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Wally Dallenbach Daytona 24 test notes

NASCAR, NBC Star Wally Dallenbach Prepares For 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona - 20-plus years of Road Racing Experience and Victories, Ready for Action On February 5-6, 2005 - SPRING BRANCH, TEXAS (January 9, 2005) -- After a successful test ...

NASCAR, NBC Star Wally Dallenbach Prepares For 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona

- 20-plus years of Road Racing Experience and Victories, Ready for Action On February 5-6, 2005 -

SPRING BRANCH, TEXAS (January 9, 2005) -- After a successful test in December, NASCAR Busch Series racer and NBC Broadcast star Wally Dallenbach is poised for victory in the 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Piloting the #74 74 Ranch Auto Racing Riley/Lexus, Wally will be reunited with his driving team from almost ten years ago, co-drivers Paul Dallenbach, Johnny Unser and team owner/co-driver George Robinson. The race begins on Saturday February 5, 2005 and goes through Sunday, February 6, to be broadcast live on Speed Channel.

"There looks to be quite a field shaping up for this year's race," said Dallenbach, who has competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona more than ten times. "It should be a lot of fun out there, and I cannot wait to race at Daytona with my brother Paul and good friends John and George in the #74 Riley/Lexus."

A Rich History in Road Racing

Many NASCAR fans know of Wally Dallenbach as a NASCAR stock car pilot and NBC Sports commentator. What they may not remember is that Dallenbach is one of the premier road-racing experts in the U.S., bringing a wealth of experience and an engineer's sense of precision to road courses. "Road racing is my first love," said Dallenbach. "I've had a lot of success on road courses in IMSA, Trans-Am and NASCAR, but I'm always looking to add another trophy to the mantle."

Dallenbach's racing career spans more than 20 years with more than 300 starts in series including NASCAR Nextel Cup, NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck, IMSA GTS and GTU, and SCCA Trans-Am. He has driven and performed well for some of the biggest names in US racing, including Jack Roush and Rick Hendrick. Dallenbach has also represented some of the largest companies in the world, including Proctor and Gamble, Budweiser and First Union Bank.

His victories are plentiful, but what's most noteworthy in his road racing career are four (4) class wins at the grueling Rolex 24 at Daytona and three (3) class wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring. He was also the youngest SCCA Trans-Am Series Champion when he won the title for the first time in 1985 at the tender age of 22. This was not an easy record to top, but he did so in 1986 with another SCCA Trans-Am Series Championship, joining the elite of the road racing community, which includes Bob Tullius, Peter Gregg and Mark Donohue.

Above all else, Wally has earned the admiration of American racing fans by conducting himself as a gentleman, both on and off the track. His easygoing style and intense competitiveness are universally respected in the racing world. Right now, however, Dallenbach is itching to get back into the #74 Riley/Lexus. "I'm always ready to get back into a corner carving road racing machine," he says. "Just tell me where to show up, I'll bring my helmet and the will to win."

-mm-

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