Rusty Wallace

Russell William Wallace Jr. (born August 14, 1956) is an American former professional stock car racing driver and team owner, who raced from 1980 to 2005 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now called the NASCAR Cup Series), most notably driving the No. 2 nicknamed "Midnight" for Penske Racing.

Prior to stock car racing, Wallace had an extremely successful career in short track and late model racing, winning over 200 races and two track championships in Florida.

Wallace won the American Speed Association championship in 1983 before joining the NASCAR Cup series full time in 1984 where he won Rookie of the Year and the later won the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship and the International Race of Champions in 1991. Wallace won the 1990 Coca-Cola 600 and claimed 55 total wins throughout his NASCAR career. He is often considered among the best short track drivers in NASCAR history with 25 of his 55 career victories coming at short tracks. He won a career best nine races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Wallace also won an additional three exhibition (non-points) races in his career, including the 1989 Winston All-Star Race and the inaugural NASCAR race in Japan at Suzuka Circuit.

For the accolades over the course of his successful career, Wallace has been inducted into the three main motorsports halls of fame including the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2013), the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2013), the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2014) and additionally the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (2010). He was named as one of the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers class in 1998, and one of 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

Since retirement, Wallace has transitioned into a commentator role for NASCAR events; he also designed Iowa Speedway and operated his own racing team called Rusty Wallace Racing.

Early life Russell William Wallace Jr. was born on August 14, 1956, to his parents Russ Sr. and Judy Wallace. He was the oldest of 3 brothers Mike and Kenny. He grew up in Arnold, Missouri just outside of St. Louis and attended Fox High School.

Wallace's father was also a prolific race winner himself, Wallace and his two brothers grew up around the race track and would often serve as a member of their father's pit crew. He went on to become one of the most successful drivers in the Midwest from 1974 to 1978, winning more than 200 races. Then In 1979, he won the United States Auto Club's (USAC) Stock Car Rookie of the Year honors, finishing third in points behind A. J. Foyt and Bay Darnell with two wins and eight top-tens. In 1981, he finished second in the USAC Stock Cars championship standings, behind Joe Ruttman with two wins and nine ton-tens Wallace would race one more time during the 1980 Winston Cup season, where he would claim a 14th-place finish at the National 500 on October 5.

Wallace would continue to race sporadically in the Winston during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. His best finish during this period came at the National 500 on October 11, 1981, where he finished in 6th place. On October 3, 1982, Wallace won the prestigious short track race the Winchester 400 after leading 75 laps. Wallace later won another short track crown jewel race in 1985 at the All American 400, leading for 225 laps.

By 1983 it was clear that Wallace was one of the more talented young racers in the sport; however, the one thing he was lacking was a major short track championship, which would help him get a full-time major-team NASCAR opportunity. And so, in 1983, Wallace finally raced a full American Speed Association schedule. He had competed most of the tour the previous two years and ended the 1981 season with the Winchester 400, but due to missing a few races it had kept him out of championship contention both years. Throughout the season Wallace ultimately emerged on top. Over the opening seven races, he paced the field for 477 laps, though frequent mechanical issues kept knocking him out of contention. He then hit a strong midseason stretch followed, with five top-five finishes in six races, putting him back in championship contention. He officially moved into the lead after finishing fifth at Coeburn in August. The fall portion of his season featured a standout victory at Michigan International Speedway, giving him his second ASA win on a NASCAR superspeedway along with enough top-ten results to hold off his competitors. All Wallace had to do to secure the championship was just have a decent finish at the final race in Nashville, which he was able to do. Winning the 1983 ASA championship while beating out future NASCAR stars such as Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, and Dick Trickle. along with two fifth-place finishes and four further top-tens. These performances resulted in Wallace winning NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors and finishing 14th in the final points standings.

Wallace stayed with Cliff Stewart for 1985 but this time, he drove the No. 2 Alugard Pontiac. He started the year with a top-ten finish at the Daytona 500, On April 26, he claimed a fifth-place finish at Bristol after leading for 28 laps, he secured another fifth-place finish the following race at Darlington on April 14. In 29 total races, Wallace had two top-fives and eight top-tens finishing the year in 19th-place.

By the end of the year, Wallace had finished the year with two wins, four top-fives, and sixteen top-tens in 29 total races. This results landed him a sixth-place finish in the points, notching this his first top-ten finish in the standings in just his third year.

1987 season In 1987, Wallace gained sponsorship from Kodiak tobacco, establishing the No. 27 Kodiak Pontiac livery his early career is most remembered for. Wallace started off the year with back to back third-place finishes at Richmond and Atlanta. On April 26, Wallace finished in second place to Dale Earnhardt at Martinsville. On June 28, Wallace claimed his first series pole at Michigan with a 42.168 time, he ended up finishing the race in fifth place. On August 10, Wallace won his first race of the season at Watkins Glen International, he followed this up with a fourth-place finish at Michigan on August 16. On August 22, Wallace once again finished in second place behind Earnhardt at Bristol, Wallace would once again finish in second to Earnhardt for the a third time the following race on September 6, at Darlington. Wallace would pick up his second victory of the season on the second two last race of the year at Riverside after a misfortune caused by an aggressive battle for the lead in the closing laps between Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine, resulting in Wallace being able to pull ahead.

By the end of the year, Wallace had accumulated two wins, nine top-fives, and sixteen top-tens in 29 races. He finished 5th in the final points standings.

1988 season Wallace started off the 1988 season with a seventh-place finish at the Daytona 500 and Richmond on February 14, and the 21st respectively. Just like last season Wallace finished in second place behind Earnhardt at Atlanta on March 20. finished with back to back fourth-place finishes on Bristol and North Wilkesboro on April 10 and 17. On June 12, Wallace would get his first win of the season at the final race ever run at Riverside as he pulled away during the final restart. Just two races later on June 26, Wallace would claim his second win of the year at Michigan beating out Bill Elliott as he led the final 29 laps of the race.

