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Russell William Wallace AKA “Rusty” is a legend and champion who has left his mark on the world of NASCAR. He is eighth on the all-time win list with his 55 series wins. Before joining the NASCAR circuit, in the 1970?s he became known around the Midwest for winning more than 200 short track races. As a rookie, Rusty started 2 races in 1980 and by 1984 he had raced a full season. That season brought 2 top-fives, a 14th place points finish, and Rookie of the Year honors.

Rusty is known for having a bit of a temper off the track. He once threw a water bottle at Dale Earnhardt after being “intimidated’ by him in the race. On the track however, he raced clean and hard. In 1983 Rusty won the ASA championship while competing against some of NASCAR’s big boys like Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki and Dick Trickle. He is most remembered for driving the #27 Kodiak Pontiac, a new sponsorship he reached in 1987.

Rusty’s Winston Cup Championship came by 12 points in 1989 when he beat out his close friend and fierce rival Dale Earnhardt. His most successful season was 1993 even though he suffered two serious wrecks at Daytona and Talladega when his car went airborne and flipped several times.

Rusty also drove the #2 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac affectionately known as “Midnight”. This car raced for six seasons, carrying many wins before being retired in 1997.

On Aug. 30, 2004, Rusty Wallace announced that the coming ’05 season would be his last as a full-time driver. Even at the end of his career, Rusty never missed a step. He qualified for the Chase and finished eighth in the final standings. Today Rusty owns and operates Rusty Wallace, Inc., which runs the #66 Chevrolet driven by Rusty’s son Steve Wallace in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also has a broadcasting career with ESPN and ABC. Rusty’s fans will forever remember him for his side-by-side scramble for the win with the #3 Chevrolet when both men were at the top of their game in NASCAR.

Born: August 14, 1956
Birthplace: Fenton, Missouri
Awards:
1979 USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year
1983 ASA Champion
1984 Rookie of the Year
1989 Winston Cup Champion
1991 IROC Champion
1998 Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers
Cup Series Statistics:
706 races in 16 years
First race: 1980 Atlanta 500
Last race: 2005 Ford 400 (Homestead)
First win: 1986 Valleydale 500 (Bristol)
Last win: 2004 Advance Auto Parts 500 (Martinsville)
Wins: 55
Top tens: 349
Poles: 36