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.”

Wallace, while driving the No. 2 Ford for Ultra Motorsports, picked up the victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 1999. In four NCTS starts at Homestead, Wallace has one victory and two top-five finishes. Kyle Busch drove the No. 15 Chevrolet for Billy Ballew Motorsports in last year’s event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Busch drove his machine from the 15th starting spot to the sixth place in the rain-delayed race.

The Billy Ballew Motorsports team currently sits in 17th position in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Owners Points Standings. With a good run by Wallace, the No. 15 team can maintain their position, as they can’t move up any higher in the standings. With 2007 looming, and plans for next season unknown, Billy Ballew Motorsports would like to wrap the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season on a high note.

The Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season finale this Friday, November 17. Activities will get underway Friday morning with practice slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. EST. Qualifying takes place at 5:00 p.m., with the green flag waving at 8:15 p.m. SPEED Channel and MRN Radio will broadcast the Ford 200 live.