Wallace picked up back to back second-place finishes Watkins Glen and at Michigan at on August 14 and 21, respectively. Then during a practice session at Bristol the following week on August 27, Wallace's car lost control and slammed on the turn 4 wall before barrel rolling five times on the straightaway. It took rescue officials - including Jerry Punch - 15 minutes to extract him from the wrecked car. According to Wallace, he nearly choked to death from a ham sandwich he ate before practice. He ended up fishing in ninth-place during the race the following day. Wallace won his first pole of the season at Martinsville on September 25. The following week on October 16, Wallace was able to notch another victory at North Wilkesboro, on the final lap of the race, Geoff Bodine moved Wallace up the track in the first turn, giving Bodine the lead. However, heading into the final turns, Wallace was close enough to be able to bump Bodine back, eventually deciding to send him up the track, giving Wallace the victory. He then won his third race in a row on October 23, at North, Carolina Speedway once again coming back from a two lap deficit and proceeding to dominate the second half of the race.

Wallace would end the season by claiming his second pole of the year and winning his sixth race at Atlanta. Despite the strong performance, Wallace's victory was still not enough to win the Winston Cup as Bill Elliott was able to secure the title with an 11th-place finish resulting in Wallace finishing in second place, 24 points behind Elliott.

Winston Cup Victory 1989 season

Coming off a strong season the year prior Wallace scored an early pole and victory at the start of the 1989 season on March 5, at North Carolina beating out Alan Kulwicki. Two races later on March 26, Wallace picked up his second win of the year at Richmond following the assist of a late caution and a fast final pitstop, Wallace would pull away from the field on the final restart with 17 laps left. On April 9, Wallace was able to secure his first ever victory at Bristol and his third of the year managing to make a late race charge to the lead, passing for the lead with 43 laps left in the race. Wallace claimed his second pole of the year on April 16, at North Wilkesboro. On May 21, Wallace won The Winston in a controversial fashion, by spinning out Darrell Waltrip on the last lap.

On June 11, Wallace won his third pole of the year at Sears Point International Raceway however he would end of finishing in second to Ricky Rudd. His fourth pole came the following week on June 18, at Pocono Raceway. He then finished in second place to Bill Elliott at both Michigan on June 25, and Poconco on July 23. Wallace then got back to his winning ways on August 23, at Watkins Glen holding off Mark Martin to claim his fourth win of the season. Wallace then claimed a second consecutive victory the following week at Michigan on August 20, dominate a majority of the race, leading 162 laps. Wallace's sixth and final win of the year came at Richmond on September 10, with Wallace running the last 129 laps of the race on one tank of fuel finally getting the better of his rival Dale Earnhardt and sweeping Richmond that season. Wallace then began to climb to the top of the standings late in the season with five top-ten finishes in his next five races including a second-place finish at Rockingham on October 22.

Wallace's championship run all came down to the final race of the season on November 19, at Atlanta with Wallace needing an 18th-place finish or better to secure the championship. During the race, he was able to overcome late race issues to claim a 15th-place finish to beat out close friend and fierce rival Dale Earnhardt (the race winner) by twelve points, winning his first and only Winston Cup of his career.

1990 season In 1990, Raymond Beadle switched sponsors, to Miller Genuine Draft. The four-year sponsorship deal was tied specifically to Wallace, meaning it went to whichever team Wallace went. The 1989 championship year was reportedly marked with acrimony between him and Beadle. However, Wallace was stuck with the team for 1990 due to his contract.

Wallace started off the 1990 season with a seventh-place finish at the Daytona 500, then following multiple top-ten finishes, Wallace placed second at Martinsville on April 30, to Geoff Bodine. Wallace then won his first race of the season on May 27, at Charlotte after a dominant performance leading 306 of the 400 laps in the race. His second and final victory of the year came soon after at Sonoma on June 10, which once again came in a dominant finish at the end of the race which he led most of. He came up just short of back to back wins finishing in second place at Ponoco the following week to Harry Gant. Wallace would once again place second on August 25, at Bristol. Wallace would close out the year claiming back to back poles at both Phoenix and Atlanta. He would finish the year in sixth place with two wins, seven top-fives, and six top-tens.

Switch to Penske Racing 1991 and 1992 In 1991, Wallace took the Miller sponsorship with him to Penske Racing, and he continued in the No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac. On April 14, Wallace won his first race of the season and his third overall at Bristol, after winning the pole Wallace fell behind but was able to overcome a two-lap deficit and hold off Morgan–McClure Motorsports driver Ernie Irvan. His only other victory of the year came at Pocono on July 21, Wallace would manage to conserve enough fuel to run until the last caution flag was given on lap 174. After the red flag was given out on lap 176, a two-hour rain delay would delay the restart. After the rain delay, NASCAR mandated that all drivers start their cars and run behind the pace car until lap 179, where NASCAR would declare the race official, handing Wallace the victory and the 20th of his career. Wallace would win his only pole of the season at Richmond on September 7, he would finish the year in tenth place with two wins, seven top-fives, and five top-tens.

In 1992, Wallace would not get his first top-ten finish until April 12, at Bristol he would then finish in second place to Davey Allison the following race at North Wilkesboro on April 26. Wallace's only victory of the year came at Richmond on September 12, despite this being his only victory it was a satisfying one as it was the first win for Wallace in a car which arguably was his best known chassis for his career, one affectionately known as "Midnight" after the win. With this nickname, the car raced for six seasons, carrying various race wins before being taken out of the fleet in 1997. Later on in the year, he would claim the pole at Phoenix on November 21, Wallace would finish the year outside of the top-ten in 13th with one win, along with seven top-fives and top-tens.

