The saying often used in generational racing families is the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” when a driver’s offspring starts doing well behind the wheel.
However, in the case of NASCAR veteran Mike Wallace, the phrase needs to be plural with his son Matt now winning Late Model races at Lebanon (MO) I44 Speedway. He’s currently second in points trailing the leader by 65 points.
Last year, his sister and Mike’s daughter, Chrissy, won the track’s Late Model championship, the ASA Regional West championship and placed second in the ASA National championship. Matt is currently fourth in the region and seventh in the national rankings.
He’s doing all this in the same No. 6 Late Model his sister drove last year. Just like his sister did, Matt cut his teeth in the Bandolero and Legends cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday nights during the summer.
Chrissy has been attending as many races as possible in hopes of getting her NASCAR career back on track. The biggest hurdle for her, like so many others, is the lack of sponsorship. She recently helped spot for her dad during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Road America.
“I am more ready to go racing now more than ever,” Chrissy said. “I had great success in the Late Model last year and have been talking to all kinds of companies lately to get back into racing. With so many companies looking for a female spokesperson to reach their target marketing demographic, I think backing me would be the perfect avenue to success.
“Matt has been doing great in the Late Model at Lebanon I44. It’s fun to watch him race and encourage him along. I know he’ll be doing the same for me when I get back into NASCAR racing.”
Her career includes multiple NASCAR Truck Series and Nationwide Series starts.
Matt, on the other hand, is happy to be where he is right now. His dad won a Late Model championship back in the day at the same track.
“I’d like to hit the trifecta and become the third Wallace, in our part of the Wallace family, to win a championship,” he said. “This has been a blast driving the Late Model and my mom and dad, family, team, sponsors and everyone has been very supportive. My time in the Legends cars has helped me learn more and taking it to the Late Model has been great for me.”
Chrissy Wallace PR
