Wauters Motorsports LLC.

Wauters’ career began at tracks around his hometown Green Bay, Wis. and quickly moved into the NASCAR Touring Series. Wauters crewed successful NASCAR Sprint Cup teams with drivers Kenny Wallace, Elliott Sadler, Robert Pressley and Jeff Green.

Wauters, in his tenure as a crew chief in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, led teams to 18 victories from 2004-2010 with drivers Shane Hmiel, Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola.

“It is something I thought about for awhile,” Richie Wauters said of his decision to become a team owner. “I had the opportunity to buy some trucks and have a great driver headlining the team. It hasn’t been a difficult transition so far and we are really excited about the season. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is very competitive and I’m certain Paulie and the guys on this team will be right in the thick of that competition.”

Paulie Harraka

Harraka is finishing up his final semester at Duke University, and his graduation will make him part of a very small group of NASCAR drivers with their college degrees. Harraka has focused his education on “anything that can help me in racing; engineering, leadership, finance, you name it. I’ve challenged myself at Duke to become a completely differentiated NASCAR driver.” Harraka said.

“Having the opportunity to jump into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is an opportunity I’ve worked for since I was 7 years old,” Harraka said. “I am fortunate to see it coming to fruition. To be doing so with a championship crew chief like Richie Wauters and with the team he’s assembled is exciting. I’m the kind of driver that will put in whatever time, effort or work that is needed to win races, and I know that Richie is the same kind of crew chief. Together, we’ll hold nothing back, and that makes me confident that we’ll find the winner’s circle in short order.”

The Wauters Motorsports F150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be utilizing Doug Yates and Roush Racing Engines in their debut at Daytona International Speedway for the running of the NEXTERA Energy Resources 250, Friday, Feb. 24th.

- Wauters Motorsports Press Release

American Ethanol

Austin Dillon, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will drive the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet during the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season with American Ethanol serving as the primary sponsor for six races as well as one race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012. Dillon’s No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet paint scheme was unveiled at the event.

“I’m proud to carry the American Ethanol colors in NASCAR,” said Dillon. “Growth Energy is committed to clean air, and as an avid outdoorsman I truly appreciate their desire to protect our nation’s air and water for future generations. I commend the work they do and I am looking forward to representing American Ethanol, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association.”

In addition to American Ethanol’s partnership with Dillon, the organization will serve as an associate sponsor with the entire RCR family of drivers. Team owner Richard Childress as well as RCR’s Sprint Cup Series veterans Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard will also serve as spokesmen for the cause.

Kenny Wallace, who notched 11 top-ten finishes last year, will drive the No. 09 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for RAB Racing. American Ethanol will partner with Wallace for the Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500, as well as five races in the Nationwide Series.

“I’m honored to represent American Ethanol. I not only talk about American Ethanol, I truly believe in it. I’ve been to the farms, I’ve met the families, I’ve been to the plants, and I’ve been in the hallways of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., in support of it. I believe it is our job to cut down on dependency of foreign oil, and American Ethanol is a major part of that,” Wallace said.

“American Ethanol is in this for the long haul. Through our partnerships with Austin Dillon and Kenny Wallace, we are telling NASCAR and its fans that American Ethanol is committed to the sport,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, which led the effort to create American Ethanol. “These drivers are ideal ambassadors for the American Ethanol team and will help tell the story of how American-made ethanol creates jobs, cleans our air and fosters energy independence.”

“American Ethanol is getting a lot of positive attention because it’s a good fit for NASCAR’s green initiative, and because of the increased horsepower on the track,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer. “Our partnership with RCR and RAB Racing will assure continued success in letting the American public know that if ethanol can stand the stress these drivers put it through, it’s good for the family car, too.”

The American Ethanol partnership was established with the goal of increasing awareness of ethanol’s renewable, clean-burning, high-octane abilities as a fuel. One initiative included the release last September of a white paper detailing NASCAR’s use of E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) in more than a million miles of racing, qualifying and practice laps – proving that E15 can withstand the test of America’s toughest proving ground.

Ethanol is the most commercially-viable alternative that America currently has to offset the economic impact of foreign petroleum. Corn ethanol reduces emissions by 59 percent, and cellulosic ethanol is at least 86 percent cleaner. And by strengthening America’s energy independence, ethanol helps create American jobs; studies have shown that for every $1 sent overseas for oil, $1.55 leaves the U.S. economy.

Growth Energy, a coalition of American ethanol supporters, filed the petition to the federal government, called the Green Jobs Waiver, to increase the allowable blend of ethanol in fuel from 10 percent to 15 percent, or E15. In 2010, NASCAR embraced the desire for greener, American-job-producing fuels when it announced its decision to move to Sunoco Green E15 for NASCAR’s three national series.

Representing a wide array of ethanol supporters, from farmers to bio-engineering firms, American Ethanol was established by Growth Energy in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association and others. By establishing a marketing partnership with NASCAR starting with the 2011 racing season, the same year that NASCAR switched its fuel to Sunoco Green E15, American Ethanol aims to educate and inform the broader American public about the benefits of U.S.-made ethanol.

About Growth Energy

Growth Energy represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being and create a healthier environment for all Americans now. More information can be found at www.growthenergy.org.

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 checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry. For more information, visit http://www.ncga.com.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its current Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Elliott Sadler (No. 2 One Main Financial Chevrolet), 2011 Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Advocare/American Ethanol/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Kevin Harvick/Brendan Gaughan/Paul Menard (No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino/Menards/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Armour/Fast Fixin’/ Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. and Brendan Gaughan (No. 2 Potomac Family Dining Group/South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet), Joey Coulter (No. 22 RCR/Armour Chevrolet) and 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion Ty Dillon (No.3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) will compete in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season.

About RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Founded in 2005, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard is a Concord, North Carolina-based auto racing team that fields entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2012 lineup includes Kenny Wallace in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series and John Wes Townley in the Camping World Truck Series. For more information on RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, please call 704-788-7811, visit www.teamrab.com. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings by liking the team on Facebook (RAB Racing) and by following the team on Twitter (@RAB_Racing).