1993 season The 1993 season was arguably his most successful season despite two major accidents at Daytona and Talladega, in which his car went airborne and flipped several times. He won the second race of the season on February 28, 1993, at North Carolina Motor Speedway dominating late stages of the race and leading for 203 laps. He then finished in second place the following race at Richmond. Prior to the first race of the year at Bristol in April, Wallace's friend and reigning NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki was killed flying into Bristol. Wallace would then go on to win the pole and the race itself, and during his victory lap he paid respect to Alan Kulwicki, he did a "Polish victory lap"—turning his car around and driving around the track the wrong way, as made famous by Kulwicki. For the rest of the year following every victory Wallace won, he performed a "Kulwicki victory lap. Wallace would carry this momentum and won every race in April including North Wilkesboro on April 18, and Martinsville on April 25.

Wallace's fifth came on July 11, when he became the first person to win at the New Hampshire International Speedway with Wallace pulling away on the final restart with 27 laps remaining. This was followed by a second-place finish at Pocono on July 18, and another one at Bristol on August 28. Wallace would then secure his sixth win of the year on September 11, at Richmond after leading for 206 laps. Wallace would win a second consecutive race the following week at Dover after winning the pole. Wallace would manage to comeback from a one-lap deficit partly caused by a wreck Wallace had caused by hitting back of Hut Stricklin's car, causing a five-car pileup. The following race Wallace would claim another second-place finish at Martinsville, before winning his eighth win of the year at North Wilkesboro on October 3. Later in the month of October 24, Wallace would win his ninth race of the year at Rockingham cutting down Earnhardt's lead to 72 points. Wallace then closed out the season with his tenth win of the year at Atlanta. Even though he won an impressive ten of the 30 races, he still finished second in the final points standings, 80 points behind Earnhardt. He ended the season strong, finishing in the top-three in all but two of the final ten races of the season.

1994 season

Penske switched to Fords in 1994. He then finished in second place to Ernie Irvan at Richmond on March 6, and picked up another second-place finish on April 17, at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The following race at Martinsville on April 24, saw him win the pole and fend off Irvan to complete a comeback from a speeding penalty midway through the race, retaking the lead on lap 433 to win his second race of the year. The month of June was a successful run for Wallace as he opened it up with a win on Dover June 5, once again holding off Irvan. Then on June 12, Wallace picked up a second straight victory and a pole at Pocono, in a one-lap shootout to the finish Wallace would be able to fend off the rest of the field to complete a dominant race performance after leading 141 laps. He then successfully completed the sweep of June after winning his third in a row at Michigan on the 19, after managing to come back from a slow pit stop, passing the leader with five to go in the race.

Wallace would claim his sixth win of the season on August 27, at Bristol as he fended off Mark Martin during the final 36 laps of the race. He would then win his seventh of the year on September 18, successfully sweeping both Dover races of the season. Running with barely any fuel and a punctured left rear tire, Wallace was able to coast to the finish line, running at 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) under caution. Wallace would also sweep Martinsville winning his eighth and final race on the track the following week on September 25, leading 368 of the 500 laps. Wallace would finish the year in third place with eight victories, seven top-fives, and two top-tens.

1995 season During the 1995 season, Wallace claimed a second-place finish behind Jeff Gordon at Bristol on April 2. Two races later on April 23, Wallace claimed his first victory of the year at Martinsville. He was able to dominate the majority of the race when it was called off at the 356 lap for darkness with delays of the race coming from a rain delay. This marked Wallace's 40th career victory. On August 5, he claimed another second-place finish at Indianapolis falling short of Dale Earnhardt. Wallace won his second and final race of the year at Richmond of September 9, being able to dominate most of the race due to his fast pitting throughout the race. He would claim two more second-place finishes later on in the year at North Wilkesboro on October 1, and Rockingham on October 23, respectively. Wallace would finish the year fifth in the standings, with two wins, thirteen top-fives, and four top-tens.

1996 season

In 1996, sponsorship changed from Miller Genuine Draft to Miller beer sponsorship. After securing three top-ten/five finishes to start off the 1996 season, Wallace would claim his first win of the year on April 21, at Martinsville after managing to pass Jeff Gordon late in the race to secure the victory. His second win would shortly thereafter on May 5, at Sears Point Raceway with Wallace pulling away late in the race. Wallace would earn his third win of the year at Michigan on June 23. He managed to drive a conservative race for the last 52 laps to take the victory. Just three races later, Wallace would come up victorious for the fourth time that year at on July 21, at Pocono as he pulled away on a late restart during the final 14 laps. Wallace's fifth and final win of the year came on August 24, at Bristol where he led for 353 of the 500 laps. Wallace would end the year inside the top-ten, finishing seventh in points with five wins, three top-fives, and ten top-tens.

At the end of the 1996 season, NASCAR hosted its first of three exhibition races in Japan, the first of two at Suzuka. Wallace was the winner of that first race.

End of the decade 1997-1999

In 1997, Miller changed the team's sponsorship to Miller Lite, replacing the black and gold with a blue and white scheme. Wallace won his first and only race of the 1997 season early in the year on March 2, at Richmond. In post-race technical inspection, Wallace's engine was found to had failed to "meet compression ratio specifications" according to NASCAR technical inspector Kevin Triplett. At the time, the engine compression ratio was 14:1. On Monday, March 3, NASCAR would run another test. The official test results came to 14.001:1, which while slightly over, was within the guidelines and would allow Wallace to keep his victory. On April 13, Wallace would win the pole at Bristol; however, he would end up placing second to Jeff Gordon in the race. Later on in the year, he would claim another 2nd-place finish at Bristol on November 2. Wallace finished the year in ninth place in the standings with one win, six top-fives, and three top-tens.

