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Pocono: Mike Wallace preview

Team Chemistry has Mike Wallace upbeat for Pocono LONG POND, Pa. (June 4, 2003) - Entering his third points race with the United States Army NASCAR Team, Mike Wallace says he is feeling "very comfortable" in his role as the substitute driver for ...

Team Chemistry has Mike Wallace upbeat for Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. (June 4, 2003) - Entering his third points race with the United States Army NASCAR Team, Mike Wallace says he is feeling "very comfortable" in his role as the substitute driver for the injured Jerry Nadeau.

"I feel we've developed a good chemistry in a short period of time," said Wallace. "As I have said, this is not the easiest of situations, but everyone understands that in order to succeed we have to pull together and that is exactly what we're doing. We made a big improvement from Charlotte to Dover and I truly believe we'll continue to get better."

Wallace's next stop in the No. 01 U.S. Army Pontiac Grand Prix will be this weekend for the 500-mile event here at Pocono Raceway.

"We're going into Pocono with momentum and confidence after last week's performance in Dover," said Wallace. "Though we finished 19th in Dover, the U.S. Army car was a lot better than what the final result showed. I felt we didn't get a fair shake when we got called for a stop and go penalty for the jumping a restart. That really hurt our chances of getting a top-10 finish.

"But in the big picture I am really excited about how well we're jelling as a team. I keep on saying, I want to do well, gain in the owner points and have everything in good shape when Jerry returns."

When it comes to Pocono Raceway, Wallace knows what it takes to be successful at the 2.5-mile oval. The St. Louis native scored three straight victories at Pocono as an ARCA driver with a pair of wins in 1996 and one in 1997.

"Pocono is a unique track with three totally different corners," explained Wallace. "Shifting really comes into play because of the length of the frontstretch (3,740 feet) and the backstretch (3,055 feet). This is a track where the motor runs at a high-end RPM range and has a history of engine failures. Even though Pocono can cause plenty of havoc, I like the challenge it presents and can't wait to compete there in the U.S. Army Pontiac."

Wallace will also compete in Saturday evening's Busch race in Nashville, Tenn. as the driver of the No. 4 Biagi Brothers car. His travel plans are as follows:

Friday
Leave for Nashville following Winston Cup qualifying. If he doesn't arrive in time for Busch qualifying, he will definitely take part in the evening practice session. Following Busch practice, he will return to Pocono.

Saturday
After the final practice for Winston Cup cars, Wallace will leave for Nashville to compete in the Busch race, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CDT. Following the Busch race he will shuttle back to Pocono. 

-mb2m-

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