Just a few months ago it was announced that Morgan McClure Motorsports decided to quit playing the “pull the driver out for this race” game with Mike Wallace, and had told him he would be their driver for the rest of 2005. But, as they did earlier in the season, they apparently changed their mind. Today Morgan McClure Motorsports announced Todd Bodine as their driver of the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy for the season finale NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead, FL. This announcement comes one day after Mike’s brother Kenny Wallace was announced as the fill-in driver for the #97 Roush Racing Ford, which could have put the two in the final regular season NASCAR Nextel Cup race with their older brother Rusty, who is retiring from behind the wheel after Homestead.
Motorsports Lounge talked with “Team ML” driver Mike Wallace this evening about the situation at Morgan McClure Motorsports as well as other issues surrounding this weekend. “They have to do what they feel they need to do,” said Mike Wallace to Jason Stix Buckley. “They apparently feel the driver change will help them run better at Homestead, so that is that.” With older brother Rusty retiring after this race, Mike was really hoping to race against him. “Kenny and I started this season racing against Rusty at Daytona, and it would be really cool if we could end it also in the same race. It would mean a lot to our family. Kenny is now in the #97 for the race, so now I need to find a ride. If a team out there wants a driver for the Homestead NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race, give me a call!” Even if Mike doesn’t get that call for this memorable occasion, he will still be racing in Homestead. “This weekend I will be driving Rusty’s Miller High Life car in the Busch Series race,” Mike said. “Rusty’s team has great equipment, so we are going down there to have some fun and win the race.” But, that isn’t all the fun for Mike this weekend. “We are going to go down and hang out with country singer Chris Cagle. We are going to watch him perform and just have a great time!”
What does next season hold for Mike Wallace? “We will deal with next season after this weekend,” said Mike. “Right now we are looking forward to seeing Chris Cagle, racing Rusty’s car and hopefully getting a ride for the Nextel Cup race. Also, my daughter Chrissy will be racing her Pro Challenge car at Friendship Motor Speedway Saturday, so hopefully we both can bring home trophies this weekend!”(Motorsports Lounge PR)(11-15-2005)
