-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
NNS: Q&A With Kenny Wallace
The veteran driver and SPEED NASCAR analyst apologizes; talks about a tough 2012.
Veteran NASCAR driver and SPEED analyst Kenny Wallace spoke about his frustrations this year with sponsorships. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
SPEEDNASCAR RaceDay analyst and long-time Nationwide Series driver Kenny Wallace has struggled to land sponsorship for his No. 9 RAB Racing entry. Wallace, who finished seventh earlier this year in the Nationwide Series race at California Speedway, opened up about this year’s frustrations.
He joined host Steve Byrnes on tonight’s episode of NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED, and here are some of the highlights of what he said.
Steve Byrnes: You came into this season with so many long streaks – the longest consecutive string of races in the Nationwide Series – clarify the situation. Where do you stand right now in the Nationwide Series?
Kenny Wallace: I apologize to everybody, in how this went down. We made an error. We went into the year thinking everything was going to be good. Then some sponsors unraveled, none of our doing, but they were like, “Hey, we can’t afford to be in the Nationwide Series.” $100,000 a race is a lot of money.
Byrnes: That’s what it costs, basically…
Wallace: That, to $150,000. Roush and Gibbs need a $150,000 a race. So what had happened was that those sponsors – UNOH and Federated – (said was) Kenny, we want to keep sponsoring you… so we really didn’t lost them, but we lost them on the race car. When all of that went down, we were short on money. (Team owner) Robbie Benton and all the folks at RAB Racing started scrambling and went to Daytona. We were in trouble going to Daytona. I feel bad for RAB. If we look back at it again, and maybe if we look back on it at the end of last year, we should have said, “Look. Maybe we should find some other drivers that could split a schedule with you.” So now, thank God for Travis Pastrana. He’s come along with seven races and that’s really helped our team.
Byrnes: One of the things I’ve found fascinating about you is, in this era of big corporate sponsorships, you’re the guy still making the phone calls. You’re the guy beating the bushes, looking for money. How much of a heartache is that for you? And, are you prepared to continue doing that as much as you love to race?
Wallace: Kyle Petty said it once. He said, “Kenny’s olds school.” I guess I’m old school. My wife and I are always banging away at that computer of hers every day. It’s been very challenging. One thing that I want to make clear is that there were a couple of people saying that Kenny Wallace is begging for money. That bothered me. I was begging for sponsorship. There’s a huge difference. It is really just hard to get sponsorship.
He joined host Steve Byrnes on tonight’s episode of NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED, and here are some of the highlights of what he said.
Steve Byrnes: You came into this season with so many long streaks – the longest consecutive string of races in the Nationwide Series – clarify the situation. Where do you stand right now in the Nationwide Series?
Kenny Wallace: I apologize to everybody, in how this went down. We made an error. We went into the year thinking everything was going to be good. Then some sponsors unraveled, none of our doing, but they were like, “Hey, we can’t afford to be in the Nationwide Series.” $100,000 a race is a lot of money.
Byrnes: That’s what it costs, basically…
Wallace: That, to $150,000. Roush and Gibbs need a $150,000 a race. So what had happened was that those sponsors – UNOH and Federated – (said was) Kenny, we want to keep sponsoring you… so we really didn’t lost them, but we lost them on the race car. When all of that went down, we were short on money. (Team owner) Robbie Benton and all the folks at RAB Racing started scrambling and went to Daytona. We were in trouble going to Daytona. I feel bad for RAB. If we look back at it again, and maybe if we look back on it at the end of last year, we should have said, “Look. Maybe we should find some other drivers that could split a schedule with you.” So now, thank God for Travis Pastrana. He’s come along with seven races and that’s really helped our team.
Byrnes: One of the things I’ve found fascinating about you is, in this era of big corporate sponsorships, you’re the guy still making the phone calls. You’re the guy beating the bushes, looking for money. How much of a heartache is that for you? And, are you prepared to continue doing that as much as you love to race?
Wallace: Kyle Petty said it once. He said, “Kenny’s olds school.” I guess I’m old school. My wife and I are always banging away at that computer of hers every day. It’s been very challenging. One thing that I want to make clear is that there were a couple of people saying that Kenny Wallace is begging for money. That bothered me. I was begging for sponsorship. There’s a huge difference. It is really just hard to get sponsorship.
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTOMOTIVE
-
GREEN: Porsche Adding All-Model Hybrids
Gas/electric plug-versions of its entire lineup – including… -
AUTOS: Porsche Boosts 918 Spyder Power
The upcoming supercar will produce 887 horsepower from its gas/electric… -
AUTOS: Acura NSX Details Revealed
The rebirth of the mid-engine sports car – now an all-wheel-drive… -
DRIVEN: Jaguar’s Many-Splendored XJ
The British luxury sedan comes in 10 different flavors, with plenty… -
AUTOS: Lamborghini Egoista Launched
The wild single-seat concept car is unveiled at the end of the epic… -
AUTOS: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hot Pontiac G8
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick helped his driver modify the 2009… -
VINTAGE: A Fast Historic Tour Of France
Vintage race and touring cars compete in the 22nd annual Tour de… - More News