To start out the 1998 season, Wallace won the Bud Shootout at Daytona, a non-points race for the previous years pole winners and past winners of the race. It was the first win for Ford's new Taurus, and Wallace's second victory at NASCAR's premier track (as well as his only victory in any restrictor plate race) in a Cup car. He would claim a second-place finish at Rockingham on February 22. Throughout the year, Wallace would claim four pole wins two of those came at Bristol on March 29, and August 22 the other two were at Dover on May 31 and Richmond on September 21. His first and only win of the year came late in the season at Phoenix on October 25, the race was stopped after 257 laps due to inclement weather; Wallace led 196 of those laps. Despite winning just one race on the year, Wallace finished the year fourth in the standings with twelve top-fives and six top-tens.

Just like the previous year, Wallace only claimed one victory during the 1999 season which came at Bristol on April 11, Wallace also won the pole and led for 425 of the 500 laps. Wallace won three more poles throughout the season at Watkins Glen on August 15, New Hampshire on September 19 and Dover on September 26. He finished eighth in the standings that year with six top-fives and ten top-tens.

2000 season Wallace meeting US Air Force General Hal Hornburg before the start of the MBNA 400 Winston Series race at Dover Downs on September 24, 2000. Wallace started off the 2000 season with a fourth-place finish at the Daytona 500, he then won the pole at Rockingham the following race on February 27. Wallace won his firs race of the season at Bristol on March 26, this win also secured his 50th career, becoming the tenth driver in NASCAR to win 50+ races. He is also the only driver in NASCAR history to win his first and 50th career victories at the same track, and in the same race. Wallace would claim his second pole of the season at Martinsville on April 9, and his third at Richmond on May 6. Wallace would finish in second place to Bobby Labonte the following race at Indianapolis. Shortly thereafter on August 20, Wallace won his third race of the year at Michigan. He would sting together a second consecutive victory the following week at Bristol after winning both the pole and successfully sweeping Bristol on the season in the process. He finished the year with six top-fives and five top-fives fishing seventh overall in the standings.

Wallace did not win any races during the 2002 campaign, he did win one pole at Dover on September 22, and claimed two second-place finishes at Bristol, Indianapolis and Phoenix throughout the year. He still managed a top-ten finish at the end of the year with five top-fives and nine top-tens. In 2003, Penske Racing switched to Dodge and appropriately, he once again went winless on the year and Wallace finished in 14th place in the standings with two Top 5's and nine Top 10's.

In 2004, Wallace claimed a second-place finish at Bristol on March 28. Then two races later on April 18, Wallace would claim his 55th and final victory of his career at Martinsville after starting 17th. He would also win the pole at Charlotte on May 22. He finished the year in 16th place.

On August 30, 2004, Wallace announced that the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season would be his last as a full-time driver. Although at the time the possibility remained that he may have continued to run a limited schedule after the 2005 season—as semi-retirees Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte also have done, Wallace's broadcasting contract at the time prevented him from doing so. Kurt Busch would replace Wallace in the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in 2006–2010. In 2011, Brad Keselowski began driving the number 2.

In 2006, Wallace returned to his General Motors roots when he raced a Crawford-Pontiac sportscar, painted black and carrying the familiar stylized No. 2. The car was sponsored by Callaway Golf, in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, teamed with Danica Patrick and Allan McNish, In 2008, his Nationwide Series cars switched from Dodge to Chevrolet.

Wallace finished his career with the 1989 Winston Cup Championship, 36 career poles, and 55 career wins. As of 2022, the 55 wins is 11th on NASCAR's all-time wins list. They include victories at Charlotte as well as the series' last three road courses (Riverside, Infineon and Watkins Glen), but none at Daytona, Darlington, Indianapolis, or Talladega. He has the most short track wins in NASCAR history with 34, and therefore he is considered among the best short track drivers in NASCAR history. He retired after the 2005 season with a 14.4 career average finish.

In 2014, Wallace ran at Daytona for testing before the 2014 Daytona 500 as part of a promotion for Miller Lite's 40th anniversary, marking the first time a NASCAR Hall of Famer has driven in a NASCAR test. When asked about the testing, Wallace stated, "It all started at Homestead. I was standing between the 48 (Jimmie Johnson) and 2 (Brad Keselowski) cars joking around and those guys were egging me on to get back in a car and when Brad got wind of it, he called me up two weeks later and was serious about it and Roger (Penske) was all for it. Everyone in the world has been on me to test. 'Why haven't you been back in a car?' This here kind of got me."

Major crashes Wallace's legacy, besides being a close rival of Dale Earnhardt, was a number of severe wrecks he endured, especially at restrictor plate racetracks. The first one happened in 1983, when Wallace was attempting the Daytona 500 through the Gatorade Twin 125's. He was tapped by Rick Wilson, got airborne, and went on a spectacular series of flips that left him hospitalized. His next flip came at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1988. What started it was unclear, but Wallace somehow managed to climb the wall and did a barrel roll. The roof of his car caved in. ESPN commentator Dr. Jerry Punch was the first responder, and possibly saved his life. In 1993, Wallace had two massive flips – both at plate tracks. The first was at the 1993 Daytona 500, where he was tapped by the crashing cars of Michael Waltrip and Derrike Cope, and barrel rolled multiple times in the grass on the back straightaway several feet in the air. Months later, at Talladega, racing to the checkered flag, Wallace was tagged from behind by Dale Earnhardt, turned backwards, and flew into the air before violently flipping in the grass past the start-finish line, breaking a wrist (the area where Wallace's car wrecked has since been paved over). Earnhardt was visibly shaken by the incident and did make sure Wallace was okay by checking on him after the race had concluded. Wallace finished 80 points behind Earnhardt in the final points for 1993. He also had an airborne crash in his last Gatorade Twin in 2005 when Dave Blaney clipped his right rear tire and sent his car off the ground. The car never turned over though.

