Furniture Row® Racing is pleased to announce that NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will be driving for Furniture Row® Racing's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup program for two consecutive seasons commencing in 2007.
Wallace will fulfill his Busch series commitment with PPC Racing at the conclusion of the 2006 season. He will shift his focus to the Furniture Row® Cup program to assist with growth and development for the next two years.
Wallace is no stranger to Furniture Row® Racing. The program hired him to drive the majority of its 2006 Cup races, however his prior Busch commitments kept him out of the driver's seat periodically.
Wallace comments regarding the deal: "It really makes me feel good to have a NEXTEL Cup team that is this dedicated, and has the funds to go the long haul. I really want to thank everyone at Furniture Row Racing, and the 300 Furniture Row® stores throughout the U.S. for choosing me as the driver for the next two years. With a new era of NEXTEL Cup entering in 2007, where there will be no less than 50 cars every week trying to qualify, I am really excited to help build this new team. It will not be easy!! But this is the biggest form of racing in the world, I don't expect it to be easy. I am ready to go."
Crew Chief Joe Garone explains the strategy for continuing the Cup program with Wallace: "Kenny's experience will help build the team, and enhance our level of competition in the next couple of years. We're very excited and honored to have him involved with our program."
Over the years, Kenny Wallace has built a reputation as one of NASCAR's most colorful and well-known personalities. Kenny's popularity continues to skyrocket due in large part to his TV appearances on NASCAR Drivers: 360 and the SPEED Channel's NASCAR This Morning and NASCAR Victory Lane.
The youngest of the three racing Wallace brothers, Kenny was destined to follow his family's footsteps. His father, Russ, was one of the Midwest's most successful short track drivers, and his two older brothers, Rusty, now retired, and Mike Wallace, are also prolific NASCAR racers.
Wallace started his driving career in 1982, and won the Street Stock State Championship in Illinois in his first stint ever behind the wheel of a racecar. He honed his skills working on older brother Rusty's racecars for a few years, but returned to driving by competing in the American Speed Association in 1986. He immediately found success by garnering Rookie of the Year honors. He landed his first Busch Series ride in 1989 when he was also named Rookie of the Year. Through hard work and perseverance, Kenny Wallace has worked his way up the ranks. He's developed an impressive resume by consistently securing rides in the NASCAR Busch and NEXTEL Series. Additional information on Kenny Wallace and the #78 Cup team may be found at www.furniturerowracing.com.
The Furniture Row® Companies are one of the largest family-owned specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers in the country. The Company is comprised of five specialty store brands including: Oak Express®, Sofa Mart®, Bedroom Expressions®, Denver Mattress Company® and Furniture Row Outlet®. Furniture Row® operates over 300 stores in 31 states. More information and locations of stores across the U.S. may be found at www.furniturerow.com.