Catchfence

Race introduces Fishburne Military School to NASCAR racing on No. 01 JD Motorsports Chevrolet

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2009) – Not many drivers can claim a single Daytona International Speedway victory throughout their racing careers. Mike Wallace has done it three times – in three separate divisions.

Winning the 1994 ARCA race gave a hint of things to come for Wallace at DIS. His second Daytona win in the 2000 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race reminded everyone he could win at Daytona. The exciting, last-lap-pass finish of the 2004 NASCAR Nationwide Series race put Wallace into Victory Lane solidifying his Daytona prowess.

This weekend, the middle Wallace brother between Rusty and Kenny is going for a fourth win at the 2.5-mile trioval. But, a larger challenge lies in the fact he must qualify on time in the No. 01 Fishburne Military School Chevrolet fielded by JD Motorsports with Ricky Viers as crew chief.

Why so good at Daytona: “People ask me that all the time and I just simply say it’s because there isn’t anything at Daytona I don’t like. You hear drivers talk about how they don’t like certain things at certain tracks. I just simply don’t dislike anything about racing at Daytona. Nothing bothers me at this track and I think it helps me run well because of that factor.”

Thoughts on drafting: “I can confidently tell anyone who asks that I understand drafting. You have to have the ability to look ahead of where your car is on the track. You have to watch the car in front of you, but you have to be able to see which lines are moving where on the track so you can put yourself in position to make something happen.

“For every action; there is a reaction. You just have to decide which side of the fence you want to be on when the action and reaction starts.”

Having to qualify on time: “That always poses a challenge you don’t want to endure and extra pressure you don’t want, either. But, that’s the way it is right now and I know Johnny Davis and the entire JD Motorsports team has put forth a great effort to get our No. 01 Fishburne Military School Chevrolet ready for this race.

“Ricky Viers brings a lot of experience to this team as our crew chief having been with Richard Childress Racing and most recently Red Bull Racing. I know he can help get our car in the show and enable us to race competitively out there. We have as good a shot as anyone.

Bringing the Fishburne Military School on board:  “That was pretty neat how we were able to get them involved. I am friends with one of their board members and we got to talking about how they could get involved in racing awhile ago. When this opportunity came up, we talked and then he talked with their board and we all agreed this would be a great deal.

“I know they are excited about it and are involving the entire school, the alumni and publishing articles in their paper and newsletters about them being involved in racing. It’s just as exciting for them as it is for us. I’m just hoping we can do them proudly and represent them well on the track. Heck, why not go out there and shock the world with a win – its Daytona baby!”

Car Facts: Previously qualified 10^th at Talladega and 24^th for Daytona July race in 2008

Mike Wallace at Daytona: 18 NNS starts with one win, two top-fives and four top-10s.

Did you know: Mike’s son, Matt, is competing in the Legends Winternationals at Orlando Speed World during Speedweeks. His big sister, Chrissy, is trading her driving hat for a crew one helping out while dad runs a Cup and Nationwide car at Daytona.

Wallace on the airwaves: You can catch Mike twice on Tuesday, Feb. 10. First on ESPN2 at 5:40 p.m. (ET) and MRN/Sirius NASCAR Radio at 7:40 p.m.

TV/Radio times: Qualifying takes place at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 on ESPN2 with race action starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 with all 120 laps on ESPN2 and MRN/Sirius NASCAR Radio.

Packman Public Relations, Press Release