Other racing Wallace made his debut in International Race of Champions in 1989 and won his debut race at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, he started the race in last place and went on to win the race marking the first time an IROC driver had won after starting in last. During the 1991 IROC, Wallace lost the first race however he then went on to the next three races at Talladega, Michigan, and Watkins Glen which is the record for season victories. This resulted in Wallace winning the series championship. In total he participated in the series nine times from 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2000.

A year after his retirement in 2006, Wallace competed in a PRA Big Car Series open-wheel race at the Stafford Motor Speedway. Wallace went on to win the race holding off both Al Unser Jr and Sammy Swindell.

On April 1, 2015, Wallace tested a Stadium Super Truck owned by former NASCAR driver Robby Gordon, and the following day, he announced he would race in the series' X Games round in Austin. After finishing last in his heat race, he was relegated to the last-chance qualifier. he finished sixth in the event but failed to qualify for the feature.

In 2016, Wallace competed in the Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Daytona. Driving for "Ferrari of Houston", Wallace finished tenth overall and third in the Professional, North America class.

Legacy

Wallace finished his NASCAR career with 55 total victories, 349 top-tens and 36 poles. He is often regarded among the best short track and road course drivers in NASCAR history. For 16 straight seasons from 1986 to 2001 Wallace won at least one race in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series the third longest winning streak in history. He also led 19,951 total laps throughout his career. At the time of his retirement he ranked among the top five money winners in NASCAR history with nearly $55 million in earnings.

Awards and honors Wallace was inducted into the Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2013, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013. Making him one of 20 racers to compete the "triple crown" of America's auto racing halls of fame.

In 2005 Wallace was awarded the Silver Antelope Award presented by Scouting America for outstanding service to young people within one of the organization's divisions. In 1998 he was Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and was later honored as a legend by the museum in 2006.

Following his retirement in 2005 Wallace received a plethora of honors. He was named NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year Award recipient. The AARWBA Rick Mears “Good Guy” Award for his longtime cooperation with the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. Wallace was a recipient of the Myers Brothers Award recipient for outstanding contributions to stock car racing. He also awarded North Carolina's highest civilian honor Order of the Long Leaf Pine by governor Michael F. Easley and Delaware's highest civilian honor the Order of the First State by governor Ruth Ann Minner. Additionally Rusty Wallace day was declared in multiple states such as Texas, Alabama, Virginia, Delaware and the city of St. Louis where he was also given the key to the city.

Wallace was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2023 Wallace received the Buddy Shuman Award for efforts and contributions made to advance the sport. On May 3, 2024, Wallace served as the Grand Marshal for the ASA Tar Heel 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway. He also served as the Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, 2026.

Records and milestones

With 55 career points-paying victories, Wallace is ranked eleventh among the all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners; he is ranked tenth (in a tie with Bobby Allison) among those who have competed during the sport's modern era (1972–present). Wallace won the final two races at Riverside International Raceway in 1987 and 1988 Inaugural winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1993 Winner of the inaugural NASCAR race at in Japan in 1996 Only driver to win three straight races in the IROC in 1991 at Talladega, Michigan, and Watkins Glen, also tied a series record for wins in a season with 3 He signed a six-year deal with ESPN in 2006. He returned to commentate for the 2007 Indianapolis 500 won by Dario Franchitti. He co-hosted NASCAR Angels with Shannon Wiseman. Wallace worked with ESPN from 2007 to 2014 until their contract with NASCAR expired.

Since the 2015 Daytona 500, Wallace has worked with Motor Racing Network as a booth announcer.

Car owner

Up until 2012, Wallace owned and operated Rusty Wallace Racing, which fielded the No. 62 Pilot Flying J Toyota Camry driven by Michael Annett and the No. 66 5 Hour Energy Toyota Camry driven by his son Steve Wallace. This operation was temporarily suspended due to the loss of sponsorship. However, Steve Wallace confirmed on his Twitter account that the team would return for the Nationwide Series race at Richmond in May 2012 in a former Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang, powered by a Roush-Yates engine in the No. 4 sponsored by LoanMax Title Loans. Due to lack of sponsorship in 2013, Wallace's team ran one race in a No. 66 entry finishing 25th at Charlotte, then closed at the conclusion of the season.

Personal life

Family Wallace's brothers, Kenny and Mike, also used to race on the NASCAR circuit. He and his wife Patti have three childrenGreg, Katie, and Stephen along with multiple grandchildren. Stephen raced full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and made his Cup Series debut during the 2011 Daytona 500, making him the fourth member of his family to compete in the Daytona 500 and in NASCAR, behind the Bodines (Geoff, Brett, and Todd), Pettys (Lee, Richard, and Kyle), Earnhardts (Ralph, Dale, Dale Jr. and Jeffrey), and the Allisons (Bobby, Donnie, and Davey).

Wallace's father, Russell Wallace Sr., died on October 30, 2011, at age 77.

Wallace's niece Chrissy and nephew Matt also went on to compete in the NASCAR O'Reilly and Truck Series respectively.

Charity work Wallace serves on the board of directors of The NASCAR Foundation as the head of its development committee, a position he has held since the organization's founding in 2006. He does a majority of the fundraising through his annual motorcycle ride through Sturgis, South Dakota which he started in 2019. Wallace and his car dealership in Knoxville, Tennessee also hold multiple motorcycle rally's which raise funds for hospitals, youth programs and other local organizations. In total Wallace has raised millions of dollars for multiple causes.

Other endeavors and interests Since 1994 Wallace has served as the principal stakeholder in the Rusty Wallace Automotive Group, which consists of nine dealerships In Tennessee, featuring prominent car brands such as Ford, KIA and Toyota.

