Funai 250 - Kenny Wallace Notes

WALLACE CONFIDENT FIRST WIN SINCE 2001 CLOSER THAN EVER
Fresh off finishing second for the second time this year, Stacker 2 Racing driver Kenny Wallace is certain a trip to victory lane is the closest it has been in awhile. His last victory was in 2001 at Rockingham. Wallace already broke the streak of not posting a top-five since 2002 by finishing second this year at Nashville. The excellent chemistry that is developing between crew chief Wes Ward and Wallace promises to bring both Wallace and ppc Racing back to the success both are accustomed to. If history repeats itself, Wallace could grab his 10th career victory at Richmond. Wallace has more wins (3) in Richmond than anywhere else on the circuit, including back-to-back wins in Fall 1994 and Spring 1995.

KENNY WALLACE AT RICHMOND
Richmond International Raceway is one of Wallace’s most successful tracks. In 22 starts he has posted 17 top-10s, tied with Mark Martin for the record. Wallace is third among all-time drivers for wins at Richmond (3) behind Mark Martin and Harry Gant. He is second among active drivers. Wallace also holds the record for leading the most laps and going on to win a race (246 laps on 9/8/1996). Wallace has also been running at the end of every race in Richmond and has completed 98% of the laps. ppc Racing has also enjoyed success at Richmond. Its drivers have two wins, two poles, seven top-fives and eight top-10s in 18 attempts.

Starts: 22
Wins: 3
Top 5: 9
Top 10: 17
Best Finish: 1st (9/8/96, 3/4/95, 9/9/94)
First time: 3rd (9/9/89)
Last time: 33rd (9/10/04)

KENNY WALLACE IN THE POINTS
Kenny’s second-place finish in Darlington was good enough to move him up to sixth in drivers’ points. He is seven points out of the top-five and 109 points out of his highest ranking of the year (fourth). Wallace is 291 points behind leader Carl Edwards. Owner Greg Pollex moved up three spots to ninth.

“The first thing I think about when I think of Richmond is my three wins there. Every time I go there I go with a positive attitude, and this year is no different. I’m just looking forward to going there because it has always been good to me. We went up there and spent a day up there for a one-day test. Hopefully, it will make us better.

“Halfway through the day at Darlington, I did not even want to drive my car, but my crew did a great job helping me get it adjusted. You never know what is right around the corner. I am hoping that something great is going to happen for us in Richmond.”

Random thoughts

“Before racing in the Cup Series, I was competing for top-fives in Busch against guys like Mark Martin, Harry Gant and Dale Earnhardt, and now history is repeating itself. I am racing Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton in the Busch Series These are great racers. We just have to work hard and get the win.

“I never realized people thought I was running so badly last year. What happened was that in the mid-90s I was winning races. In the last five years I tried to win some Cup races and my Busch effort got hurt and my career got diluted. I am just with a really good team now so it feels like it is normal. Really I am just getting back to what feels right for me.”