Like Father, Not Like Son for Steve Wallace

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Steve Wallace, NASCAR Busch driver of the No. 66, HomeLife Communities/Dodge Motorsports Dodge is the first to admit he’s nothing like his father – former NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Rusty Wallace.

“Dad, he’s pretty hyper-active,” said the younger Wallace before the press in the Daytona International Speedway infield Media Center on Saturday. “He’s like that 7 in the morning or 9 at night. I think I’m a little more laid back then he is.”

Laid back or not, the Steve Wallace is “focused” on getting things right as preparations for the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener on Saturday, Feb. 17 continued this weekend at Daytona International Speedway as Wallace and other Busch Series teams recorded their second of a three-day test on Saturday. A second wave of three-day testing will begin on Sunday.

“I’ve been working really hard, trying to get my race car to go fast,” he added. “But sometimes it gets frustrating when you work all day long and either lose speed or don’t gain any.”

Wallace posted the 28th best time in the morning run with a 180.552 mph run.

Oh, and by the way, dad says Steve was pulling the media’s leg. “He’s as hyper as I am,” said Rusty who was on hand at Saturday’s testing session. “I don’t think he’s done a lot of interviews with the media so I’m sure he was just being conservative.”

Can’t stay away: Speaking of being on hand, Rusty, took a few laps around Daytona International Speedway on Saturday in the No. 66A Rusty Wallace Inc. Dodge. “I don’t’ drive competitively anymore, but I like to test drive. As soon as I went out we made four laps and blew up. We’re going to change engines and try and get back out by the end of the day.” After several media interviews, he did.

Montoya Watch: Juan Pablo Montoya, who will be the first foreign driver to race in the Daytona 500 since Christian Fittapaldi in 2003, watched from the sideline during the morning session. His ride, driven by Kevin Hamlin, posted only the 29th fastest time at 180.542 during Saturday’s opening session. “We’re struggling right now,” said Brad Parrott, Crew Chief for the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge. “We’re throwing everything we can at it but right now we’re struggling.” Montoya, who took part in drafting in the afternoon session, will race in the Rolex 24 with Chip Ganassi Racing. His co-drivers in the No. 01 Lexus Riley will be Scott Pruett and Salvador Duran. Then he will also compete in the Gatorade Duel, Orbitz 300 and Daytona 500 during the stock car portion of Speedweeks.

Standing Tall: ESPN on-air talent and former NBA star Brad Daugherty made an appearance in the garage area on Saturday, getting ready for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. “I’ve always been a NASCAR fan and I’m excited to get the season started,” said the 7-footer. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I love being around the sport, but I’m sure some folks are saying ‘He’s too tall to be a driver!” Along with Daugherty, Rusty Wallace, Jerry Punch, and Andy Petree will make the call for ESPN which kicks off its coverage of the Busch Series with the Orbitz 300 from Daytona in February.

NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fest: The final NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fests is set for Sunday.

The NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fest event starts at 5 p.m. but fans will be able to enter the NEXTEL FANZONE beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action for the NASCAR Busch Series. Busch Series admission for the NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fest is $10.

Fans will be able to get a sneak peek on NASCAR teams as they prepare for Speedweeks 2007 with inquisitive fan forums with many of their favorite drivers as well as enjoying all the state-of-the-art amenities in the popular NEXTEL FANZONE.

Also included in NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations, displays, a silent auction and passenger hot laps around the 2.5-mile tri-oval in pace cars (additional $20).

