Mike Wallace, a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner at Homestead-Miami Speedway, piloted the No. 15 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming/GEICO Chevrolet for Billy Ballew Motorsports this past Friday night. In his second race with the team in 2006, Wallace hoped for better results in the series’ season finale, but had to settle for a 22nd place finish in the Ford 200 instead. Billy Ballew Motorsports wrapped up their 10th season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series by finishing 18th in the owners’ points standings with two top-five and five top-10 finishes in 2006.

The No. 15 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming/GEICO Chevrolet started the race in the 29th starting spot. The team had struggled all through practice trying to get the handling to Wallace’s liking. Changes made were not helping or would force the truck to go the other way in handling. After qualifying, the team decided they would see how the race would play out and hope for the best. (more…)

Mike Wallace was so close to picking up the victory at Talladega Superspeedway last month in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ inaugural running at the track. Wallace was running second on the final lap, but contact to the rear of his No. 15 Chevrolet caused him to spin out of control and finish in a disappointing 26th place finish. Wallace, a former winner in the NCTS at this weekend’s venue Homestead-Miami Speedway, has another shot at victory behind the wheel of Billy Ballew’s No. 15 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming/GEICO Chevrolet for Friday night’s Ford 200.

“I’m excited to be going back to Homestead in the No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevrolet and working with Richie Wauters (Crew Chief) and the whole group again,” said Wallace. ”Along with having Miccosukee Resort & Gaming as a primary sponsor on the truck and GEICO, my primary sponsor next year in the Busch Series; everybody I work with is on the truck, so it’s really exciting. I was at Homestead-Miami Speedway testing a Cup car a few weeks ago, so I’m very familiar with the track. I’ve also won at Homestead in the past so I have very fond memories of that race track. I’m excited about showing up on Friday, starting practice and winning the truck race on Friday night. It should be a good race and I’m excited to go.” (more…)

Making His Last Run in the No. 15 Chevrolet for Billy Ballew Motorsports for 2006

Kyle Busch will make his final start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for 2006 on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. Competing in the No. 15 Freedom Grill/KyleBusch.com Chevy Silverado for Billy Ballew Motorsports, Busch hopes to move up one spot from his second place finish last week at Texas Motor Speedway and pick up the victory in the Casino Arizona 150.

“I hope that the success we have had there in the Cup car will translate over to the truck,” said Busch. “I am trying to get Alan (Gustafson, crew chief NNCS No. 5) to give me some shocks and some advice on what we need to do with our Freedom Grill/KyleBusch.com Silverado in Phoenix. I haven’t been too successful yet, so I will see what I can figure out there. I like Phoenix, it is a great place. And the reason I like running the truck out there is that it is basically where they came from- Bakersfield, California is where they came from, but Phoenix was one of the first races that they had, so it would be pretty cool to put my name with all the winners that have won there.” (more…)

Kyle Busch made a bold move following a late caution period and made a big gain in position with the No. 15 Freedom Grill/KyleBusch.com Chevrolet. The big move allowed Busch to get up to contend for the victory for Billy Ballew Motorsports. A green, white, checkered finish enabled Busch to battle the leader for the win, but came up just a snitch short, finishing in second place in the Silverado 350.

“It was a good night for us,” said Busch following the race. “The Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevrolet was strong. We were a little tight through the beginning and middle of the race, but we made some massive changes to try to turn it around and got it better for the end. I have to thank Freedom Grill that made this happen for us tonight, as well as KyleBusch.com. Billy (Ballew, owner), Richie (Wauters, crew chief) and all the guys did it again. They continue to give me a Chevy Silverado to battle up front. Hopefully, we can get the victory at Phoenix in our last race together this year.” (more…)