In 2010 Wallace helped create the Rusty Wallace Driving Experience, which was a company that offered the public a chance to drive a stock car at various racetracks across the United States. Wallace stepped away from the company in 2015 when he began to venture into broadcasting. However it continued up until 2024 when Wallace removed his name from the business and it eventually shut down in August of that year.

In 2019 Wallace co founded Southern Country Customs, a premier builder of custom motorcycles which he works on with his son Steven.

Wallace has become a public speaker, he is also a golfer and pilot, having over 12 thousand hours of flight time.

Iowa Speedway

In late 2005, Wallace broke ground on his "Signature Design Speedway" in Newton, Iowa. Iowa Speedway had its first race on September 15, 2006, and hosted many races in 2007 including an IndyCar race. The track is noted for its structural similarity to Richmond International Raceway, where Wallace has won six times. Iowa Speedway hosted its first NASCAR Nationwide Series and first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in 2009. Iowa Speedway hosted their first NASCAR Cup Series race on June 16, 2024. On December 4, 2023, it was announced that the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race there was officially sold out. The inaugural race was a huge success with guest appearances from Rusty throughout the weekend. The cup series returned to Iowa Speedway on the first weekend of August 2025.

The tracks location 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive is named in his honor.

Endorsements 2003 – Callaway Golf – Callaway Golf Signs NASCAR Driver Rusty Wallace to Multiyear Endorsement and Licensing Agreement. 2009 – U.S. Fidelis – USfidelis TV Campaign Debuts, Featuring NASCAR's Steve and Rusty Wallace. The March 2010 bankruptcy of US Fidelis lists Rusty Wallace Racing as a creditor owed $535,439. 2009 – Lista International Corporation – Legendary NASCAR Driver Rusty Wallace Endorses Lista Products in New Online Video

Other media

Wallace made a cameo appearance in the movie Days of Thunder. He and his brothers all appeared in the Electronic Arts video game NASCAR Rumble. Mike was featured as a Craftsman Truck Series driver, driving the No. 2 ASE Ford (no specific car makes for the Trucks; the real truck was a Ford at the time), Kenny was featured in the game driving the No. 55 Square D Chevrolet (although the game's commercial showed him driving the No. 81 Square D Ford) & Rusty was featured in the game driving his No. 2 Ford, with the exception that the Miller Lite stickers are replaced by Penske Racing stickers similar to current Penske Championship Racing driver Brad Keselowski, whose sponsor is censored by NASCAR's ban on wireless telephone advertising. In the video for "Nowadays" by Lil Skies featuring Landon Cube, Cube can be seen wearing a vintage Rusty Wallace jacket. In 2018 Wallace voiced himself in an episode of Milo Murphy’s Law.