All testing sessions continue to be free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

Speedweeks 2007 tickets available: Tickets for Speedweeks 2007 events, including the 49th annual Daytona 500, are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or by logging onto www.racetickets.com

Saturday morning’s NASCAR Busch Series testing session speeds:

1 87A Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 49.207, 182.901
2 5A Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 49.212, 182.882
3 5B Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 49.278, 182.637
4 90A Stephen Leicht, Ford, 49.308, 182.526
5 6B David Ragan, Ford, 49.347, 182.382
6 21A Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.374, 182.282
7 18B Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 49.384, 182.245
8 16B Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.391, 182.219
9 99B David Reutimann, Toyota, 49.402, 182.179
10 32B Dave Blaney, Toyota, 49.402, 182.179
11 32A Dave Blaney, Toyota, 49.458, 181.973
12 6A David Ragan, Ford, 49.459, 181.969
13 37B Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.474, 181.914
14 11A Martin Truex, Chevrolet, 49.478, 181.899
15 55A Brandon Miller, Ford, 49.504, 181.803
16 20A Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 49.539, 181.675
17 36A Brent Sherman, Chevrolet, 49.547, 181.646
18 18A Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 49.551, 181.631
19 88A Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 49.608, 181.422
20 38A Jason Leffler, Toyota, 49.655, 181.251
21 20B Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 49.698, 181.094
22 16A Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.729, 180.981
23 15A Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 49.741, 180.937
24 99A David Reutimann, 49.743, 180.930
25 90B Stephen Leicht, Ford, 49.762, 180.861
26 2A Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 49.768, 180.839
27 59A Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 49.795, 180.741
28 66B Steve Wallace, Dodge, 49.84,7 180.552
29 42B Kevin Hamlin, Dodge, 49.850, 180.542
30 28A Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 49.863, 180.495
31 37A Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.866, 180.484
32 2B Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 49.886, 180.411
33 21B Timothy Peters Chevrolet 49.893 180.386
34 66A Steve Wallace, Dodge, 49.920, 180.288
35 59B Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 49.940, 180.216
36 28B Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 50.323, 178.845
37 38B Jason Leffler, Toyota, 50.430, 178.465
38 0B Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 50.473, 178.313
39 72A Randy MacDonald, Chevrolet, 50.525, 178.130
Saturday afternoon’s testing session speeds:
1 5B Kyle Busch, Chevrole, 47.893, 187.919 
2 32B Dave Blaney, Toyota, 47.928, 187.782 
3 28A Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 47.942, 187.727 
4 5A Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 48.247, 186.540 
5 16A Todd Kluever, Ford, 48.250, 186.528 
6 66B Steve Wallace / RustyWallace, Dodge, 48.372, 186.058 
7 38A Jason Leffler, Toyota, 48.390 185.989 
8 42A Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 48.442, 185.789 
9 88A Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 48.452, 185.751 
10 2A Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 48.468, 185.690 
11 36A Brent Sherman, Chevrolet, 48.479, 185.647 
12 32A Dave Blaney, Toyota, 48.492, 185.598 
13 99B David Reutimann, Toyota, 48.498, 185.575 
14 20A Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 48.500, 185.567 
15 6A David Ragan, Ford, 48.526, 185.468 
16 18A Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 48.627, 185.082
17 6B David Ragan, Ford, 48.680, 184.881 
18 90A Stephen Leicht, Ford, 48.771, 184.536 
19 28B Robert Richardson, Chevrolet, 48.806, 184.404 
20 59B Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 48.832, 184.305 
21 90B Stephen Leicht, Ford, 48.902, 184.042 
22 38B Jason Leffler, Toyota, 48.912, 184.004 
23 42B Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 48.970, 183.786 
24 59A Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 49.046, 183.501
25 99A David Reutimann, Toyota, 49.256, 182.719 
26 87A Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 49.312, 182.511 
27 55A Brandon Miller, Ford, 49.314, 182.504 
28 16B Todd Kluever, Ford, 49.382, 182.253 
29 37B Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.413, 182.138 
30 21A Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.512, 181.774 
31 66A Steve Wallace / Rusty Wallace, Dodge 49.561, 181.594 
32 37A Jamie McMurray, Ford, 49.605, 181.433 
33 18B Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, 49.636, 181.320 
34 21B Timothy Peters, Chevrolet, 49.752, 180.897 
35 0A Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 50.122, 179.562
36 88B Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 50.311, 178.887
37 0B Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 50.382, 178.635 
38 72A Randy MacDonald, Chevrolet, 50.602, 177.859