M. Wallace to fill in at MB2 as Nadeau recovers

Elwood · May 7, 2003

By Lee Montgomery, Turner Sports Interactive May 7, 2003

5:54 PM EDT (2154 GMT)

CONCORD, N.C. -- MB2 Motorsports has hired Mike Wallace to drive the No. 01 U.S. Army Pontiac while Jerry Nadeau recovers from injuries suffered at Richmond International Raceway last Friday.

Wallace's first race in the car is the Winston Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 17.

"We're appreciative that Mike has agreed to drive the U.S. Army car during Jerry's absence," said Jay Frye, general manager of MB2 Motorsports. "Mike has a vast amount of experience and we're confident that he will do a great job. This is a difficult time, and we are fortunate to have a veteran like Mike, who will help all of us get through it."

Wallace has plenty of experience as a substitute driver. Last year, he replaced Stacy Compton in A.J. Foyt Racing's No. 14 and had one top-10 finish in 17 starts. In 2001, Wallace took over for Jeremy Mayfield in the now-defunct No. 12 Penske Racing ride and nearly won at Phoenix.

In 130 career starts, Wallace's best finishes was second at Phoenix in the Penske Racing car.

Wallace also subbed for Nadeau's teammate, Johnny Benson, last year. Benson was hurt in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, and Wallace replaced him the following week at Chicagoland.

"I think the Army and MB2 Motorsports made a good choice in Mike Wallace," Benson said."He helped out our Valvoline guys last year when I got hurt at Daytona. He substituted for me at Chicago and did a really good job.

"Everyone is in a tough position right now, but Mike has enough experience in this sport to where he can go in and really make things better. They have a good group of guys over there at the Army team. I hope they run good and I hope Jerry gets well and gets back in there as soon as he can. Our side of the shop will do all we can to help Mike and the team out as much as we can."

Wallace has driven in two Winston Cup races in 2003, finishing ninth at Daytona and 30th at Talladega with James Finch's Phoenix Racing.

He's also raced on a limited NASCAR Busch Series schedule with the Biagi Brothers, sitting 12th in the points standings with a best finish of fourth in the season-opening Koolerz 300 at Daytona. The Biagi Brothers' future is uncertain, pending sponsorship, after the May 31 race at Dover.

"First, let me say how much we're all hoping for a speedy recovery for Jerry," Wallace said. "I'm looking forward to helping this team out. It's a very good, quality race team. I fully understand that I'm helping out on an interim basis. The goal is to keep this car good in the points until Jerry comes back. Perhaps, we can even win a few races along the way."

Busch Series regular Jason Keller took Nadeau's place at Richmond, finishing 32nd. The No. 01 team is 34th in the Winston Cup car owners' standings after 11 races.

Nadeau's condition remains serious but stable, a team spokesman said Wednesday afternoon. He is recovering from head, rib and lung injuries at Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia Hospitals in Richmond, Va.