Motorsports career results NASCAR (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Nextel Cup Series NASCAR Nextel Cup Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Pts Ref 1980 Penske Racing 16 Chevy RSD DAY RCH CAR ATL2 BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV NWS MAR CLT14 CAR ATL ONT 57th 291 1981 Benfield Racing 98 Pontiac RSD DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI NWS DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT30 TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL21 MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS 64th - John Childs 72 Buick CLT6 CAR ATL29 RSD 1982 DAY37 RCH BRI ATL35 CAR DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT29 POC RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV NWS CLT MAR CAR ATL RSD 65th 186 1983 DAYDNQ RCH CAR ATL DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV BRI CLT RSD POC MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD NA - 1984 Cliff Stewart Racing 88 Pontiac DAY30 RCH16 CAR26 ATL19 BRI12 NWS28 DAR30 MAR15 TAL31 NSV6 DOV11 CLT15 RSD20 POC17 MCH14 DAY20 NSV18 POC6 TAL12 MCH35 BRI20 DAR4 RCH11 DOV30 MAR13 CLT14 NWS5 CAR26 ATL15 RSD26 14th 3316 1985 2 DAY8 RCH27 CAR9 ATL27 BRI5 DAR5 NWS22 MAR10 TAL37 DOV18 CLT8 RSD24 POC13 MCH26 DAY41 POC33 TAL17 MCH7 BRI12 DAR38 RCH13 DOV31 MAR25 NWS25 CLT30 CAR9 ATL21 RSD36 19th 2867 1986 Blue Max Racing 27 Pontiac DAY8 RCH10 CAR12 ATL8 BRI1* DAR6 NWS10 MAR30 TAL13 DOV26 CLT10 RSD4 POC6 MCH19 DAY8 POC27 TAL35 GLN6 MCH6 BRI14 DAR23 RCH19 DOV13 MAR1 NWS4 CLT8 CAR19 ATL13 RSD8 6th 3762 1987 DAY41 CAR6 RCH3 ATL3 DAR20 NWS9 BRI16 MAR2 TAL6 CLT10 DOV17 POC40 RSD41 MCH5 DAY8 POC14 TAL8 GLN1* MCH4 BRI2 DAR2 RCH17 DOV12 MAR28 NWS10 CLT22 CAR12 RSD1 ATL12 5th 3818 1988 DAY7 RCH7 CAR14 ATL2 DAR25 BRI4 NWS4 MAR16 TAL10 CLT2 DOV3 RSD1* POC3 MCH1* DAY12 POC24 TAL5 GLN2 MCH2* BRI9 DAR2 RCH35 DOV3 MAR3 CLT1 NWS1 CAR1 PHO5 ATL1* 2nd 4464 1989 DAY18 CAR1* ATL31* RCH1 DAR8 BRI1 NWS9 MAR31 TAL10 CLT31 DOV5 SON2 POC22* MCH2* DAY17 POC2* TAL37 GLN1 MCH1* BRI6 DAR4 RCH1* DOV7 MAR4* CLT8 NWS7 CAR2* PHO16 ATL15 1st 4176 1990 DAY7 RCH6* CAR5 ATL24 DAR18 BRI28 NWS7 MAR2 TAL20 CLT1* DOV10* SON1* POC2 MCH17 DAY14 POC3 TAL32 GLN34* MCH3 BRI2 DAR40 RCH5 DOV7 MAR15 NWS8 CLT38 CAR32 PHO38 ATL9 6th 3676 1991 Penske Racing 2 Pontiac DAY27 RCH4 CAR28 ATL10 DAR5 BRI1 NWS32 MAR21 TAL26 CLT22 DOV9 SON3* POC31 MCH17 DAY12 POC1 TAL6 GLN4 MCH3 BRI32 DAR32 RCH3 DOV25 MAR7 NWS6 CLT27 CAR11 PHO5 ATL34 10th 3582 1992 DAY31 CAR26 RCH17 ATL15 DAR11 BRI9 NWS2 MAR31 TAL11 CLT18 DOV3 SON7 POC24 MCH37 DAY9 POC18 TAL11 GLN6 MCH21 BRI10 DAR9 RCH1* DOV16 MAR2* NWS4 CLT37 CAR21 PHO28* ATL6 13th 3556 1993 DAY32 CAR1* RCH2 ATL3 DAR5 BRI1* NWS1 MAR1* TAL6 SON38 CLT29 DOV21 POC39 MCH5 DAY18 NHA1 POC2 TAL17 GLN19 MCH6 BRI2* DAR3 RCH1* DOV1* MAR2 NWS1* CLT4 CAR1* PHO19 ATL1* 2nd 4446 1994 Ford DAY41 CAR1* RCH2 ATL24 DAR33 BRI7 NWS2 MAR1* TAL33 SON5 CLT2* DOV1 POC1* MCH1* DAY26 NHA3 POC9 TAL42 IND4 GLN17 MCH4 BRI1 DAR7 RCH4 DOV1 MAR1* NWS4 CLT37 CAR35 PHO17 ATL32 3rd 4207 1995 DAY34 CAR24 RCH3* ATL10 DAR23 BRI2 NWS4 MAR1* TAL20 SON20 CLT34 DOV9 POC17 MCH3 DAY27 NHA6 POC16* TAL30 IND2 GLN26 MCH5 BRI21 DAR3 RCH1* DOV3 MAR3 NWS2 CLT9 CAR2 PHO4 ATL3 5th 4240 1996 DAY16 CAR22 RCH7 ATL36 DAR4 BRI5 NWS33 MAR1 TAL30 SON1* CLT34 DOV7 POC31 MCH1 DAY31 NHA7 POC1 TAL10 IND7 GLN33 MCH39 BRI1* DAR38 RCH6 DOV2 MAR36 NWS10 CLT8 CAR8 PHO40 ATL10 7th 3717 1997 DAY41 CAR6 RCH1 ATL31 DAR6 TEX37 BRI2* MAR5 SON40 TAL37 CLT2 DOV39 POC22 MCH29 CAL14 DAY6 NHA3 POC37 IND38 GLN3 MCH13 BRI12 DAR43 RCH5 NHA21 DOV16 MAR15* CLT12 TAL10 CAR18 PHO2* ATL32 9th 3598 1998 Penske–Kranefuss Racing DAY5 CAR2 LVS3 ATL4 DAR3 BRI33* TEX12 MAR6 TAL12 CAL34 CLT2 DOV18 RCH3 MCH17 POC42 SON5 NHA4 POC6 IND8 GLN4 MCH23 BRI3 NHA8 DAR7 RCH7 DOV5 MAR28 CLT26 TAL27 DAY5 PHO1* CAR3 ATL20 4th 4501 1999 DAY8* CAR10 LVS9 ATL35 DAR33 TEX4 BRI1* MAR7* TAL41 CAL11 RCH5 CLT31 DOV6 MCH12 POC43 SON4 DAY11* NHA42 POC18 IND8 GLN3 MCH16 BRI18 DAR8 RCH14 NHA6* DOV32 MAR4 CLT8 TAL11 CAR5 PHO32 HOM12 ATL13 8th 4155 2000 DAY4 CAR11 LVS15 ATL32 DAR16 BRI1 TEX4 MAR10* TAL41 CAL8 RCH5* CLT8 DOV14 MCH7 POC10* SON26 DAY3 NHA15 POC1 IND2* GLN34 MCH1* BRI1* DAR30 RCH34 NHA5 DOV8 MAR23 CLT21 TAL8 CAR5 PHO4 HOM15 ATL7 7th 4544 2001 Penske Racing South DAY3 CAR7 LVS43 ATL12 DAR10 BRI7 TEX12 MAR13 TAL13 CAL1* RCH3* CLT14 DOV21 MCH41 POC16 SON5 DAY7 CHI13 NHA43 POC6 IND4 GLN43 MCH17 BRI5 DAR22 RCH5* DOV11 KAN4* CLT7 MAR15 TAL16 PHO15 CAR24 HOM12 ATL12 NHA18 7th 4481 2002 DAY18 CAR8 LVS11 ATL6 DAR7 BRI9 TEX11 MAR16 TAL8 CAL8 RCH25 CLT10 DOV17 POC9 MCH7 SON27 DAY2 CHI25 NHA4 POC40 IND2 GLN17 MCH24 BRI2 DAR22 RCH15 NHA19 DOV15 KAN3 TAL13 CLT5 MAR9 ATL17 CAR27 PHO2 HOM14 7th 4574 2003 Dodge DAY25 CAR6* LVS40 ATL15 DAR16 BRI14 TEX14 TAL37 MAR8 CAL3 RCH10 CLT12 DOV6 POC16 MCH12 SON8 DAY28 CHI32 NHA17 POC11 IND10 GLN37 MCH38 BRI43 DAR36 RCH5 NHA6 DOV10 TAL9 KAN9 CLT13 MAR29 ATL19 PHO33 CAR23 HOM23 14th 3950 2004 Penske-Jasper Racing DAY29 CAR7 LVS10 ATL35 DAR29 BRI2 TEX5 MAR1 TAL33 CAL35 RCH16 CLT10 DOV13 POC32 MCH22 SON28 DAY27 CHI11 NHA30 POC17 IND13 GLN25 MCH36 BRI26 CAL10 RCH10 NHA14 DOV13 TAL26 KAN18 CLT31 MAR10 ATL11 PHO7 DAR18 HOM8 16th 3960 2005 DAY10 CAL10 LVS12 ATL27 BRI13* MAR5 TEX10 PHO36 TAL22 DAR12 RCH19 CLT10 DOV5 POC11 MCH10 SON4 DAY4 CHI12 NHA8 POC2 IND25 GLN6 MCH13 BRI5 CAL15 RCH5 NHA6 DOV3 TAL25 KAN7 CLT24 MAR19 ATL37 TEX22 PHO29 HOM13 8th 6140

