The NAPA 200 presented by Dodge got underway under dry conditions, however it was not long before NASCAR waved the caution flag due to heavy rain on the race track. For the first time in NASCAR history, a points race was contended under wet conditions. All teams were permitted three minutes to change to rain tires and add a windshield wiper to the car.
48 of 74 laps were completed before the race was called and the #7 GEICO Camry recorded a 15th place finish North of the border. Driver Mike Wallace was happy to escape Montreal with an intact race car.
“It was certainly interesting and I thought everyone did a good job of being patient and not getting too anxious,” Wallace said. “I think it was getting to a point where some of the drivers were getting antsy and it was about to get real interesting, so NASCAR made a good decision and called it off.”
Wallace continued, “This whole GEICO team did a good job today and we were obviously very competitive, both in qualifying and in the race. We’re 8th in the points and we’re looking forward to getting to Watkins Glen next week and shining once again on another road course. I have a lot to learn about these road courses, but I’m definitely having fun.”
The GEICO Racing team blew into the Windy City hoping to record a top finish that would help them make progress towards the Top 5 in the point standings. Sitting 8th, Mike Wallace needed to finish up front to gain any ground.
Wallace lost ground when the green flag waved, however he rebounded quickly and found himself in the Top 15 by Lap 9. Once he entered the Top 15, it was smooth sailing and the #7 GEICO Camry quickly moved to the front of the field, reaching the 3rd position by Lap 55. Wallace ran solidly in the Top 5 before making contact with the wall on Lap 106. Unfortunately, the minor damage from the contact with the wall hindered the remainder of Wallace’s evening and he was forced to battle hard to secure a 20th place finish when the checkered flag was displayed under the Chicago night sky.
Despite the less than desired result, Wallace and the Gecko still sit in the 8th position in the point standings.
“The #7 GEICO Camry was great tonight and we were in position to win a race, but unfortunately I caught the wall and it severely affected the race car,” Wallace said. “I’m looking forward to taking GEICO and Sport Clips home to St. Louis with me next week and getting them a great finish.”
Coming to the checkered flag out of Turn 4 last Friday night July the 4th in Daytona, Mike Wallace was in position to record another Top 10 finish for the GEICO Racing team when his nephew Steven Wallace (say it ain't so Joe) decided fireworks were in order. The younger Wallace moved up the race track and sent his uncle into a 200-mph spin across the infield grass that culminated with the #7 GEICO Camry hitting the inside retaining wall hard. Mike Wallace and the GEICO Camry rested just a hundred yards or so from the finish line, with a destroyed race car and a 22nd place finish. Despite the misfortune on the last lap, Mike Wallace and the Gecko still sit in the 8th position in the point standings.
Sitting 8th in the point standings, Mike Wallace looked forward to arriving in Loudon, NH, and making up ground on the Top 5. Unfortunately, the Germain Racing team raced with heavy hearts, as team owner Bob Germain’s father passed away at 85 years of age in Naples, Florida, on Friday night.
After the green flag dropped Mike, Wallace and the Gecko immediately found themselves in danger when Brad Coleman caught their right front fender, causing damage that the GEICO pit crew would work hard to repair. Also, Mother Nature proved that she has a sense of humor when she provided temperatures in the 80’s on Friday during practice, but on Saturday she provided 64-degrees. This affected the set up of the race car and Wallace battled it all afternoon.
Wallace and the Gecko ran as high as 11th and ran solidly in the Top 15 for the balance of the afternoon. Consequently, when the checkered flag waved under overcast skies, Wallace recorded a 15th place finish. While the finish is not what the GEICO team was hoping for, it still kept Wallace in the 8th position in the point standings.
“We had a good points day, but we were hoping to get another Top 5 for GEICO and Sport Clips,” Wallace said. “It was unfortunate to learn of Bob’s (Germain, team owner) father passing away on Friday night and we are keeping the Germain family in our thoughts and prayers. We will be making the trip to Naples this week to attend services and pay tribute to such a great man.”
This week, the Germain Racing team heads to Daytona Beach, Florida, which is the site of Wallace’s last win. On July 2, 2004, Wallace passed Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jason Leffler coming out of Turn 4 to hand GEICO and Sport Clips their first NASCAR victories.
Mike Wallace said Friday at Kentucky Speedway that sponsor GEICO has indicated what it wants to do after next season, and it appears it won’t be sponsoring Wallace. GEICO, an insurance company, is not allowed in the Nationwide Series in 2010 as part of a non-competing sponsor agreement with the series sponsor. Nationwide began sponsoring NASCAR’s No. 2 series this year. Wallace drives the No. 7 Toyota for Germain Racing.
“We have an indication of what they’re going to do,” Wallace said of NASCAR. “Who really knows? I’ll just leave it at that.”
GEICO has been one of the most visible sponsors in the series, with its popular commercials featuring fictional Wallace relative Lauren Wallace.
I just can't seem to catch a break. I guess that's what I get for sticking with my Tennessee and Missouri boys. It's tempting to jump on a band wagon. But how much fun would that be? No, don't expect me to be hollering "Joooooonyer!," anytime soon.
Hopefully Mike will find a sponsor and I'll be able to stay with him.
Here Crocodile. Here's your chance to eat a gecko.
Pay attention Construct. Here is your chance to build something.
Not that I have anything against Justin Marks, but these two Germain Racing sponsors might get more mileage out of Mike.
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