| | SUB FOR RUDD | Kenny Wallace to replace Ricky Rudd at Richmond | |
|  | | CIA Stock Photo | Wallace, who was released recently from Furniture Row Racing’s No. 78 Chevrolet, has a history with Yates. | | By Reid Spencer / Sporting News Wire Service Injured in his 900th career start last Sunday, Ricky Rudd will get relief help from Kenny Wallace for Saturday night’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.
Rudd, who is recovering from a separated left shoulder, will miss a race because of injury for the first time in his Cup career, which began 32 years ago at Rockingham. Rudd has announced he will leave Robert Yates Racing at the end of the season and retire from full-time competition.
Wallace, who was released recently from Furniture Row Racing’s No. 78 Chevrolet but has since subbed for Kyle Petty (broken hand) at Bristol, has a history with Yates. Wallace took the wheel of the No. 28 Ford for 10 races in 1994, after the death of Yates driver Davey Allison in a helicopter crash at Talladega in August 1993, and after Allison’s successor, Ernie Irvan, was injured in a wreck at Michigan a year later.
“When we were transitioning in the ’90s, when Davey had his accident, Kenny drove for us for a little bit,” said Doug Yates, co-owner of the No. 88 Fords driven by Rudd. “We had some pretty good performances, and we had a good time – obviously, Kenny’s a talented racecar driver, but he’s also a lot of fun to be around.”
The garrulous driver nicknamed “Herman the German,” feels equally comfortable at the Yates shop, where Rudd worked with Wallace on Wednesday to help ease the transition.
“I’ve known Robert and Doug Yates and Robert’s brother, Richard, I think, since 1989, and, actually, I’ve come into the shop here -- and most of the crew I remember,” Wallace said. “The employees have been here for so long. Me and Davey Allison were good friends, and I’d come in and they’d say, ‘Hey, Herman!’
“So, my comfort level is at an all-time high with this particular team because I’ve been through this with them before, in ’94. And, believe it or not, there’s still a handful of employees here from back then.”
| | Posted September 12, 2007 , 6:37 am EST
Last Updated September 12, 2007 , 7:51 am EST | | | | | | |
