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Rusty Wallace Gives Bill France 500,000 Pennies

3 October 1997

CONCORD, NC -- Rusty Wallace, who was fined $5,000 for cussing on the radio, squared his account with NASCAR today.

What's the big deal with that you ask?

Well, Wallace, having some fun at NASCAR's expense, had a Brinks truck loaded to gunnels with 3,500 pounds of pennies. Or in rounder numbers 500,000 of 'em.

Wallace, with Bill France in tow, walked up to the truck and flung the rear doors open to show the President of NASCAR that he had come to pay his dues. A somewhat surprised France cracked a smile and stood by as Rusty carried on.

Wallace jokingly said as he handed France a bag of pennies, "Now remember y'all - You can't never say sheyit." France, though trying to look official, couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth turn up in a smile. France did add, "Well at least when you're on the radio, Rusty."

The gag, all done in good fun, was more symbolic than anything as Penske Racing South had delivered a certified check to NASCAR in the amount of $5,000 to cover his digression earlier in the week.

Mike Snow -- The Auto Channel