LMS: Eric Wallace looks forward to 2006

Eric Wallace; Hoping to put 2005 behind him. The ASA Late Model Series Southern Division on the horizon for the 2006 season.

Lexington, Michigan (12/14/05): The ASA Late Model Series Southern Division is continuing to draw interest from some of the top teams in the Southern region of the United States, registrations and inquires are consistently coming into the ASALM Series home offices in Lexington, Michigan. One of the earliest registrations in the Southern Division comes from another aspiring, young, and talented driver, that being 18-year-old, Eric Wallace.

The soon to be 19-year-old Jasper, Georgia driver has announced his intentions on running the full season with the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division in 2006. In addition, Wallace also hopes to make select appearances in the televised ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division.

"We're planning on running the full Southern Division schedule and a little bit of the TV stuff in the Challenge Division." Stated Wallace, as he talked about his 2006 plans. We also hope to run some Super Late Model races in the South and a few selected ARCA Remax Series shows as well. We can't wait for the 2006 season after the year we had in 05." Wallace added.

With the 2005 season behind him, Eric Wallace and his crew are looking to go full throttle into the 2006 season. "We have had a rough season this year. Every time we get a fast car something happened or it rained." Laughed Wallace. "Despite our disappointing season in 2005 I'm really excited to begin with a fresh start in 2006." Wallace continued. I think making the move to the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division will be a great opportunity to get some much needed exposure. The ASALMS has an awesome schedule lined up and some great race tracks that I can't wait to conquer." Wallace stated.

"We're also going with a different number in 2006. All my fans are used to seeing me in the #22, for the 2006 season, we've decided to change things up and go with the #9 in honor of my late Grandfather." Wallace added. The Peach State driver's Grandfather was the legendary Texas Short Track Star, Jake Wallace Sr.

Wallace is originally from Austin, Texas but now calls Jasper, Georgia home. The Eric Wallace Racing team is currently working on updating all their equipment for 2006, including purchasing the proven Ford Taurus ASA Late Model ride from Richmond, Michigan veteran and the now retired, Bob Varney. "The ASALMS looks to be laying down a good set of rules to help keep the cost down, and being a low budget team was one important factor in deciding to run the series." He ended.

The new season for Wallace will kick of in January with a test at Bronson (FL) Motor Speedway. Site of the Southern Division's first event of the 2006 season on Saturday March 4, 2006. Then Wallace and the crew head to the USA (FL) International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida for the 2006 Speedfest.

Wallace began his career in 1999 in the Junior Late Models and finished in fourth place his rookie season. In 2000, Wallace moved up to the Sportsman division at the Peach State (GA) Speedway and won the tracks Rookie of the Year title at a mere 14 years old!

2001-2002 saw Wallace run the Pro Trucks Series before advancing to Super Late Models in 2003, also at Peach State where he again won the Rookie of the Year title and finished third in the tracks points standings. In 2004, Eric ran in the Southern All-Star Super Late Model series and finished out the season with numerous Top Five and Top 10 finishes. Wallace's consistent runs ended with a fifth place finish in the final points standings and again won another freshman title in grabbing the SAS Rookie of the Year honors.

The next scheduled event for the ASA Late Model Series will be the 2005 Awards Banquet to be held at the Quality Inn/Summit Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Saturday January 14, 2006, beginning at 6pm. The ASA Late Model Series will honor the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Champion, Stephen Leicht, as well as the 2005 Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year, Brian Campbell and the top twenty drivers in the final points standings.

In addition, the GM Performance Parts Winner's Circle participants will be awarded as will the GM Performance Parts Shootout Points Champion, Mark Hartline, along-with special sponsored awards and some surprise awards which will be handed out as well.

The banquet is a semi-formal event and we encourage everyone to put on their best. The ASA Late Model Series will continue with the tradition that started with the first annual banquet to begin the awards presentation first followed by dinner and dancing. Everyone is welcome to attend and to celebrate the 2005 season. Attendance is mandatory for teams receiving awards. Tickets for the banquet must be purchased in advance through the ASALM Series Office.

Also on that same day, the 2006 ASA Late Model Series Owner/Drivers meeting will also be held at the Quality Inn/Summit Center from 9am-Noon. This meeting will be open for all three divisions and its' participants and the ASA Late Model Series management and staff encourages all teams that plan on running with any of the three traveling series in 2006 to attend or send a representative to the meeting.

In addition, the 2006 ASA Late Model Series Southern Division Owner/Drivers meeting is set for Saturday January 21, 2006 at the Quality Inn/Marietta Room in Marietta, Georgia from 10am-1pm. Just a reminder to all teams that plan to attend the January 21st Informational meeting in Marietta Georgia;

It is very important that you register your attendees with the ASA Late Model Series South Office as soon as possible. There is no charge to attend the meeting but we will need an accurate head count to ensure that we are properly prepared. Please register via e-mail or call the Southern Division office at: (770) 630-4571 or you can e-mail Southern Division Director, Randy Rabinowitch at: randyr@asalatemodels.com

For more information about the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Awards Banquet as well as the approaching 2006 season with the ASA Late Model Challenge Division, and the ASA Late Model Series Northern and Southern Divisions; check out the websites at: www.asalatemodelsnorth.com and www.asalatemodelssouth.com

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