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

Kenny Wallace - Photo Credit: Tom Pennington / Getty Images for NASCAR

CONCORD, N.C. (January 21, 2012) -

“Corn farmers are excited to continue our relationship with RAB Racing and Kenny Wallace in 2012,” said Garry Niemeyer, National Corn Growers Association president. “Kenny is a fan favorite and one of the most visible drivers in the sport. He has been an outspoken supporter of ethanol and Sunoco Green E15. He comes from the Midwest, so he truly appreciates the important role corn farmers play in providing consumers with a fuel that is made in America and provides jobs here at home.”

“American Ethanol is excited to enter the racing season with Kenny Wallace behind the wheel as a spokesman for our industry,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “He has a great connection with the fans and he can help tell the story of how using ethanol in our fuel creates jobs, fosters energy security and cleans the air.”

With Wallace behind the wheel of their NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyota in 2011, the No. 09 team finished seventh in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship standings, a career-best for the Concord, N.C.-based team, after posting 11 top-10 finishes.

“I find myself and our team in a position I certainly did not anticipate, announcing that we are going to attempt to make our Sprint Cup Series debut in the 2012 Daytona 500,” said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. “Obviously this is where any team in NASCAR sets their goals, but for a team that’s as young as ours to have the opportunity to take the next step is very humbling, and to be doing so with Kenny Wallace makes it that much more meaningful. This will be the greatest challenge we’ve faced as a team to this point, but we’re ready for it. It’ll be interesting to see how things unfold and if we’re fortunate enough to earn a starting spot, it’ll be the culmination of a great deal of dedication and effort by everyone who has ever been a part of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard.”

Wallace will attempt to make his 11th Daytona 500 start. His last start in the Great American Race came in 2008, when he raced his way into the starting lineup via an eighth-place finish in the first Gatorade Duel.

“The Daytona 500 is the race I grew up watching every year as a kid in St. Louis. It’s a very important race to me,” said Wallace. “I take this opportunity very seriously. I want to thank everyone at RAB Racing for working so hard in preparing this American Ethanol Toyota Camry. Earning a starting spot in this year’s Daytona 500 would be a dream come true, not only for myself, but for Robby and everyone else that’s worked so hard to make this a reality. Speedweeks is my favorite time of the year, and I can’t wait to get down there in just another couple of weeks.”

The crew chief for the No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry will be announced at a later date.

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 checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry. For more information, visit http://www.ncga.com

About American Ethanol
American Ethanol, led by Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association, is a unique partnership representing more than 100 different entities from farmers and ethanol producers to biotech companies. American Ethanol entered into a multi-year agreement with NASCAR in 2011 to introduce a cleaner-burning fuel to America. E15 fuels like Sunoco Green E15, unleaded gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, will support jobs in America’s heartland.

About RAB Racing with Brack Maggard
Founded in 2005, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard is a Concord, North Carolina-based auto racing team that fields entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2012 lineup includes Kenny Wallace in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series (No. 09 Toyota Camry). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes John Townley (No. 09 Toyota Tundra). For more information on RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, please call 704-788-7811, visit www.teamrab.com. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings by liking the team on Facebook (RAB Racing) and by following the team on Twitter (@RAB_Racing).

Source: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, Press Release

RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Logo

Rice, a South Boston, Va., native, has been with RAB Racing since July 2011, working as Director of Special Projects.

“I’m looking forward to working with John Wes Townley in 2012,” said Rice. “With the aid of our Nationwide Series program and Toyota support, it is going to be a great season. I want to thank RAB Racing for providing us with the opportunity to compete for the Rookie of the Year title in the Camping World Truck Series. It has been exciting to see this team expand and I hope to bolster these efforts moving forward.”

Rice, a former race-winning crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has experience atop the pit box in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions since 2003. In his most recent stint serving as crew chief for a Camping World Truck Series team, Rice garnered one top-five and two top-10s in 15 starts with driver Shelby Howard in 2008.

“Chris played an integral role with our Nationwide Series team last year and assisted Scott Zipadelli on numerous projects,” said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing. “When the Camping World Truck Series opportunity came about, he was the natural fit for both our team and for driver John Wes Townley. Chris and John Wes worked together for a few events in 2009 when he was driving our Nationwide Series entry and then reconnected with him several weeks ago as crew chief for a NASCAR regional series event at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Chris brings along a wealth of experience and knowledge and I look forward to growing our Truck program around him.”

About RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Founded in 2005, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard is a Concord, North Carolina-based auto racing team that fields entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2012 lineup includes Kenny Wallace in the Nationwide Series, and John Wes Townley in the Camping World Truck Series. For more information on RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, please call 704-788-7811, visit www.teamrab.com. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings by liking the team on Facebook (RAB Racing) and by following the team on Twitter (@RAB_Racing).

- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release

RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Logo

Townley, 22, has made seven starts in the Camping World Truck Series, most recently at Phoenix International Raceway in November, 2008.

Townley will join teammate Kenny Wallace, driver of the No. 09 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“I’m looking forward to this year,” Townley said. “It’s good to be racing in the Camping World Truck Series again, and doing it with RAB Racing makes it that much better.”

While the season-opening event will mark Townley’s first laps at Daytona International Speedway in Camping World Truck Series competition, he is no stranger to the World Center of Racing. In three ARCA Racing Series starts, the Watkinsville, Ga., native has two top-five finishes, including a career-best finish of third in February, 2010.

“I’m looking forward to expanding our operation and racing in the Camping World Truck Series,” said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing. “We’ll have a presence in two NASCAR garage areas this year, and I’m happy to be adding another strong Toyota entry. We started our current Nationwide Series program with John Wes, and we’re happy to be starting our Truck Series presence with him, as well.”

Townley will be backed by new sponsors for the 2012 season, as well as current sponsors of RAB Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series program.

The 22-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule kicks off on February 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., and concludes November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

A crew chief for the team will be named at a later date.

About RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Founded in 2005, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard is a Concord, North Carolina-based auto racing team that fields entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2012 lineup includes Kenny Wallace in the Nationwide Series, and John Wes Townley in the Camping World Truck Series. For more information on RAB Racing with Brack Maggard, please call 704-788-7811, visit www.teamrab.com. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings by liking the team on Facebook (RAB Racing) and by following the team on Twitter (@RAB_Racing).

- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release

JD Motorsports

The first is; – Daytona is coming up really fast, and they’re going to be there. The second is; they’re not sure who is going to be on their car as marketing partners all year.

