey Racing in 1995.

Since his last participation in the Daytona 500 back in 2015, racing for Premium Motorsports, he hasn’t taken part in any Cup Series race. After that, he didn’t make it past qualifying for two additional races that year and chose to step away from a third.

Since 2015, I’ve been stepping up to the NASCAR national series racetrack, competing in a total of three races so far. Last year, I had the honor to race for JD Motorsports in their Xfinity Series, running in three events.

If Wallace manages to qualify for this year’s Daytona 500, he will be the first driver to race in five distinct eras of the Cup Series vehicle, having started during the Generation 3 period way back in 1991.

This year’s Daytona 500, marking its 67th edition, will be broadcast live on Fox, starting at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, the 16th of February, directly from the Daytona International Speedway. The qualifying round for individual cars is planned for Wednesday, the 12th of February, and the Bluegreen Vacations Duel races are slated for Thursday, the 13th of February.

2025-01-03 17:02

GK Barry’s girlfriend Ella Rutherford says it was ‘hell’ while presenter was away on I’m A Celeb as she addresses THAT ‘awkward’ bridge kiss