Mike Wallace, a NASCAR racer, had his hopes dashed when he was unable to qualify for the Daytona 500. The goal was to become the second-oldest driver to qualify for the Great American Race. The 65-year-old is the brother of famed fellow driver Kenny. However, NASCAR has rejected his petition to race, thus he will not be able to participate in the event.
According to a statement from MBM Motorsports, who wanted to compete for one of the four available spots in the 40-card lineup with Wallace at the wheel, NASCAR noted that Wallace has not participated in any races on intermediate or larger circuits since 2015. The group issued the following statement: “MBM Motorsports can attest that NASCAR has determined that Mike Wallace is not eligible to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500, despite eleven previous 500 starts and several superspeedway wins, due to lack of recent races in major professional motorsports.”
‘Shocked and heartbroken’ by the decision to deny him the opportunity to race, Wallace wrote on Facebook: “Daytona 500 NON update! I was completely shocked and devastated when NASCAR competition director Elton Sawyer called me at 4:00 today to let me know that, in addition to not approving me for the Daytona 500, NASCAR has also decided not to approve me to compete in the Cup, Xfinity, or Truck series in 2025, though I may still be able to get approved for 2026 if I go through the process.”
Kenny, Wallace’s brother, has now shared his perspective on the matter. “My message, and I told Chrissy [Mike Wallace’s daughter] this and I’m going to tell Mike this,” Kenny stated on his YouTube page. Mike if you adore racing like I do, go race.”I mean, I’ve spent a million dollars. I did…built a shop up there…paid for my motors. I’ve spent a lot of money living my life out because I love racing….. So my answer to you was very long-winded, but I would tell Mike: Mike, if you want to race, let’s race.”
After learning that he would not be able to compete in the Daytona 500 in February, Wallace told Sports Illustrated how devastated he was. Wallace had thought he would be cleared to participate. “I think it’s devastating and beyond heartbreaking,” Wallace remarked. “It’s because I did what I knew, or thought was appropriate in getting the proper clearances and everything.” “This race was not just about me,” Wallace continued.
There was more to the Daytona 500 than Mike Wallace. It has to do with my family. Today, my children and grandchildren. My wife Carla passed away a year ago on January 22nd, so it was supposed to be a marathon in her honor.In the basement of our home, there are some interesting photos displaying the basement of her and [me] in victory lane. Whether it was Daytona or Talladega, she always loved going to those places. It was more of a storyline. And it was more of a — I kind of had the belief that for some reason this [opportunity] was dropped on me to do this race.”