So, the search for sponsorship is in full swing with Wallace and JD Motorsports to make them more competitive for the NNS schedule. G&K Services is going to be part of the team, just as they were last year.

“We know who some of our partners are going to be this year,” said Wallace. “We just don’t know what capacity they are going to be on the No. 01 Chevrolet. We appreciate everyone who becomes one of our partners.

“Like everyone else, we’re looking to add to our partnerships to help be the best we can at the track each week. We have a great team of people and know we can get the job done. We just need those solid partnerships to get us to that point.”

With 416 starts in the Nationwide Series, Wallace has shown he’s capable of getting the job done. With four trips to Victory Lane and 63 top-10s to his credit, he and the JD Motorsports team backed that up with a pretty good 2011 season.

With 18 top-20 finishes in 34 starts last year, they had a best finish of fifth at Road America. They were consistent qualifiers and come into the 2012 season after Wallace finished 13th in the Driver’s Standings.

Daughter Chrissy searching for place to put here talents

It’s rare when a father-daughter duo is race car drivers. What’s even odder is when they are both searching for help for a solid season.

Chrissy, 23, is coming off a historic year as the only female driver to win the ASA West Regional Championship and an ASA Track Champion, which she did through her efforts at Lebanon (MO) I-44 Speedway. With success like that, it only makes sense the third-generation driver seeks to move up the racing ladder into the NASCAR ranks.

She’s no stranger to NASCAR racing having made NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series starts in the past. Now, she’s ready to show she can be just as competitive in those ranks as she was in ASA competition. Wallace started the ARCA Series finale at Toledo (OH) Speedway in October and has talked to some teams in that series, as well

“Everyone I talked to on NASCAR teams said to go show I could be a winner,” Chrissy said. “So, I went Late Model racing proved I could win and be a champion. I learned so much about car control, tire management and how to become a better driver last year.

“Now, I’m just looking to put all I learned to use with a NASCAR Truck, Nationwide or an ARCA team. Keeping this momentum going would benefit all of involved with my racing.”

This past Saturday night, January 7, the Wallace racing brothers of Rusty, Mike and Kenny were inducted into the Ozark Area Racers Hall of Fame in Springfield, MO. Kenny and Mike were on hand to receive the induction. Father Russ Wallace was previously inducted in 2004.

- JD Motorsports Press Release

Justin Allgaier

“Our NASCAR program has grown significantly over the years, and because of the strong support our racing program receives from our customers and vendors each year, it was a no-brainer to make it 19 straight seasons of such activity in 2012,” said Steve Cook, Northeastern Supply’s President and CEO.

During the company’s nearly two decades of NASCAR programming, Northeastern Supply has grown from a business with six branches in two Middle Atlantic States to one operating 32 branches and distribution centers conducting business in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC.

“The associate support we have given so many NASCAR teams in the Nationwide Division over the years has been an interesting journey for our company, and because of how they do business and treat their sponsors, it was an easy decision for us to remain with Turner Motorsports for another season,” Cook explained.

“We enjoyed three good seasons backing the efforts of the Great Clips team and drivers Jason Leffler and Kasey Kahne. Now we’ve decided to move over to Justin Allgaier and the #31 Brandt Farm Equipment Chevrolet team in 2012 in hopes of helping them challenge for the championship,” Cook added.

Allgaier is the 25-year-old Riverton, IL driver who in his last two Nationwide Series campaigns has posted two victories and finished fourth and third, respectively, in the 2010 and 2011 driver championship competition. Allgaier’s 2010 effort came while driving a Dodge for Penske Racing before moving over to a Chevrolet at Turner Motorsports last season in which he recorded six top five and 17 top ten finishes in beating everyone in points except for champ Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and runner-up Elliott Sadler.

Nicknamed “Little Gator” at a young age because of his small size and ferociousness behind the wheel, Allgaier began developing his talents driving quarter midgets and by the time he was 12 had already earned more than 100 feature wins and five championships.

Allgaier steadily progressed up the competition ladder, moving to Late Models at age 13. In 2001, at just 14 years of age, Allgaier made national headlines when he became the youngest driver to ever qualify for the ‘A’ Main in the famed Chili Bowl indoor midget event in Tulsa, OK. That performance enabled Justin to earn a shot to race full bodied stock cars two years later when he debuted in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with a team part-owned by former NASCAR star Ken Schrader. In three starts in this high-level competition that season, Allgaier earned a best finish of 11th and the experience served as a springboard to a full-time ARCA effort in 2006.

In 2007, after returning to the Chili Bowl and earning a third place finish in the ‘A’ Main behind now 3-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and veteran J.J. Yeley, Allgaier ran all 23 ARCA races and finished fourth in driver points after winning once, posting four top five and 11 top ten finishes. He also found time that year to win five UMP Late Model Series and three midget races, displaying ability to successfully drive pretty much anything on four wheels.

Allgaier raced 21 times in 2008 in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, and at the age of 22 captured the overall championship with a 6-win, 14 top-five and 16 top-ten campaign that directly propelled him to NASCAR and a driver development contract with Penske Racing. He made his Nationwide Series debut for Penske that same year before competing full-time in the country’s second top stock car circuit in 2009.

In 35 starts that season, Allgaier recorded three top five and 12 top ten finishes en-route to a 6th place finish in driver points. Only a lack of sponsorship dollars kept Allgaier from continuing with the Penske organization beyond the 2010 season when Justin had a breakout year that included his first Nationwide Series victory, two poles, an average 11th place finish and a 4th place effort in driver points. Penske Racing’s loss is obviously Turner Motorsports’ gain and now to the benefit of Justin’s newest sponsor, Northeastern Supply.

Allgaier will be the lone Turner Motorsports driver to carry the Northeastern Supply flag in 2012 that will feature the hard-charging chauffeur in various Northeastern Supply promotions conducted throughout the season. Heading these promotions will be a variety of customer-driven events to be held in conjunction with each of the two NASCAR race weekends at the Dover (DE) International Speedway, Northeastern Supply’s “home” race track.

“We’re excited to have Northeastern Supply back in the Turner Motorsports family next year,” Allgaier stated. “The upcoming season will be Northeastern’s 19th consecutive in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition and fourth straight with Turner Motorsports. I know they have several big events scheduled throughout the year and I’m honored to have the chance to be included and play a more integral part in them.”

