Mike Wallace and Danny Efland making way to Michigan with boost in morale

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In: Xfinity Series News

Mike Wallace and Danny Efland are making their way to Michigan International Speedway with a boost in their respective team’s morale for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday.

First, both have enjoyed some good runs, as of late. Wallace and the Newt Moore-led team have recaptured their good luck and mojo via some commendable runs. Efland is making his fourth MIS start, so returning to some familiar ground is good for the 23-year old driver.

Secondly, the entire team’s morale has been bolstered by the recent addition of Gary Keller, veteran NASCAR-team owner, to the partnership fold of JD Motorsports. Which, in turn, has caused the team to officially be renamed JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.

Finally, both drivers like the wide-open racing of MIS on its two-mile oval. However, they are both going to be on somewhat even ground with everyone else because MIS has repaved its entire two-mile oval making for unknown factors for all.

Wallace will carry a co-sponsor in Carl Ent, VP and Mortgage Loan Officer for Bank of Ann Arbor, on the No. 01 Chevrolet for this Saturday’s race. Their website www.BoAA.com will adorn the car.

“This is my third year being involved with sponsorship of the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team,” Ent said. “My wife and I are huge NASCAR fans and, like the Bank of Ann Arbor, they are a family-owned business. When we were looking for someone to sponsor for our local race at MIS, we knew Johnny Davis and his people were the perfect fit for what we were trying to achieve. Just like our Mortgage Dept at the bank, we’re out to help our local people with a family approach.”

Mike Wallace Info

  • This will be the St. Louis native’s 13th start of the 2012 season.
  • During that span, he’s achieved five top-20 finishes and led four races
  • He’s completed 2,202 of 2,343 laps (94.4 percent) contested
  • His best finish in 2012 of 15th took place at Charlotte in May
  • Currently 13th in Driver’s Points, he trails 12th by only eight markers
  • In 13 previous starts at MIS, Wallace has one top-10 finish and completed 1,387 of 1,535 laps (90.4 percent) contested
  • His best start was fourth in 1995 and finish of ninth in 1994

Mike Wallace Quotes: “This is going to be interesting with the track being repaved at Michigan. I appreciate the fact we’re getting three practice sessions on Friday to figure our cars out and get a better feel for the track.

“Being repaved is one thing, but this track still demands a great engine package to be successful. The motor guys are working overtime this week to get everything right for the whole weekend.

“I enjoyed my off-weekend watching my son, Matt, race his Late Model at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. He’s been doing pretty good this season and it’s fun to go home and see everyone back home.”

Danny Efland Info: Efland will be making his 45th-career start in NNS competition, sixth of 2012 and third one at MIS. In those three previous starts, the South Carolina-native has completed 243 of 375 laps contested. His best finish this year was 13th at the season opener in Daytona.

JD Motorsports PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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