Catchfence

CONCORD, N.C. (May 2, 2011) – Kenny Wallace narrowly missed earning his first top-five finish of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season in Friday night’s Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway after a late race miscommunication resulted in a penalty for pitting too early in the No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota. A three-time NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) winner at the famed Virginia short-track, Wallace and the RAB Racing with Brack Maggard team took the 13th position after running in the top-five for the majority of the 250-lap event.

Returning to one of his favorite tracks on the NASCAR circuit, Wallace had a good feeling about the weekend and about the solid performances he has been having with his RAB Racing team. Wallace, posted speeds quick enough for ninth during the only scheduled NNS practice session Friday morning. When qualifying concluded Friday afternoon, Wallace climbed two spots to seventh on the speed charts to earn his best starting position of the 2011 season.

Sporting the black and green American Ethanol paint scheme for the second time this season, Wallace and the RAB Racing team improved five positions over the opening 60 laps to the second position. By lap 150, Wallace had dropped back to the sixth position after the race saw a stretch of green flag racing. With 50 laps remaining in the race and only one caution, pit strategy and fuel mileage became focal points for the RAB Racing team.

When the second caution of the night came out in the final five laps, Wallace was scored one lap down in the sixth position. Choosing to pit to for tires, the team brought the No. 09 Toyota down pit road with the lap leaders instead of with the lap-down cars. The pit road miscommunication ultimately resulted in a penalty for the No. 09, which forced Wallace to drop to the tail-end of the cars also one lap down. Wallace restarted with two laps to go, taking the 13th position and earning the team its fifth top-15 finish in nine events.

From one southern track to the next, Wallace and the RAB Racing team will attempt to tame another tough track as the Nationwide Series travels south for the Royal Purple 200 at Darlington Raceway. Live Nationwide Series coverage begins Friday, May 6th, at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN2.

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Growth Energy:

Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at www.growthenergy.com.

About National Corn Growers Association:

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents 35,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn check off programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and check off organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry. For more information, visit www.ncga.com.

- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release