Kenny Wallace

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Kenny Wallace 2012 Daytona 500 KENNY WALLACE LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT CHAPTER IN RACING CAREER
–“Herman” Hopes to End NASCAR Career on Top; 547 Career Starts Will Mark a New Standard for Longevity in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series–

CHARLOTTE, NC (July 14, 2015)–The August 1st U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway will be Kenny Wallace’s third NASCAR Xfinity Series start of 2015. The ever-popular Wallace announced today that after what will be a series-record 547 career starts, the Iowa event will also mark the final start of his 26-year NASCAR career.

While his NASCAR career may be coming to a close, the man affectionately known to friends and fans as “Herman,” doesn’t plan to go out without a fight. He heads to Iowa with what is likely one of his best chances ever to capture the checkers. Wallace will be at the helm of the ever-competitive No. 20 U.S. Cellular Toyota in the event. The No. 20 team currently sits fourth overall in the Xfinity Series Owner Standings and won the pole position for the season’s first race at Iowa Speedway.

Wallace noted, “To me, this isn’t a sad moment; I’m at a truly happy place in my life right now. After all, not too many guys get to have the privilege of being a NASCAR driver, especially for as long as I have. I really wanted to end my long career on a positive note and I’m very excited about our chances in Iowa. The No. 20 team is one of the best in the sport and I’m looking forward to having a chance to end my NASCAR career with a great finish. I really want to thank U.S. Cellular for helping me make that happen.”

When all is said and done after Iowa, the former Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year and three-time Most Popular Driver will leave behind a remarkable legacy of longevity and perseverance that is nearly unparalleled in the sport. This is shown by what will be–following Iowa–an all-time record 547 career Xfinity Series starts and 904 combined NASCAR national series starts (14th all-time).

After making his NASCAR debut in Dale Earnhardt’s No. 8 Xfinity Series ride at Martinsville in 1988, Wallace would go on to finish among the top-10 in the Xfinity Series standings in 10 of his 14 full seasons, including a runner-up finish in 1991. His nine series wins and ten poles rank him among the top-40 all-time in both categories, while his 173 top-ten finishes mark the seventh-best all-time career total.

Wallace may have most often competed in the Xfinity Series, but he also enjoyed a fruitful career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as well, where he had 344 career starts, including three poles. While he may not have reached victory lane in the Cup series, Wallace played a vital role in several of its most memorable finishes, including pushing the late Dale Earnhardt to his final NASCAR victory at Talladega in 2000.

In recent years, Wallace has been able to capitalize on his charismatic personality and racing experience in becoming a NASCAR analyst for FOX Sports. In that role, he currently appears on Fox Sports 1’s NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane shows.

Said Wallace, “Growing up as a kid and watching my Dad race in Rolla, MO, I never dreamed that I’d have the chance to do what I’ve done in my life. I’ve had a long and successful career and I’ve been able to support my family doing what I love. To me, it doesn’t get any better than that. I’m really proud of everything that I’ve been able to accomplish in NASCAR.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to turn my NASCAR driving career into another career doing something else I love-that’s working with FOX Sports on television. Those guys have been great to me and I get a lot of happiness from being able to educate the fans about the sport that I love. I’m going to stay involved in the sport through TV and I’m going to stay behind the wheel in my dirt cars too.

“You know, everyone experiences change at some point and I’m honestly looking forward to opening the next chapter in my life. As always, I promise that I’m going to have a lot of fun doing it.”

Many fans know that Kenny Wallace is an avid user of the social networking platform Twitter, and enjoys engaging with fans through his username, @kenny_wallace. Starting today, fans are encouraged to tweet their favorite Kenny Wallace memories using the hashtag #thankskenny. The authors of Kenny’s top-26 favorite tweets-representative of his 26 years in NASCAR-will be rewarded with an autographed hat from the Iowa race weekend.

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Kenny Wallace’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Career at a Glance (Before Iowa)
Starts: 546 (First All-Time)
Laps Completed: 101,673 (First)
Points Scored: 57,398 (Second)
Lead Lap Finishes: 247 (Third)
Earnings: $11,348,216 (Fifth)
Top-10 Finishes: 173 (T-Seventh)
Laps Led: 2,979 (19th)
Top-Five Finishes: 66 (22nd)
Poles: 10 (T-30th)
Wins: 9 (T-37th)
Top-10 Points Finishes: 10 of 14 full seasons

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 24, 2012) – NASCAR has issued penalties to the No. 09 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as a result of rules infractions found on July 22 during post-race inspection at Chicagoland Speedway.

Crew chief Scott Zipadelli has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Sept. 5 for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20A of the rule book or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); 20A-2.3A (improperly attached weight); and 20A-2.4B (car failed to meet minimum weight requirements in post-race inspection). Car chief Travis Young has been placed on NASCAR probation until Sept. 5 for the same infractions.

Driver Kenny Wallace and owner Robby Benton have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points for violating Sections 12-1; 12-4J; and 20A-2.4B.

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Ryan Truex to Drive the No. 09 Grime Boss Toyota for RAB Racing at Texas

CONCORD, N.C. (April 10, 2012) – RAB Racing with Brack Maggard and two-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Ryan Truex will team up for this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Grime Boss, a division of Nice-Pak Products, Inc., will sponsor Truex as he pilots the No. 09 Grime Boss Toyota Camry in his first start at the 1.5-mile oval. The 20-year-old driver has compiled one top-five and six top-10 finishes in 26 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts.

“I can’t thank Grime Boss enough for supporting the development of my career,” said Truex. “We’re working hard to gain as much experience by running as many tracks as possible this year with the hopes of running a full Nationwide Series schedule in 2013. I appreciate RAB Racing for giving me the opportunity to get behind the wheel of their No. 09 Toyota. They’ve had strong cars every week, and I can’t wait to get to Texas.”

“Nice-Pak is solidly behind Ryan Truex and his Nationwide Series efforts,” said Tom Hernquist, President of Nice-Pak Products, Inc. “Our experience working with Ryan has been phenomenal. He’s been a great ambassador for our Grime Boss brand.”

Kenny Wallace, who drove the No. 09 Toyota Camry in the first five races of the 2012 season, will return to the team at Talladega Superspeedway next month.

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RAB Racing To Attempt Sprint Cup Series Debut in 54th Daytona 500 with American Ethanol, Kenny Wallace

CONCORD, N.C. (January 21, 2012) – RAB Racing with Brack Maggard announced today that they will attempt to make their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the 54th-annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, with driver Kenny Wallace behind the wheel of their No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry.

“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.”

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