United Way 300 presented by Yellow and Sprint - Rusty Wallace Notes

Rusty Wallace/Miller High Life Light Fast Facts
United Way 300, Kansas Speedway

Race Information – Event: United Way 300; Race: Saturday, October 8, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. EST on NBC; Track: Kansas Speedway; Qualifying: October 7, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. EST on SPEED; Track Length: 1.5-mile tri-oval

Wallace In The Driver’s Seat – NBS car owner, Rusty Wallace will pilot his No. 64 Miller High Life Light Dodge for the third time this season this weekend in Kansas. Wallace has had a number of NEXTEL Cup Series veteran’s behind the wheel of his No. 64 Dodge this year, including Bill Elliott, Jeremy Mayfield, Jamie McMurray and Mike Wallace. With focus on getting his team ready for next year, Wallace made the call to drive the remaining three High Life races himself; they will include Kansas, Texas and Homestead.

Going out with a bang – Making it into the Chase for the 2005 NEXTEL Cup Series Championship battle was one of the most important goals set by Wallace in the beginning of his final year driving the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge. Sitting third in the Chase battle, only 76 points out of first, Wallace finished a disappointing 25th in last weekend’s race at Talladega. But this year has been nothing short of spectacular for Wallace; who has posted seven top-five and 15 top-10 finishes so far this season.

Testing 1,2,3 – Wallace and youngest son, Stephen headed to Elvis country on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week; in preparation for Stephen’s NASCAR Busch Series debut at Memphis Motorsports Park on October 22nd. Father and son took turns in the seat of the No. 64 Dodge during the two-day test, posting the fastest time of the day on Tuesday. Son Stephen will make his first start in a NBS car at Memphis and will run 12 races in his dad’s No. 64 Dodge during the 2006 season.

Crew Chief Update – Steve Darne will continue to fill in as interim crew chief on the No. 64 Miller High Life Light Dodge. Darne has led the team since Bristol and will continue to fill-in until car owner, Wallace finds a replacement.

Chassis 64-02 – Steve Darne and his MHLL team will take Chassis No. 02 to the track this weekend in Kansas. This is the same car that car owner, Rusty Wallace drove to a 7th place finish two weeks ago at Dover. This car also brought the team their first win at Darlington in 2004 with McMurray behind the wheel.

Quotes:
Darne on filling in as interim crew chief…
“We’re just working on fixing some of our aero package stuff right now. It’s been a long road and we’re all working together to tidy up some of our problems. But we’re getting back on track and the guys are doing a great job. We’re looking forward to the rest of this year and a fresh start for 2006.”

Wallace on driving his NBS car in the heat of the Chase battle…
“I think that driving the Grand National car on Saturday’s is a big help for my Cup ride on Sunday. It gives me a chance to learn a little about how the track is going to react on Sunday and gives me a little bit of extra seat time. I think this was a step in the right direction in helping get things back on track for my team in preparation for next year.”