Allgaier is the latest top name to be added to the impressive list of drivers who have been sponsored by Northeastern Supply over the years. That list includes Leffler, Kahne, Yeley, Mike and Kenny Wallace, Jason Keller, Phil Parsons, Sterling Marlin, Hank Parker, Jr. and Kevin Lepage.

- On Track Marketing, Inc. Press Release

NASCAR Nationwide Series Logo

Bounty Of Unique Stories Flavor NASCAR Nationwide Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2011) – Remember standing at the ice cream counter as a kid? So many great flavors to choose from that sometimes you gave in to a double or triple scoop? That’s the way the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season ended up – so many great stories were told.

From the “pick-a-series” rule that gave driver championship contenders an opportunity to truly chase a championship, to the first full year of competition for the new car, to new stars and veterans alike taking center stage, this past season was one that made its own headlines.

There certainly were some outstanding performances that took place during the recently completed 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. The following is a look back at some of those standout performers and memorable races, as selected from discussions with the national series directors, competition department and NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications managers. Additionally, click on the following links for special audio, video and photo packages commemorating the 2011 season.

Top Driver

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Redemption may be an over-used word in athletic achievement, but there’s no better way to describe Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s recovery from infamy to the fame of winning the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series driver championship.

The story is worth repeating. Stenhouse, 24, barely made it through a 2010 season in which he filled Roush Fenway Racing’s shop with the remains of numerous Ford race cars. Relieved of his driving duties at one point in 2010 by owner Jack Roush, Stenhouse’s NASCAR career hung by the thinnest of threads. But the native of Olive Branch, Miss., listened – and learned – from the experience. He rebounded to claim Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, in the process erasing the largest deficit in series history.

Stenhouse kept that momentum in 2011, winning two races, three Coors Light Pole Awards and piling up 16 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. Stenhouse earned his first NASCAR national series win – and a reputation for never backing down – at Iowa Speedway in May, coming out on top of a door-to-door battle with his teammate Carl Edwards. His signature moment came three months later, also at Iowa, when he won despite a last-lap engine failure as Edwards rammed into Stenhouse’s rear, blasting him across the finish line.

Elliott Sadler (Honorable Mention) – His first full NASCAR Nationwide Series season since 1998 didn’t exactly get off to the rousing start Elliott Sadler had hoped for. He finished 38th at Daytona and left Speedweeks ranked 27th with just six points to his credit.

But the NASCAR veteran recovered, climbing to the points lead twice and challenging Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in what effectively was a two-man race throughout the last half of 2011. Sadler was a victim of an untimely wreck in the seasons’ penultimate race at Phoenix, costing him a real opportunity to take the title chase versus Stenhouse down to the season finale at Homestead-Miami. Still, his return to the series was a hit with the fans, who voted Sadler as the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ Most Popular Driver in an online poll on NASCAR.COM.

Comeback Driver of the Year

Reed Sorenson – Reed Sorenson led the points standings three times in the season’s first 20 races, took home the coveted Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle trophy after winning a wild race at Road America and collected a cool $200,000 as highest finisher among eligible drivers in two of the first four NASCAR Nationwide Series “Dash 4 Cash” races. That was the high.

He was involved in an accident with his Turner Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier, resulting in a 32nd-place finish at Atlanta. He fell to 40 points behind the leader with eight races left, effectively ending his championship hopes. Then following the race at Dover, he was released by Turner. He was still third in the standings, but without a ride to keep that status. That was the low.

Despite a seemingly insurmountable task, he was able to work out a season-ending deal with MacDonald Motorsports. His finishes, although not what he had been accustomed to, were consistent enough to lock him into fifth place in the final championship standings.

Kenny Wallace (Honorable Mention) – Driving for an independent team – RAB Racing – and, by his own decision, without a paycheck – Kenny Wallace spearheaded one of the most unsung comebacks of 2011. In the process, he cemented himself in the record books by becoming the all-time starts leader in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Following the 2010 season, Wallace underwent a personal reinvention. He lost weight, got fit and rediscovered his “inner race-car driver” with his move to RAB. In addition to overtaking Jason Keller as the series’ starts leader – and becoming just the second driver in series history to surpass 500 starts – Wallace partied like it was 2005 registering or matching the following bests, all since that season: his first top-five finish, 11 top 10s and a seventh-place final championship ranking.

Top Team

RAB Racing with Brack Maggard – Before becoming the primary face of RAB Racing, Robby Benton, 32, got started in NASCAR doing summer jobs in Robert Yates’ shop before serving on Davey Allison’s crew. He still displays a pair of Allison’s racing gloves on his office wall.

Before this season Kenny Wallace, 48, had produced solid numbers in a NASCAR career that totaled over 800 starts among its three national series. But he felt as though he was running out of time to continue to prove himself on the track.

The two joined forces in 2011, providing proof for one another that they could compete – and how. Benton’s RAB Racing team finished 14th in the final 2011 owner standings, the highest among single-car independent teams in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Its turnaround can be traced back to 2010, when Boris Said edged Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Max Papis at the finish line in Montreal, giving Said his first NASCAR Nationwide Series win while rewarding Benton and RAB with the organization’s first victory. More importantly, RAB learned it belonged.

This year, Wallace brought with him a renewed energy. He helped lead the fourth-year organization into uncharted territory, where it thrived. In addition to RAB finishing tops among one-car independents in the owner rankings with an average finish of 15th, Wallace was seventh in the final driver standings, collecting one top five and 11 top 10s. Since 2008, the team’s only previous top-five/top-10 finish was Said’s victory.

Roush Fenway Racing (Honorable Mention) – It took a while – four years to be exact – but Carl Edwards tenaciously ran down the three-time defending champion Joe Gibbs Racing to give Roush Fenway Racing its second NASCAR Nationwide Series owner championship. Edwards won the 2007 driver championship, a season in which Richard Childress Racing was the owner champion.

With Ricky Stenhouse Jr. winning the 2011 driver championship, this year marked the first time that the same owner claimed both the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver and owner titles with different teams.

JGR’s No. 18 Toyota, helmed mostly by 2009 series champion Kyle Busch, appeared unbeatable in the early going, winning five of the season’s first 10 races. But Edwards and Roush Fenway’s No. 60 Ford team, backed by veteran crew chief Mike Beam, kept chipping away at the deficit. He closed on his rival in September and kept up the pressure through the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Edwards competed in 34 of the season’s 34 races. GRAND-AM Road Racing veteran Billy Johnson drove the No. 60 at Road America and was headed for a top-five finish before being struck down by mechanical problems.