Daytona 500 Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish 1982 John Childs Buick 19 37 1983 DNQ 1984 Cliff Stewart Racing Pontiac 27 30 1985 22 8 1986 Blue Max Racing Pontiac 9 8 1987 32 41 1988 5 7 1989 35 18 1990 38 7 1991 Penske Racing Pontiac 8 27 1992 17 31 1993 34 32 1994 Ford 5 41 1995 7 34 1996 43 16 1997 14 41 1998 Penske–Kranefuss Racing 12 5 1999 10 8 2000 5 4 2001 Penske Racing South 12 3 2002 37 18 2003 Dodge 38 25 2004 Penske-Jasper Racing 18 29 2005 36 10

Busch Series NASCAR Busch Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Pts Ref 1985 Rusty Wallace Racing 66 Pontiac DAY4 CAR HCY BRI MAR DAR SBO LGY DOV 40th 550 Olds CLT36 SBO HCY ROU IRP SBO LGY HCY MLW BRI DAR2 RCH NWS ROU CLT3 HCY CAR MAR 1986 Pontiac DAY9 CAR HCY MAR BRI DAR SBO LGY JFC DOV CLT4 SBO HCY ROU IRP SBO RAL OXF SBO HCY LGY ROU BRI DAR36 RCH DOV MAR ROU CLT CAR MAR 61st 193 1987 Shugart Racing 90 Chevy DAY HCY MAR DAR BRI19 LGY SBO JFC5 OXF SBO HCY RAL26* LGY ROU BRI25 JFC RCH16 MAR22 MAR7 32nd 1208 Blue Max Racing 72 Pontiac CLT33 DAR3 CLT4 CAR Shugart Racing 90 Buick DOV13 IRP ROU DOV30 1988 Blue Max Racing 72 Pontiac DAY27 HCY CAR MAR DAR8 BRI LNG 54th 297 Buick NZH13 SBO NSV Rusty Wallace Racing 66 Pontiac CLT30 DOV ROU LAN LVL MYB OXF SBO HCY LNG IRP ROU BRI DAR9 RCH DOV MAR CLT9 CAR MAR 1989 Blue Max Racing 72 Pontiac DAY2 CAR MAR HCY DAR30 BRI NZH38 SBO LAN NSV CLT9 DOV ROU LVL VOL MYB SBO HCY DUB IRP ROU BRI26 DAR41 RCH DOV MAR CLT35 CAR MAR 56th 430 1993 Rusty Wallace Racing 21 Pontiac DAY CAR RCH DAR BRI HCY ROU MAR NZH CLT DOV MYB GLN MLW33 TAL IRP MCH NHA BRI DAR RCH DOV ROU CLT MAR CAR HCY ATL 102nd 64 1997 Penske Racing 2 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL LVS DAR HCY TEX BRI NSV TAL NHA NZH CLT DOV SBO GLN MLW MYB GTY IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT CAL21 CAR HOM 124th - 2004 Rusty Wallace, Inc. 66 Dodge DAY CAR LVS DAR BRI TEX NSH TAL CAL GTY RCH NZH CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR IRP MCH6 BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM ATL PHO7 DAR HOM 76th 296 2005 64 DAY CAL MXC6 LVS ATL NSH BRI TEX PHO TAL DAR RCH CLT DOV NSH KEN24 MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR GTY37 IRP GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV7 KAN13 CLT MEM TEX27 PHO HOM 61st 650

Craftsman Truck Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Pts Ref 1996 Penske Racing 22 Ford HOM PHO POR EVG TUS CNS HPT BRINZH9 MLW LVL I70 IRP FLM GLN NSV RCH NHA MAR NWSSON MMR PHO LVS 92nd 138

International Race of Champions (key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.) International Race of Champions results Year Make 1 2 3 4 Pos. Pts Ref 1989 Chevy DAY1 NZH3 MCH3 GLN8 3rd 58 1990 Dodge TAL7 CLE8 MCH6 8th 26 1991 DAY10 TAL1* MCH1* GLN1* 1st 86 1992 DAY8 TAL6 MCH2 MCH3 4th 47 1993 DAY DAR4 TAL MCH NA 0 1994 DAY6* DAR2 TAL9 MCH3* 3rd 56 1995 DAY5 DAR10 TAL9 MCH7 9th 32 1996 Pontiac DAY12 TAL12 CLT4 MCH7 11th 26 1999 Pontiac DAY9 TAL2 MCH3 IND5 4th 50 2000 DAY6 TAL9 MCH9 IND5 8th 31 NASCAR exhibition victories