Chrissy Wallace has been working hard to make her dream come true for the last ten years. That dream is to reach the upper level series in NASCAR. Earlier this year, Chrissy came a little closer to her dream. The 19 year old started a Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville. She finished 18th, on the lead lap. She has signed a contract with Germain Racing to run a few CTS races this year, Then next year, compete for Rookie of the Year, while running the full CTS schedule.
At nine years old, Chrissy Wallace started racing in the Bandalero series at Lowes Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, among other venues. Bandaleros are large go carts with a fiberglass body that resembles a stock car. She has steadily progressed through the beginner series. From Bandalero to Legends, to Roadsters, to Arena racing, up to Late Model Stock cars.
Chrissy Wallace with her Legends Series car
Last year she was LMS rookie of the year at Hickory Speedway in North Carolina. She also became the first woman to ever win a feature race at Hickory. She went on to total five wins and ten top five finishes at Hickory last year. This is the track where the Jarretts, and the Earnhardts cut their teeth.
Chrissy was born into a racing family in St. Louis, MO. Her grandfather started the Wallace racing dynasty. Since then her uncle, Rusty, has won several Cup races and the championship in 1989. Her other uncle, Kenny, was the runner-up in the Busch Series championship in 1991. Of course, her father, Mike Wallace still races in all three of NASCAR's top series.
It helps to come from such a great racing family, but Chrissy had to drive the cars herself. She had to endure jealous drivers who would do anything to make sure she didn't beat them. Yet, beat them, she did. Now she is on the cusp of making it in the big leagues of American racing. Chrissy Wallace is showing other young drivers, male and female, how to do it the right way, and that hard work will make your dreams come true.
william...I think Erin's sugar daddy has moved on. Erin is a good driver. It's hard to make it in NASCAR though. I could see Chrissy and Steven racing together in Cup in 4 or 5 years. That is, if Steven still has any cars left to drive by then.
I think it is outstanding that she is racing on the big stage. I see her in a Cup car during the 2010 season - after one full season in the trucks.
I see the fire in her to not only compete at the Cup level, but to also stand up to the other drivers in the pit; aka Kevin Harvick vs JP Montoya and Jeff Gordon vs Matt Kenseth; or Kyle Busch and his helmet vs any passing car that takes him out of the race.
Thanks for the great insight and background Hanahan!
Mr. PB...Thanks. Although I'm not sure that she'll be ready for Cup after only one year in the trucks. She might need a season or two in the Nationwide Series.
She definitely has the Wallace competitive spirit and determination.
I think Chrissy has a real good shot to win next year. I will be looking forward to seeing her in the truck races. I also love Tony even more for helping Chrissy and getting her some additional exposure this year. Go Chrissy! Go Tony! Go Jr!
Hi there, chickee. Tony sponsored Chrissy's Late Model car at Hickory Speedway last year. It was a cool looking car. I couldn't get a picture of it to post with this story though.
mose...Chrissy looks like she could be the real deal. Her 1st start 18th, and on the lead lap. Plenty of stars in NASCAR right now who didn't do that well in their 1st race. Plus, winning 5 races as a rookie at Hickory ain't bad either.I have some more of these planned already for the next month or so, every couple of weeks.
I have searched every source and resource, and I can't find anything about a woman winning an open-wheel race anywhere. I think it's one of those internet rumors.
Kudos to Chrissy Wallace for following her dream, and taking the right steps to get there. It is hard work to get to the Cup series, but I think her family has her best interests at heart to give her the seat time needed. Whether it be in CTS in 2009 and then perhaps NWS before graduating to the Cup cars.
Hanahan its good to see women are stepping up and proving they can play with the big boys and compete... I bet she could whoop J.Gordons arse in a closed cage death match
Yeah Lori, that's right. Dan Patrick the CNNSI sports radio guy. He beat Chris Berman in a celebrity go-kart race. They had to surgically insert Berman inside and he couldn't let up off the throttle. Tragically he ran head-on into the turn 1 fencing. Guess they should have installed a restrictor plate, huh?
Hanahan- Great post to a great up and coming driver! She just needs to keep her eyes out for Lauren Wallace (sp?) but otherwise, she'll be a force those boys to reckon with soon enough!
Gerrel...It would be nice to see her make it all the way to Cup. Makes me feel old. I remember seeing her race at LMS in the Bandalero when she was a little kid.
Lori...I heard Germain was looking to get her in some ARCA races this year, but I don't believe this is one of them.
Not looking good for me to make the race.X^( I'm still finishing up a project in Memphis. Should have been finished by now, but one of the P.M.s stays on his computer too much. I've only made it home to Charleston once since Christmas. My brother and some friends are going, so hopefully they'll be sober enough to get some pictures.
Another couple of years on this course and Chrissy Wallace might find herself in the big show and that will be interesting! More power to her and any others that want to work hard and prove themselves!
Schrader's supposed to be in it just at RIR. Then Sterling may get in it at Darlington and LMS if Dario's not ready. Hell, Dario wasn't ready before he broke the ankle. Schrader said he's scheduled to get back in the #70 for the next few races after RIR.
Han, do you remember, years back, when Dale, Jr., called Todd a "cueball headed SOB" after a Busch race? It was really funny. I also remember that Jimmy Spencer called Dale, Sr., a SOB for not attending a charity event the year Dale died. Sr., was racing in the "24" and didn't go to the event. Wonder how Spencer feels about that now?
volfan...yes, I do remember both of those. I think the one with Dale Jr. and Onion was at Pikes Peak in the late 90s?? Also, once at Bristol, on my scanner, I heard someone call Geoff Bodine a "bald-headed, SOB." Can't remember which driver it was though.
if she is like any of the wallace that have race i think she should do really well.I know the guy want give her much of a break but she will get the respect from the drivers. I have to say this if someone was to wreck her on purpose I woul hate to be that person because he better look out when he is own the track because i think he will be ganged up on
