acegear
Moderator
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 973
Location: Enumclaw, WA
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 Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 12:10 am Post subject: Busch Driver: Kenny Wallace |
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Kenny Wallace’s background in racing came straight from his bloodlines. His father, Russ, was one of the Midwest's most successful short track drivers, and his two older brothers, Rusty and Mike, are racers as well.
In his first stint ever behind the wheel of a race car in 1982, Wallace won the Street Stock State Championship in Illinois. After turning wrenches on older brother, Rusty's, race cars for a few years, Kenny returned to driving by competing in the American Speed Association (ASA) in 1986. He immediately found success by garnering Rookie of the Year honors and finishing 11th in series points.
Wallace spent two more years in the ASA ranks operating on a shoe-string budget, as his wife, Kim, worked two jobs just to pay the bills.
"Those were some tough times," recalls Wallace. "Kim was working and I was traveling and racing. Sometimes I would sleep in the car just to save a few dollars."
In 1989, Rusty picked Kenny to drive for his newly formed NASCAR Busch Series team. Together, they won two races in three seasons.
In 1992, Wallace joined Team SABCO. They competed in the Busch Series for one year, collecting one win and two poles before moving up to the Cup level in 1993. Success was tough to find, however, and Wallace was released at season's end.
"It totally sucked and I hope I never have to go through it again,” said Wallace. “When Felix fired me it was kind of like, 'you don't understand. I'm Kenny Wallace.' That's the way I felt. He can't fire me, because I'm a good driver. I always got the job done.
"I'll never forget that as long as I live, but the experience taught me a valuable lesson. The lesson was that racing is a team sport. It takes more than just a driver’s talent to get the job done. Everyone needs to work together in order to be successful. I don't think you could go to college and learn that. In the long run, it was the best thing that ever happened to me."
Wallace has been well traveled in his career. He's put in time for Sabates, as well as Filbert Martocci, Andy Petree, DEI, RCR and Bill Davis Racing.
He finished second at New Hampshire in 1999, but is still looking for his first Cup Series victory. Still, Wallace has a reputation as one of the circuit's most jovial personalities. His nickname (Herman) and his trademark laugh can almost be heard above the engines in the garage area.
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A win is a win, and second place is never good enough |
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