Rusty Wallaces ability as a driver is unquestioned. He won 55 times ninth most in NASCAR premier series history during two decades against rivals named Bodine, Earnhardt, Elliott, Gordon, Jarrett, Labonte, Martin, Richmond and Waltrip. But Russell William Wallace Jr., the 1989 series champion, did more than just drive the 900 horsepower stock car. Wallace won 25 short track races and on all three road course Riverside, Sonoma and Watkins Glen contested during his career. He scored victories with six different crew chiefs: Dodson, Pemberton, Larry Carter, Eddie Dickerson, Buddy Parrott and Jimmy Makar. His last victory came at Martinsville Speedway on April 14, 2004. His mechanical intuition was equally responsible for career achievements that will be capped Feb. 8 with Wallaces induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with champions Buck Baker and Herb Thomas; championship car owner Cotton Owens and innovative crew chief, mechanic and engine builder Leonard Wood. Induction ceremonies will take place at 7:30pm/et in the Crown Ball Room at the Charlotte Convention Center which is directly connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The event is the first half of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend followed on Saturday, Feb. 9 by NASCAR Preview 2013. Tickets for the ceremonies start at $45 (available at www.nascaracceleration.com ) and the NASCAR Hall of Fame box office. In addition, a $20 ticket will gain fans all-day access into NASCAR Preview 2013 and the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 9. For the full story, stats and more on Rusty Wallace and the Class of 2013, see my NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2013 page .