Top Breakthrough Performer

Timmy Hill – Winning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in one of the most hotly-contested battles in series history is a testament to the resilience of Timmy Hill and his Rick Ware Racing team.

To begin the climb, Hill didn’t race in the season-opener at Daytona. He wasn’t yet 18. Twice during the season, RWR tragically lost a member of its team. Then, just one week after Hill had been honored at the season-ending banquet as the series’ top rookie, another member of the RWR organization unexpectedly passed away.

But through it all, Hill managed to grow in the moment. He battled fellow rookies Blake Koch and Ryan Truex from the moment the trio began racing against each other at Phoenix in February. His main competition turned out to be Koch, as Truex wasn’t able to secure a ride for the season finale, losing his rookie standings lead in the process.

Hill’s best result was 11th at Road America. He also posted finishes inside the top 20 at Talladega, Chicaogland, Richmond and Darlington. His Chicago result came three days before his high school graduation. He and Koch, who became good friends throughout the battle, finished just one position apart six times. The rookie award came down to the final race where the driver who finished in the best position between the two would claim the honor. Koch finished 23rd. Hill was 21st.

Hill is now the youngest rookie award-winner in NASCAR’s three national series.

Blake Koch (Honorable Mention) – Koch didn’t race at Daytona to open the season. He also wasn’t entered at Las Vegas. But with full sponsorship and a fresh, upbeat attitude in addition to solid skills, Koch’s season with MacDonald Motorsports truly began at Auto Club Speedway and showed improvement throughout. He drew close to Timmy Hill for the rookie honor at the season’s quarter pole and even took a slim lead late, thanks in part to a five-race string of finishes that bested Hill, including matching his career-best finish of 14th at Phoenix. But the string broke at Homestead, the worst time for Koch’s award aspirations.

Top Race

NAPA Auto Parts 200, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – Marcos Ambrose, the class of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Montreal field, every year had continuously failed to bring home a victory for various reasons. He vowed to return to this event until he won. His chances this year again looked slim after having to start at the rear for missing qualifying while traveling from his NASCAR Sprint Cup duties in Michigan – which took him from a plane to a helicopter to a boat to finally get to his spot on the starting grid – just before the race.

He also had to deal with the hometown favorites: Jacques Villeneuve (the polesitter), Patrick Carpentier (making his last start before retiring) and Alex Tagliani (also started on the front row).

Villeneuve led 29 of the first 44 laps but his chances went away when he and Ambrose tangled in Turn 1 after a restart with 26 laps remaining. Ambrose powered through the mishap and kept pushing through the field, finally taking the lead from Tagliani on Lap 65. This time he held on around the final turn to take an improbable victory.

The excitement continued after the race when Carpentier’s frustrated crew chief Jerry Baxter grabbed Steve Wallace by the hair while Wallace was still in his car. Baxter’s pit road rage was in response to Wallace spinning out the local hero on Lap 56, ruining Carpentier’s final race.

U.S. Cellular 250, Iowa Speedway (Honorable Mention) – In its short NASCAR Nationwide Series history, Iowa Speedway is quickly becoming a track where the outcome can be counted on as one to remember.

Both races at the .875-mile track this season were sellouts (as have all series races there); both were thrillers and both had the same winner – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – and the same protagonist – Carl Edwards.

But the August race resulted in one of this year’s top moments.

As he was leading out of Turn 4 on the final lap, Stenhouse’s engine unexpectedly gave way. Edwards, running a distant second but making obvious headway after Stenhouse’s misfortune, had his view blinded by the smoke and oil from Stenhouse’s expiring motor and plowed into the rear of the No. 6 Mustang. That short chain-reaction sent Stenhouse across the finish line first. The victory, and Stenhouse’s championship season, was indeed “Smashing,” as the next day’s headline blared in the Des Moines Register.

- NASCAR, Press Release

Toyota Motorsports Logo

Homestead-Miami Speedway – November 19, 2011

- Denny Hamlin (fifth) was the highest finishing Toyota driver in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

- Camry drivers Brian Scott (ninth) and Joey Logano (10th) also earned top-10 finishes in the 200-lap event.

- Other Toyota drivers in the field included Joe Nemechek (16th), Michael Annett (19th), Kevin Conway (26th), Kenny Wallace (33rd) and Steve Wallace (34th).

- Four Camry drivers finished among the top-10 in the unofficial NNS driver point standings — K. Wallace (seventh), Scott (eighth), Annett (ninth), and S. Wallace (10th).

- Camry drivers earned 10 wins and five pole positions during the 2011 season. Toyota has recorded 64 victories and 54 poles since joining the series in 2007.

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 18 Z-Line Designs Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 5th

How was your race?

“We struggled with our race car all day long and we had very limited practice time with the rain. Just didn’t have it today. It looked like all of the Roush cars were extremely strong. We just didn’t have the car that could hang with them in the end.”

How happy were you with your pit crew in tonight’s race?

“Yeah, this pit crew gave us a shot at it, no doubt about it. They were just an amazing pit crew. When you can gain us three spots and a clutch position like that, they deserve a lot of credit. They’re the ones who gave us a shot at it anyway.”

How are you feeling going into the Sprint Cup race on Sunday after two races so far this weekend?

“Good. I feel like we’re making strides. We just have got to keep digging. We’re a little off right now. As an organization I feel like we need to be better. Obviously, we’ve got a ways to go, but just have to thank everyone from Z- Line Designs for putting me in the car and obviously this whole 18 team for putting me in. Jim and Monica (Sexton, Z- Line Design owners) have done a lot for this program. FedEx, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Gillette and Wiley X. Couldn’t do it without everyone.”

Did you think you had a chance to beat the 60 car tonight to give Joe Gibbs Racing the owner’s championship?

“Carl (Edwards) had an extremely strong car. It looked like all of their cars were really good today. We just struggled with our Z-Line Designs Toyota. We felt like for the most part we had a fifth to seventh-place car for most of the day. It’s kind of where we ended up. The pit crew did an amazing job at least giving me a shot at it there at the end. We just couldn’t hang on. We just didn’t have the car for it today.”

