As the Daytona 500 approaches, the list of open entries grows. With all the fanfare and drama of a blockbuster movie premiere this year, the plot thickens as an unexpected contender attempts to shake up the field. At 65 years of age, this seasoned racer is ready to trade in years of experience for the thrill of the track, armed with a resume boasting multiple wins at the Daytona International Speedway.

While skeptics raise an eyebrow at the age gap and the influx of new talent, our intrepid driver remains unfazed, prepared to show that the race isn’t just for the young; it’s also for the bold. However, he has also expressed his honest feelings toward his ability to take part in the race, acknowledging his backup route in case everything doesn’t go according to plan.

Mike Wallace’s career restart and prospects

At 65 years old, Mike Wallace, sibling of Rusty and Kenny Wallace, is eager to compete in the Daytona 500 with MBM Motorsports, feeling optimistic about his chances despite it being a decade since his last NASCAR Cup Series start. As the race date approaches, the growing number of entries makes securing a spot even more challenging, but his team remains determined.

With only four open entries available, Wallace faces stiff competition. He has previously qualified for the Daytona 500 11 times and notably achieved a P4 finish with Phoenix Racing in 2007. When he made the field, he averaged a starting position of 25.72, demonstrating his capability to compete at a high level. Wallace is not just relying on his talent, though; he is also relying on practice; he has a Plan B.

Wallace told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, “I did tell my kids… that there’s practice, right? That’s a plus in my corner… Look, my life is way more important than anybody else’s. So, if something doesn’t feel right to me, I’ll just call it, ‘Hey, we tried.’ And we’ll put somebody else in that baby. I don’t think that’s going to happen; at least, I hope not.” Wallace is not willing to compromise on his health whatsoever. This is better understood by taking into context that their family just lost his wife, Clara, to cancer in 2024.

Wallace’s family has been through times lately and despite the desire to race at Daytona, Wallace knows the importance of staying healthy. However, he did emphasize that it is unlikely that he would pull out of the race. So if he does make it to the tracks after all these years, how does he plan on bridging the gap in cars, tech, and talent of young blood?

He continued, “Once you know how to do it, you know how to do it. If you keep yourself mentally sharp, physically sharp, (you can do it)…  I was a talented race car driver; I won at the Daytona International Speedway three times and had numerous top-10 finishes in a variety of classes. I feel confident.” Having finished in the top 10 of the Cup Series Daytona 500 on three occasions, Wallace certainly knows what it takes to run up front. While he has not won a Daytona 500 Cup race, he did win the Xfinity race, Winn-Dixie 250, at Daytona in 2004. Wallace won the 250-lap race while driving for Biagi Brothers Racing. He also notably won Daytona’s inaugural Truck Series race in 2000, driving for Ultra Motorsports. Wallace started in 2nd and led 59 laps of the 250-lap race.

Mike Wallace and MBM Motorsports face a significant challenge this season, with an unusually high number of open cars expected—potentially the most in over a decade. This could lead to five or more drivers missing out on the race before Sunday. “You know, the more cars that are in these qualifiers [the more] exciting, and the sport needs that right now. We need excitement. NASCAR’s been part of my life for many years,” he added.

Despite the odds, the 65-year-old Wallace remains confident about securing a spot in the 40-car field. “You know, I just feel confident. I don’t know what anybody else’s opinion is,” he added. With his confidence soaring high, let’s take a look at his competition for the open spot at Daytona.

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Who will Wallace compete with?

Four non-chartered teams have announced their plans to compete for four available slots in the upcoming race: MBM Motorsports with Mike Wallace in the No. 66 Ford, NY Racing featuring J. J. Yeley in the No. 44 Chevrolet, and Live Fast Motorsports with B.J. McLeod in the No. 78 Chevrolet and Indy car champion Helio Castroneves with Trackhouse.

Brazi native Helio Castroneves is certainly the biggest announcement of all, as he is a bona fide legend. A four-time IndyCar Champion will be taking on the banks of the Daytona 500 for the first time. Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 brings foreign racers to NASCAR, just like they did with Shane Van Gisbergen and Kimi Raikkonen in the past.

NY Racing’s J.J Yeley meanwhile poses a significant threat too. He narrowly missed out on the Daytona 500 in 2024 via the Bluegreen Vacations Duel but will look to make his mark this time. Yeley’s best finish on the track is a 10th-place finish in 2013 for Tommy Baldwin Racing.

Additional entries are expected, including Legacy Motor Club’s No. 84 Toyota driven by co-owner Jimmie Johnson, and Beard Motorsports likely fielding the No. 62 Chevrolet. Martin Truex Jr. has confirmed his intention to race in the Daytona 500 before retiring at the end of the 2024 season, though his team remains unconfirmed. Truex Jr. has expressed that he is hopeful for his most recent NASCAR team, Joe Gibbs Racing, to figure out his participation. “I was told (Joe Gibbs Racing) is doing it somehow, so we’ll see.”

Other potential entries include Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Chevrolet and Rick Ware Racing’s No. 15 Ford, which has leased its charter to RFK Racing. If all these teams participate, up to 10 cars could compete for just four spots, leaving several notable drivers at risk of missing out.

As the Daytona 500 approaches, how do you feel about the balance between seasoned veterans like Mike Wallace and the influx of new talent in NASCAR? Who are you rooting for to secure a spot in the race?