Mike Wallace Runs to the Front in Daytona; Looks Forward to California

Concord, NC (February 22, 2007) – ‘The band was back together’ when the green flag dropped at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 17th, for the first race of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season.  GEICO adorned the #7 Phoenix Racing entry as the primary sponsor, while Sport Clips appeared as an associate sponsor, both of which supported Wallace’s efforts in 2004 when he won the NASCAR Busch Series race in Daytona on July 2, 2004.  Both sponsors are in the first year of a three year agreement with Wallace.  Smith Transport, a long-time supporter of Wallace, joins the pair as an associate sponsor on the #7 Chevrolet.

Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS qualified 32nd for the Orbitz 300, however the Phoenix Racing team knew they had a car that could contend for a win.  Due to NASCAR impound rules prohibiting the teams from touching the cars after qualifying and prior to the race, Wallace qualified in ‘race trim’ rather than ‘qualifying trim’, so as to be able to drive to the front of the field when the race started.  That strategy would prove fruitful when the green flag waved at the famed 2.5-mile tri-oval.

When Wallace climbed into his #7 GEICO Chevrolet on the starting grid, he found himself in the rear of the field with other NASCAR notables such as Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kevin Harvick.  Patience is the key in Daytona and that is exactly what Wallace exhibited as he made calculated moves that helped him avoid early crashes that drew the caution flag.  During an early caution, he radioed in to his crew, “I’m back here with Stewart, Harvick and Junior and these are guys who finish these races, so I’m in no hurry to rush to the front.  We will ride around back here with these guys and go when they go so we can be up front in the end.” 

A restrictor plate specialist, Wallace would later link up with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and find his way to the front of the field where he would settle comfortably in the Top 5.  Late in the race, however, he would lose the draft and slip back to the 13th position behind the #55 car of Robby Gordon.  With no ‘help’ from behind and only Gordon in front of him it would make it tough for Wallace to return to the Top 5.  After running at the front of the field most of the day, on the final lap Wallace’s fuel tank came up empty and he was relegated to a 23rd place finish.    

On Sunday, in the Nextel Cup race, Wallace would once again find himself at the front of the field in Daytona and record a 4th place finish in the Daytona 500.

“Obviously, it was a successful weekend in Daytona,” Wallace said.  “Friday night was kind of rough in the Truck Series race, but we were able to turn around on Saturday in the Busch Series race and put the #7 GEICO Chevrolet up front and gain a lot of valuable television exposure.  Then on Sunday I was able to run up front and finish 4th in the Daytona 500, which has created a lot of additional exposure for our race programs.”  He continued, “We had some key folks from the GEICO corporate office in town for the race and it was great to spend time with them and to be able to put the GEICO car up front and get them excited about our program.  With that said, we are now focused on California and looking for another great run this weekend.”  

 Mike Wallace and the #7 GEICO Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will hit the track at California Speedway in Fontana, CA, for their first practice on Friday, February 23rd at 11:00 AM (ET).  Final practice is also on Friday at 1:20 PM (ET), followed by qualifying on Saturday afternoon at 3:10 PM (ET).  The Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 7:00 PM (ET) on Saturday night, while the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will carry the live radio broadcast. 

To learn more about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.GEICOracing7.com.