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Nov 26 2007 --- Steve Wallace Looking to Ice Competition
--Youngest Champion in Event History Seeking another Trophy in His
“Favorite Race”--
MOORESVILLE, NC (November 23, 2007)—Waltrip. Allison. Hamilton. Some
of the greatest names in stock car racing history have had their names
inscribed upon the trophy of Pensacola, Florida’s Snowball Derby, the crown
jewel of southern short track racing. Yet another legendary name on that
trophy is Wallace, but not the one you may have imagined. In 2004, then-17
year-old Steve Wallace put the racing world on notice when he outgunned a
field of stock car veterans to become the youngest champion in the now 40-
year history of the Snowball Derby.
Next weekend, Wallace, a two-time pole winner in the 2007 NASCAR
Nationwide Series, will seek to add another Snowball Derby title to his resume,
from behind the wheel of the No. 66 Richie Wauters Racing entry. Together,
the Wallace-Wauters duo has been the most formidable combination in recent
Derby history; over the past three years, they have combined for one win and
two second-place finishes in Pensacola. Wallace’s finishing average of 1.67
during that span is the best of all drivers whom have competed in all three
events.
Backing Wallace’s effort next weekend are HomeLife Communities and
JoinAPS.com; both sponsor Wallace’s No. 66 Rusty Wallace Racing Chevrolet
in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Rusty Wallace, Steve’s father and
Nationwide Series team owner, had a well-known love for the Pensacola event,
but never scored a victory. In nine Derby starts, his best finishes were two
runner-up performances, in 1979 and 1985.
Richie Wauters Racing’s 2008 Snowball Derby effort even is more formidable
than before, due to the addition of a teammate for Wallace. NASCAR NEXTEL
Cup Series star, Kyle Busch, has been enlisted to pilot another Wauters entry
in this year’s running of the Derby. The two teammates had their first chance
to work together in a full-day private test session at Pensacola earlier this
week.
Noted Wallace, “All year long, I look forward to the Snowball Derby; it’s
definitely my favorite race of the year. From the time the Derby’s over each
year, I can’t wait to get back to Pensacola. Running down there isn’t about
downforce, drag or horsepower. It’s all about the driver, the chassis and the
crew. I like that. Once the race gets started down there, the driver plays a
bigger role than in any other race of the year. It’s all about tire management.
Whoever is able to go the fastest, while still being patient and taking care of
his tires, is going to be the guy that has the best shot at winning. For one
reason or another, it seems like I’ve been able to learn those tire management
skills pretty well over the past few years. You see someone fly by you early in
a run, but then, ten laps later after he’s burned up his tires, you pass him like
he’s standing still. It’s just all about staying patient and planning for the end of
the race. Richie Wauters has built me a really great car, so if we can just stay
out of trouble, you just might see our HomeLife Communities / JoinAPS.com
machine in Victory Lane.”
Next weekend’s event will mark the 40th annual running of the Snowball Derby.
The race is set for a 2:00 PM local start next Sunday, December 2nd, at
Pensacola, Florida’s Five Flags Speedway.
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