After
867 career starts in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, Kenny Wallace may be facing the end of the line.
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| Kenny Wallace, "a bozo in a plain black car." |
The nine-time Nationwide Series winner has
sponsorship from American Ethanol and Family Farmers for just five races this
season, including the just-completed Drive For COPD 300 at Daytona
International Speedway. Now,
Wallace has been informed that unless he is able to secure additional backing, his run with RAB Racing will likely come to an end.
“(Team
owner) Robby Benton came to me and said, `We’re going to run you for first five
races of year,” revealed Wallace today. “`If we don’t have any sponsorship
after that, I’m going to have to sell the ride.’ He’s already got some little
rich kids calling about buying races, so I may be out of the car pretty soon.
“I’m
heartbroken,” said Wallace. “I worked my ass off last year to get my dignity
back and prove to everyone that we could still run up front. And look at me now,
running around like a bozo in a plain black car. It’s demoralizing. I can’t
find any more money, so it looks like I’m not going to be a full time driver
this year. If I don’t have any money after California, the ride will go to
whoever has money. Robby has to pay his crew, and I understand that.
Wallace
said he will not go down without a fight, however. “I’m a grown man, and I’m on
my knees begging. It costs $100,000 to sponsor us for one race, but at this
point, make me an offer. Sponsor me for a week and you can own me for the year.
I’ll do whatever it takes for the next 12 months. Use my face, use my name, use
me any way you need to use me.
“I
just want to race.”
I have $5.00. OH how I wish that would help Kenny! My favorite of the all the Wallaces, Kenny deserves to be in a car like a fish deserves water. My heart breaks listening to what what he has been through and continues to go through just to do what is in his blood. God Bless you Kenny!
ReplyDeleteI wiah I had that kind of money to spend Herm. I would give it to you with no strings attched. Your a good driver,husband and father. Ive met you and talked with you. I used to cook in the NNS. But had to stop because of a medical condition. I am trying to come back now myself. But at this time Icouldnt even buy you a tire. But if I can do something let me know, And I will do my best.
ReplyDeleteChef James Lupo.
2004 NASCAR Crew Chef Challenge Champion
Hard to beleive, that as hard as Herm works for his sponsers, nobody will step up for him
ReplyDeleteSee ya and good ridance!!!
ReplyDeleteThat sucks. If I had lottery money, I'd start a dream team and fund it out of my pocket with no sponsorship money, no wrapped car, no logos. Just racers with heart. I'd put Skinner, Horn, Bodine, Benson Jr, and Herm in rides for as long as they wanted them. Not only would you be taking home the trophies, but the new kids could see how its really done. We need to keep these guys in the sport. NASCAR is better for having them on the track. The rookies are better for having them out there. And its just a better product. Good Luck Herm. I'll play the 'ol lucky numbers for ya!
ReplyDeleteThis guy is a class act... Come on SOMEBODY step up and sponsor this guy... Kenny works his ass off..seems like Rab racin could of at least made sure his car was in top shape before sending him out in the dual's...
ReplyDeletePlease find the $ to keep racing , last thing we need is another EX racer on TV trying to be funny ( MIKEY WALNUT IS PROOF OF THAT )
ReplyDeleteLet's face the facts. Kenny is a marginal racer at best. To secure sponsors you must win races. Kenny hasn't won a race in NASCAR for over 12 years. I'm suprised he has lasted this long. Hopefully this ride can be filled by someone who can win races.
ReplyDeletei agree, Kenny is the favorite wallace. Hang in there Herm, another opportunity will come.
ReplyDeleteWe love you Kenny.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Rusty Wallace??? He should help him.
ReplyDeleteLOL,I think Stephen has seen to using up Rusty's money! When you destroy on average 2 cars per weekend for a few years,it would kinda skinny down the ol' piggy bank,and thus, RWR is no more and everything is up for sale!
DeleteI can see it now... I win a $100k in the lottery, and I go through it in a week on a NASCAR sponsorship... and then watch me try to explain it to the wife!
ReplyDeletevery sad
ReplyDeleteRobby Benton (team owner ) is not overly keen on how Kenny is portraying the situation.
ReplyDeletePut Johnny Benson in the car. Fast, past champion...he'll win races
ReplyDeleteIt's a darn shame that we discard drivers like yesterday's newspapers all for the latest flavor of the week. Kenny has worked his butt off, earned the respect of everyone in the garage, and can sell anything to anybody. Who could say no to his personality? It really eats at me that we put 19-20-21 year old drivers in Cup cars way before they've even earned their ride in a Nationwide car. I realize that owners have to go where the money is, and many teams wouldn't be racing without it (hello, Paul Menard). Just a shame that the sponsors get to dictate to the owners who they put in the car. Makes me wish that I was a marketing director right now. For less than the price of one Super Bowl 30 second commercial, I could have Kenny Wallace for the whole year, face plastered all over merchandise, numerous personal appearances, wearing my logo every time he's on SPEED, and a hospitality tent every week to boot. I realize we're still talking a bit of cash, even in these tough times, but it seems that we have slightly misplaced our values. Kenny, if you see this, I've been a fan since way before the Square D days. No one is more deserving. Best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a damn shame if Kenny has to leave the ride. He seems to be a genuine nice guy compared to some of these folks. I'll keep buying lottery tickets and keep my fingers crossed that some company steps up. I would support that sponsor for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhy bother having a COMMENTS section when you do not POST ant comments other than the first 2 ?
ReplyDeleteKenny has used his MOUTH too much in the past and it hurt him with potential sponsors by ANNOUNCING stuff before it was signed.
ReplyDeleteThis time its the team owner who is questioning his antics.
"But Benton feels Wallace's desperation is undermining his efforts to strike a deal with a potential sponsor. "He thinks what he's doing is generating interest," Benton said. "But at the end of the day, it's making me and our race team look like a couple of asshats and trying to get people to feel sorry for him. That's not productive. You don't want people to feel sorry for you. We're trying to sell a strong, marketable program."
I'm behind Kenny 100%! Always liked him. He's been working his butt off! Give him a good car, he'll probably run well!
ReplyDelete