One of NASCAR's Good Guys Gets a Reward

Last Sunday I reported on the sudden suspension of reigning NASCAR champ Kurt Busch. What didn't get as much notice was the scramble that went on to make sure Kurt's car got in the race. Because owner point are calculated separately from driver points (and both have financial rewards at the end of the year), it was important to Jack Rousch and his sponsors to make sure the car stayed in the show and did as well as possible.

Busch series driver Kenny Wallace, who does a NASCAR morning show on Sunday mornings of Nextel Cup races, was literally called off the set in the middle of the show and was asked to drive the 97 car. Kenny had raced the day before in the Busch Series race, but all of his fire suits and other protective gear was already on its way back to North Carolina in his team's hauler. Using borrowed gear, and sitting in a car which was not fitted for him and in which he had absolutely no practice, Wallace went on to drive the 97 car to a 16th place finish, an excellent job under the circumstances.

Since Kurt Busch's suspension continues through the series finale in Homestead, FL this weekend, someone was needed to drive the 97 car one more time, and Jack Rousch decided to reward Wallace's efforts in Phoenix with another weekend in the car. Good for Rousch! Kenny did a great job for him under tough circumstances, and it's only fitting he get a chance to work with the team for one more weekend. I anticipate that he'll do a good job this weekend, and at least he'll get some practice time in the car before the race.

Kenny is one of the real characters in NASCAR, and his infectious laugh and personality have not only endeared him to fans, but have gotten him a lot of media attention as well. It's good to see one of the good guys get a well deserved reward.