Were you unhappy with the way your car handled during the race?

“I wish we had some more practice time. We were banking on that second practice. We just didn’t get enough track time with this car this weekend. We struggled. We struggled all day and just could not get the speed out of it that we needed. We ended up fifth.”

BRIAN SCOTT, No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 9th

Are you happy finishing the year with a top-10?

“I’ll take a top-10 to end the year. We fought hard ever since Daytona. We didn’t have the performance or the results that we wanted until about the middle of the year. This team — we flipped the switch. Kevin (Kidd, crew chief) and I really got on the same page and we started having good runs. We were a pretty good team the second half of the year. Definitely performed the last quarter of the year with some top-five finishes, and got a pole at Chicago. We’re going to focus really on the last part of the year and continue to build and do the things that we started doing at the middle of the year that will make us better to come back in 2012 and be even stronger.

I don’t see any reason why this team can’t make the progress through the off-season and come back with the yellow and black Dollar General car and have a team good enough to run for the championship. I feel like Kevin Kidd (crew chief) and I have a relationship that is on really good terms. We’re really communicating well. We’re going to continue to work through the off-season just as hard — if not harder — than we worked all year. Come back and be a really strong team.”

JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 GameStop Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 10th

JOE NEMECHEK, No. 97 AM / FM Energy Pellet & Wood Stoves Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports

Finishing Position: 16th

MICHAEL ANNETT, No. 62 Pilot Flying J Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing

Finishing Position: 19th

How would you look back at the 2011 season?

“Someone asked me the grade that I’d give this season — and I’d probably say a C+ — just because we started off so slow and behind. We made up a lot of ground throughout the summer and fell back behind it, and then made more gains. We know there are places we can make a lot of improvement in our program — mile-and-a-half tracks especially. So, that’s something we’re really going to work on in the off-season and come back on board with Rusty Wallace Racing and the No. 62. Hopefully, some more partners will come on board and help Steven’s (Wallace) car a little bit and that way can have a strong two car effort after the off-season.”

KEVIN CONWAY, No. 87 Extenze Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports

Finishing Position: 25th

KENNY WALLACE, No. 09 Federated Auto Parts Toyota Camry, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Finishing Position: 33rd

STEVE WALLACE, No. 66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing

Finishing Position: 34th

- Toyota Motorsports Press Release

Kenny Wallace

Car: No. 09 Federated Auto Parts Toyota Camry

Race 34 of 34: Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Event Info: Saturday, November 19, 2011, ESPN2 4:30PM EST, MRN 4:00PM EST

Finale at Homestead… On the heels of RAB Racing’s landmark 100th NASCAR Nationwide Series start, the team, with veteran driver Kenny Wallace, will travel south for the series’ finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Fresh off of nine consecutive top-20 finishes, Wallace hopes to validate his comeback season with another impressive run.

History-Making Season… Much was accomplished for Kenny Wallace and RAB Racing with Brack Maggard this season. Wallace made NASCAR Nationwide Series history at Texas Motor Speedway by starting his 520th race, the most of any driver. Wallace rode a hot-streak through the summer finishing no worse than 12th in six consecutive races. A fifth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway qualified Wallace for the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash contest. It was Wallace’s first top-five in over two years.

Keeping Tabs… As the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season draws to a close, Kenny Wallace has become a fixture in the driver point standings top-10. He has posted an impressive 1 Top-5, 11 Top-10’s and 28 Top-20’s throughout the year. Wallace holds steady at seventh for the 22nd consecutive week and RAB Racing continues to occupy 14th position in the NNS owner standings.

Homestead Details…

· Wallace has 18 combined starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series.

· In the Nationwide Series, Wallace has competed in 11 events here, with 78 laps led.

· RAB Racing with Brack Maggard has competed in two NNS events at Homestead-Miami Speedway. RAB Racing recorded its best finish of 18th in November 2011.

Can’t get enough… Subscribe to us on YouTube: http://youtube.com/teamrab09

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- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release

Toyota Motorsports Logo

Phoenix International Raceway – November 12, 2011

- Joey Logano (fourth) was the highest finishing Toyota driver in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Phoenix International Raceway.

- Camry drivers Ryan Truex (eighth) and Michael Annett (10th) also earned top-10 finishes in the 200 lap event.

- Truex was also the highest finishing rookie in the race.

- Other Toyota drivers in the field included Joe Nemechek (12th), Kenny Wallace (17th), Steve Wallace (29th), and Brian Scott (41st).

- Four Camry drivers are among the top-10 in the unofficial NNS driver point standings — K. Wallace (seventh), Annett (eighth), Scott (ninth) and S. Wallace (10th).

- Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18 Camry team currently leads the unofficial NNS owner point standings by one point after 33 of 34 races.

JOEY LOGANO, No. 18 GameStop Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 4th

How was your race car today?

“We had a fast car. We had a pretty good GameStop Toyota. We just didn’t take off during restarts. The first 10 laps we were just junk — and we’d lose all the track position we had — and then we’d get going and be fast. It just took us too long. Once we got going we were all about the same speed too anyway. That’s awesome for Sam (Hornish). He’s a great guy. Awesome to see him win. Much rather have the old GameStop Toyota in victory lane. I felt like I had a car that can do it. Just had to work on our front side speed.”

How much did the track change during the race?

“Not as much as I thought, but it did change some for sure. Actually, the top side over in (turns) three and four actually starting working it self in pretty good. Just hard to figure out what you think the track is going to go in a certain direction — you adjust to it towards that and then it doesn’t do that. Then it’s really just an educated guessing game out there. It just didn’t change as much as I thought it would.”

Did you take advantage of the apron?

“Yeah. That’s a good way to pass cars. It’s really weird though. You go down there and I swear it about knocks your helmet off. It’s such a hard hit when you go down there. It’s such a shorter distance. You can drive right underneath a car doing it that way. It’s kind of weird. I don’t know if they’ll change anything about that to stop us from doing that. That’s one way we were passing cars, for sure. It was really weird.”

Why were drivers using the apron?

“It’s such a shorter distance. It feels like you’re cutting a quarter-mile off the track doing it that way.”

Do you expect to see drivers using the apron Sunday?

“Probably be a little bit harder in a Cup car, but I think people will do it.”

Did you learn anything that will help you Sunday?

“I learned quite a bit. This is one of those races that you’re glad you’re running double duty.”

