Kenny Wallace going from Nationwide Series race at MIS to Late Models at I-96 Speedway

Kenny Wallace going from Nationwide Series race at MIS to Late Models at I-96 Speedway

Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press
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The most challenging race veteran Kenny Wallace was going to have to run Saturday wasn't the NASCAR Nationwide Carfax 200 at Michigan International Speedway.

It wasn't the evening's Super Late Model race at I-96 Speedway, either.

The problem facing Wallace was how in the world was he going to get from the Brooklyn-based two-mile superspeedway to the three-eighths mile dirt track in Lake Odessa in time for the drop of the green flag?

Fortunately, Wallace has it all figured out. Wallace will park his No. 28 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet in the MIS garage once the checkered flag waves there, then catch a helicopter ride to his next race.

"It's not that I am spoiled, but I will have a helicopter waiting after the Michigan race," Wallace said. "There is no other way we can make it because the Nationwide race starts at 2 p.m., and it is probably going to be a three-hour race. It will get over at 5 p.m., and I won't have enough time to drive over.

"I will have plenty of Pedialyte for the flight and a cold towel."

The 46-year old Wallace enters the Michigan race 18th overall in the season points standings. He made his Nationwide debut in 1988, and his 468 career starts is second all time only to Jason Keller (509).

Wallace will have a pair of challenges facing him at both races. The Nationwide Series will be using its new car for just the second time and the first since the July 3 race at Daytona.

He raced at I-96 a year ago and won the Modified feature after spinning out early in the race and having to go to the back of the pack. He will take on area Late Model standouts when he returns this weekend, and Wallace said he expects the going to be tougher this year. He will be running a Late Model provided by I-96.

"I don't think I have a chance to win this year (at I-96) for the mere fact that it is not my car," Wallace said. "When you jump into someone else's car and you are racing someone else's equipment, you just don't know what to expect.

"I don't run Super Late Models that much, either. I did run the Prelude to the Dream at Eldora, but I only run about three to five races a year. I have raced 30 Modifieds races and won four of them this year, but I'm a little rusty when it comes to the Super Late Models."

This marks the third time that Wallace will race at I-96.

"I'm excited to come there Saturday night and I love the fans and that's the reason I'm coming," Wallace said. "I will sign autographs until everyone is happy."

ONE TO GO
Drivers scrambling for a spot in the National Hot Rod Association's Countdown playoff will have one more race to qualify, and don't write off the drivers who barely sneak in at the last race, either. A year ago, Robert Hight qualified in Funny Car in the final race and went on to win the championship.

The series heads to Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota for this weekend's Lucas Oil Nationals. David Grubnic is hanging onto 10th place in Top Fuel, leading Terry McMillen by 19 points. Tony Pedregon is 10th in Funny Car points, and he is trying to fend off Jeff Arend, who is 33 points behind him.

GOOD LUCK
Mike Quick of Grand Rapids has been selected to sing the National Anthem prior to the start of Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide race at Michigan International Speedway.

Quick was asked to sing the National Anthem for MIS Camping World Truck race two years ago. I asked Quick if he was nervous about this weekend. He said to ask him two minutes before he steps up to the microphone on Saturday.

Check out his previous MIS performance on YouTube.

CANCER SURVIVOR TO BE HONORED
Sprint Cup's Carl Edwards and his sponsor, Aflac, will induct Donald Selfridge of Big Rapids into its Crew of Courage program this weekend. The program honors individuals who have overcome illnesses, accidents and injuries.

Selfridge, a cancer survivor, will have an opportunity to meet Edwards this weekend, and his name will be placed on a feather-shaped sticker that will be applied to Edwards' racing helmet for the remainder of the season.