Rusty Wallace
Rusty Wallace
Russell William "Rusty" Wallace, Jr.is a retired American racing driver, and a former NASCAR Winston Cup Champion. Considered one of racing's most well-known and charismatic personalities, he is a member of four of stock car racing's major halls of fame: the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. He also served as the...
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth14 August 1956
CityArnold, MO
This is supposed to be my last race and probably will be. I tell you what, having fun like this makes you want to come back a couple of times.
It really hasn't hit me hard, yet. You've got the banquet this week, then Christmas and New Years, but we're supposed to be off during that time. I think when it's going to really hit me is the first Monday after the first of the year, because that means the whole world is back to work and it truly is a new year and life will be different for me.
I think a lot of his abilities are from genes. But he's still got to learn. Even though he's been to every single track with me during my career, he still has to learn what the car is supposed to do.
I knew when I retired that this is what I wanted to do. I've had a few broadcasting gigs and I enjoyed them.
I like our chances over a 10-race span,
Then, at the end, the lapped cars were really tough to get around on the restarts and that got me way behind,
I'm driving better than I have in a long, long time, ... so it does make you think twice. But on the other hand, I've made the right decision. I want to go out on the top of my game, and I'm doing that right now.
I'm glad it's coming down to these style tracks,
I'm going to watch a little of the truck race and talk to a prospective new sponsor,
I'm going to do it all year long in the two-seater, run all the tracks and get a good idea of what's going on.
I'm not going to be merciless. I'll be a little edgy; I'll speak the truth.
I'm not freaking out or anything. I knew it was coming, and I've been preparing for this moment for a long time. I went out with class.
I'm proud of my team. I'm proud of what I've done and I am going out on top of my game.
I'm really disappointed that Mark has been talked into running that extra year, ... The thing I feel bad about for Mark is that he and I have been out there getting all these accolades, and now Mark's having to say, 'It looks like I'm coming back.'