RYAN TRUEX, No. 20 Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 8th

How was your race?

“It was good. I think we had a better car than where we finished. We started off there and just dropped back a little bit. Our car was too loose at the start of the run. We knew that was going to happen on the green flag. The track was just notin good shape at all. Pretty much everyone on the outside went backwards. We just worked on it and got it pretty good there on the long run, we were just a little too loose on the start of a run to stay up there with those guys. After about five laps we’d get really good, but those five laps we’d lose spots just because we were so free. It was a good day I guess, can’t complain about an eight-place finish with all the wrecked cars we have out here, so I’m happy about it.”

Did you use the dog leg to get around the track?

“Yes, very useful. We weren’t sure about it coming here. You look at it and it looks like there was so much room. If those guys were racing in front of you and you drive way down there, you can just blow by all of them. I don’t know how NASCAR feels about it, but it’s a pretty good way to pass some cars.”

What do you think about your chance to be series ‘Rookie of the Year’ this year?

“I don’t know if this is enough to take the lead or win it or what. I gave it my best and we’ll see what happens.”

How does it feel to be ‘Rookie of the Race’ in your final event of the year?

“I wasn’t worried about it in the race, I knew we had a good car and I knew we had all six races I’ve been in this car. It was a crazy race to say the least. The way you could pass people in the dog leg and drive way down like that was wild. There were a few guys out there that tried to get respect and I guess I have to earn it being a rookie. It was a good race. I think we should have finished better, we probably adjusted out of it a little bit in the end. I had fun and hopefully we can get ‘Rookie of the Year’.

MICHAEL ANNETT, No. 62 Pilot Flying J Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing

Finishing Position: 10th

How was your race?

“Eventful, we didn’t start off with a top-10 car. We were disappointed because we did have holes in practice, so I guess with the sun beating down on the track all day, we just kind of got behind a little bit and were really free for three-quarters of the race and then the last 50 laps we got the car happy enough to where I felt comfortable actually driving it hard. We were smart, we knew the car we had and we knew we couldn’t run up through the field. We let them make their mistakes and we’ll be ready to jump on it and we did and came out of Phoenix with a top-10.”

What did you think of the new track after racing on it?

“It’s pretty crazy. It’s just hard for the spotters to say ‘inside.’ Really, I did more just watching the mirror and trying to see how much track was between myself and the car in the inside because as far as he is inside, but he might be four car lengths down there. If they say ‘three-wide,’ you just really don’t know. I said to my spotter, ‘what they need to do is put a big patch of triangle grass out there to keep everybody from going down there’ just because this place is hard enough for spotters to spot where they do from the corner, they don’t need that added complication.”

JOE NEMECHEK, No. 87 AM / FM Energy Pellet & Wood Stoves Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports

Finishing Position: 12th

KENNY WALLACE, No. 09 Toyota Camry, RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Finishing Position: 17th

STEVE WALLACE, No. 66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Rusty Wallace Racing

Finishing Position: 29th

BRIAN SCOTT, No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 41st

- Toyota Motorsports Press Release

No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota Camry (Brian Scott) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway

November 6, 2011

Race Highlights:

- Brian Scott and the No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota team started Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway from the seventh position and reported that the car was handling free in traffic pretty early into the 300-mile event.

- The team got its first chance to work on the Shore Lodge Toyota during a green-flag pit stop at lap 50, making a chassis adjustment, changing four tires and adding fuel. The adjustment didn’t do what Scott needed as the loose condition persisted.

- Caution waved at lap 90 and the team used it as an opportunity to make another round of adjustments on the Shore Lodge Toyota. The loose condition persisted during the next run and a tight condition developed in the middle of the turns. The team got another chance to work on the car’s handling just past the halfway point of the race. The changes helped and Scott was able to finally break into the top 10 at lap 145.

- Scott was in eighth place when the last caution of the race waved at lap 189. None of the leaders made a pit stop so Scott was in position to make a run to the top five during the closing laps. When green-flag racing resumed, driver Elliott Sadler got into the left-front quarter panel of the Shore Lodge Toyota. The damage affected the handling on the car and Scott dropped back to 12th place by the time the checkered flag waved.

- Scott’s Joe Gibbs Racing Teammates Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano finished second and eighth, respectively.

- Scott’s maintained eighth place in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings with his 12th-place finish at Texas. He now sits 16 points behind Kenny Wallace in seventh place. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., remains the leader in the point standings with a 17-point margin on Elliott Sadler in second place.

Scott Discusses Racing at Phoenix

Talk about last weekend’s race?

Brian Scott

“Texas was fast and fun. We had a good car and we were going to have a sixth to eighth-place finish. We had a restart with about 10 to go. We were in eighth place when we went back green and I just fell back. (Elliott) Sadler got into us and caved in our left-front fender and that just put us at a huge aerodynamic disadvantage and we ended up finishing 12th.”

How daunting is it going to Phoenix with all of the track changes?

“We’re going in with a pretty good game plan I think. Luckily I have an ace in the whole. My spotter Tim Fedewa is one of the guys that is participating in the plan to help with the track’s racing gooves. He’s going to be in a Petty car and they are at the track making a lot of laps and he’s going to fill me in on what works there and what he thinks we may need. I mean I won’t have ever been around Phoenix before this experiment with the Petty cars but it can’t hurt and hopefully it helps with the track surface.”

Talk about the upswing the No. 11 team has been experiencing.

“As a team – the No. 11 guys – we’ve turned a corner. We’ve had dramatic improvement and significant results from the beginning of the year. We are really happy with the performance we’ve experienced the second half of the year. We’re really excited and looking forward to the next couple of races to finish off this year strong and then we are looking forward to representing Dollar General next year.”

- Joe Gibbs Racing Press Release

No. 66 5-Hour Energy® Toyota Camry (Steve Wallace) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

This Week’s 5 Hour Energy Toyota … Steve Wallace will pilot Rusty Wallace Racing chassis RWR-058 in Saturday afternoon’s Wypall 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. A workhorse of the 2011 season, this Toyota Camry raced at Auto Club Speedway in March, Nashville Superspeedway in April, and twice in the month of May, at Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. Wallace then raced it at Michigan International Raceway in June, at Bristol Motor Speedway in August and most recently, at Richmond International Raceway in September.

