NASCAR WCUP: K.Wallace Wants To Race Instead Of Fielding Questions
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 3, 2001MARTINSVILLE, VA. – Kenny Wallace is tired of answering questions. He just wants to race.
And that’s why he spent two days testing at Martinsville Speedway last week, getting the Eel River Pontiac ready for this Sunday’s Virginia 500 Winston Cup race.
When Wallace’s car backs out of the hauler Friday morning, it will either be plain white or plain black. There will be no sponsorship decals. That’s been the case since the season-opener at Daytona in February for the Jack Birmingham-owned team and every week Wallace has been bombarded with questions concerning the team’s future.
“I really get tired about talking about it,” Wallace said about his team’s lack of sponsorship while he watched his favorite soap opera during a break in testing at Martinsville.
“Here’s the biggest quote anybody’ll get from me about this. Two weeks ago I realized that my car owner had enough money to run this team and I’m honestly am not paying attention to anybody worried about me getting a sponsor. If I’m not worried about it, then nobody else should be.
“Now my job is auto racing and I know the media’s job is to find a story. But this story is over. It’s like beating a dead horse with a stick. The story will be when we don’t show up.”
Wallace expects to show up for the Virginia 500 stronger than ever after a solid two-day test.
“We’re real excited about this test. Things are looking real good,” said Wallace. “I think we’re going to be real competitive when we come back.”
Wallace has a pretty solid track record at Martinsville Speedway. He captured the pole for the 1997 Virginia 500 and finished fifth in the 1999 Old Dominion 500. And during his days on the Busch Grand National circuit, he was a terror on the .526-mile oval, picking up a couple of victories.
“When I first came from Missouri and the ASA (American Speed Association) to run the Busch series, Martinsville was the very first track I came to,” said Wallace. “I learned a lot about this track and I think with me growing up on short tracks, that seemed to help me.”
The Virginia 500/Advance Auto Parts 250 weekend kicks off with Bud Pole qualifying for the Craftsman Truck Series at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 6 followed by time trials for the Winston Cup Series at 3 p.m. Tickets for qualifying are $15 for adults and children under 12 get in free.
Text provided by Mike Smith
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