White Flag Next Time By … With just two races remaining in the 2011 season, Wallace has accumulated two top-five, five top 10 and 15 top-15 finishes, an average starting position of 13.7 and an average finish of 16.1. Wallace has completed 98.2 percent of the laps contested (5,891 of 5,997) thus far.

Get to the Points … Wallace continues to maintain the ninth position in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings. With just two races remaining in the 2011 season, Wallace trails eighth-place driver Kenny Wallace by 13 markers, and holds a 12-point advantage over his Rusty Wallace Racing teammate, Michael Annett, for the 10th position..

Wallace at Phoenix … In 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway, Wallace boasts two top-10 finishes. His best finish at the one-mile desert oval is 10th, where he has finished twice (November, 2009 and November, 2010).

Welcome Aboard … Rusty Wallace Racing and 5-Hour Energy are pleased to feature Safeway on the TV panel and Circle K on the C-post of the No. 66 Toyota this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

Rusty Wallace Racing at Phoenix … In 29 combined NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway, Rusty Wallace Racing entries have earned one top-five and seven top-10 finishes with three different drivers including Brendan Gaughan and Jamie McMurray. Rusty Wallace, a former driver in NASCAR’s junior division, himself contributed a top-10 finish in November 2004. Gaughan’s fourth-place run in April 2010 is Rusty Wallace Racing’s best effort at the desert oval.

Rusty Wallace Racing in 2011 … With 32 of 34 races completed thus far in the 2011 season, Rusty Wallace Racing’s three NASCAR Nationwide Series entries have recorded a combined three top-five, 12 top 10 and 31 top-15 finishes. Rusty Wallace Racing Toyotas have completed 12,821 of 13,219 laps attempted, and have been atop the leaderboard for 21 laps with drivers Michael Annett, Jason Bowles, David Reutimann and Steve Wallace.
Meet the Driver … Fans can meet Wallace Thursday, November 10 from 6 – 7 p.m. MST at the Total Wine store located at 1416 North Litchfield Rd. in Goodyear, Ariz.

Steve Wallace - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

“We’re all looking forward to getting to Phoenix next week, because our short track program has been really strong this year. We feel like we can be competitive when we get there. Everyone is starting with a clean slate since the track has been reconfigured, so we’ll look to make the most of the extended practice sessions and hopefully have a good finish.” - Steve Wallace on racing at Phoenix International Raceway

About Living Essentials, LLC

Farmington Hills, MI-based Living Essentials, LLC, is the maker of 5-Hour Energy, the category leader in 2 oz. liquid energy shots. 5-Hour Energy is available nationwide at major retailers in the Grocery, Drug Store, Mass Merchant, Warehouse and Convenience Store classes of trade. Living Essentials sells over seven million bottles of 5-Hour Energy per week. For more information, please visit 5hourenergy.com.

About Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC

North Carolina-based Rusty Wallace Racing (RWR) is a professional auto racing team steeped in the legendary racing history of its founder, Rusty Wallace. The team currently campaigns the No. 66 and No. 62 Toyota Camrys-driven by Steve Wallace and Michael Annett, respectively-in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. RWR will also campaign the No. 64 Camry in select 2011 events. RWR entries have finished among the top-ten in the Nationwide Series driver or owner standings in each of the last three seasons. For more on Rusty Wallace Racing, please visit the award-winning rustywallace.com.

- Rusty Wallace Racing Press Release

Kenny Wallace - Photo Credit: Tom Pennington / Getty Images for NASCAR

Team: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Car: No. 09 Toyota Camry

Race 33 of 34: Wypall 200 at Phoenix International Raceway

Event Info: Saturday, November 12, 2011, ESPN 2, 3:30PM

Desert delight… RAB Racing with Brack Maggard and Kenny Wallace will travel further west this weekend to compete in Saturday’s Wypall 200 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). The last time Kenny Wallace and RAB Racing travelled to PIR, it was the second race of the season and Wallace scored a Top-10 finish. This time, it is the second to last race of the season and Wallace is looking to close out the year with another solid performance.

Centennial Celebration… On the heels of the history-making 520th start at Texas Motor Speedway, Wallace will help RAB Racing achieve another important milestone. The Wypall 200 will mark RAB Racing with Brack Maggard’s 100th start in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series. RAB Racing competed in their first Nationwide Series race with driver Carl Edwards at Bristol Motor Speedway. After three full-time seasons and counting, RAB Racing has become a formidable player in the series amassing one victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with driver Boris Said.

Keeping Tabs… As we head into the last two races of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, Kenny Wallace has become a fixture in the driver point standings top-10. He has posted an impressive 1 Top-5, 11 Top-10’s and 27 Top-20’s. Wallace holds steady at seventh for the 21st consecutive week and RAB Racing occupies the 14th position in the NNS owner standings.

Phoenix details…

· Wallace competed in his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race at PIR on November 6, 1999, where he started 11th and finished 5th.

· In the top-three NASCAR divisions, Wallace has 34 total starts – 15 in the Sprint Cup 16 in the Nationwide Series, and three starts in the Camping World Truck Series.

· RAB Racing with Brack Maggard will make its seventh start at PIR in the Nationwide Series. RAB Racing recorded its first start at PIR in November 2008.

Can’t get enough…

Subscribe to RAB Racing’s YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/teamrab09

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- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release

Kenny Wallace - Photo Credit: Tom Pennington / Getty Images for NASCAR

CONCORD, N.C. (November 7, 2011) –

After the green flag flew in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway, Wallace secured a lasting spot in history and surpassed his friend Jason Keller to set the record. The two drivers have surprisingly similar NNS records, both with an average finishing position of 16.7. The start was even more personal to Wallace as he dedicated it to his father, Russ Wallace, and had Russ’ name in place of his own over the window.

Making the second of two trips to the “Lone Star State” during the 2011 season, Wallace piloted the No. 09 G-Oil Toyota Camry to an 18th place starting position. He climbed through the field throughout the day and even passed Justin Allgaier in the last corner of the last lap to secure a 13th place finishing position. Wallace continues to occupy the seventh position in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver points standings.

Wallace and RAB Racing will remain out west, as they travel to Phoenix International Raceway for the Wypall 200. Live coverage begins Saturday, November 12th, at 3:30PM EST on ESPN2 and on PRN at 3:00PM EST.

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- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release