Chat Transcript: Kenny Wallace

May 2, 2001
9:46 AM EDT (1346 GMT)

[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Kenny Wallace!

[Kenny_Wallace] I am happy to be part of the new NASCAR online. I am looking forward to talking and answering questions.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nascarfan80] How does it feel to get Geico as a sponsor? Is it a one-race deal or a possible season deal?

Kenny Wallace

[Kenny_Wallace] It is a possible season deal. It came up very quick. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wardfan22] Was there any truth to the rumor that you were going to take over for Ward this weekend?

[Kenny_Wallace] Yes, that is true. How did you know? Haha. Bill Davis was trying to cover all his bases. He thought our team would not race this week. He wanted to know if I could help his driver Ward Burton. It was very nice of him and a good morale shot in my arm.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [ton] Kenny, what are your thoughts going into Richmond?

[Kenny_Wallace] Well, right now I am very determined to capitalize on a track that has been good to me. I definitely look forward to winning the Busch race, and I am looking to try and pull this Winston Cup team out of this no-sponsorship rut we are in.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Jason24fan] I just wanted to ask Kenny what his thoughts were on NASCAR not allowing Crown Royal to come aboard his ride as a sponsor. After all, just like Budweiser and Miller Lite, it is a product that is legal to purchase if you are 21 years of age or older. Thank you.

[Kenny_Wallace] I learned something that I did not know. Network TV does not advertise liquor. It was brought to my attention this week so now I do understand. I cannot remember the last time I had seen liquor advertised on TV. If our car is going around the track, network TV might not show it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [junbug8] You are such a great driver with a lot of potential. What will happen if the funds run out for Eel River Racing?

[Kenny_Wallace] A lot of people want to know what will Kenny Wallace do if Eel River shuts down. I can assure everybody that I will be disappointed but I will put major effort into winning Busch Grand National races. I have run all the Busch races. We have run into a string of bad luck as of late but all in all the BGN car is very competitive. As far as me, emotionally, I am fine. There are a lot of different people that look at my situation in a lot of different ways. Some people think I should cut my wrists. Some people want to make sure I can pay my bills. The truth of the matter is this. I am financially fine and I will always race. We have hit a big speed bump here but I am OK.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [mystee] Kenny, what are your thoughts on the fan sponsored car that frontstretch.com is working on?

[Kenny_Wallace] I think it is a great effort. I want to thank frontstretch.com for doing it. I am embarrassed by it but they have been great. If we can raise enough money to keep us going race to race, then it is great. Once again, I feel very shy and very embarrassed by it, even though it is a good deal. Remember this, even if the team does close down, the money that is given to frontstretch.com will go to a great charity.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [t-bone] Would you like to see October at Talladega raced the same or would you like to have the competitive NASCAR race as we all know it should be?

[Kenny_Wallace] That is a touchy question. Everything has been fine in NASCAR racing up until the last couple of years. I can honestly say it has stunned all of us. I feel that if anybody hits the wall any more that their health is in jeopardy. I think everyone at Talladega feels like if anyone makes a mistake, they might pay for it with their lives. This is all new to all of us. I think everybody is dealing with it hour-to-hour. The CART race at Texas, now that was an incredible decision, but I applaud them for it. We are definitely in a new era of racecars.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dillon75] Kenny, how has the new tire affected your race setups this year?

[Kenny_Wallace] The tire has really made everybody's car push. It seems like there are some really weird setups going on right now. I am happy that my brother Rusty won the race at Fontana with a normal-style setup. The tires all in all have been great. I am happy Goodyear is consistent now and there is no more complaining about the tires. They are safe and consistent but we all have to learn to adapt to them.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [KWallaceFanfrom] You're doing so well in Busch. Would it be so bad to concentrate there for another couple of years?

[Kenny_Wallace] I think that if I concentrated there the rest of this year, if my Winston Cup team closes up, that would be fine, but I have my heart set on Winston Cup. I want to put my effort into Winston Cup. But then again, whatever will be, will be, and that is fine with me.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [hey] Kenny, have you and your family discussed the risks of racing? And how involved is your family in the NASCAR business?

[Kenny_Wallace] It is funny that this question is asked because, as I talk to you, my daughter Brittany is talking to me. She was the first one after Dale wrecked to ask me if I was wearing the HANS device. When I said no, she gave me an ugly face. I have worn one ever since then because when you get those faces you know what these people mean to you. This is what we do. If my dad had been a fisherman, I would have done that. My dad raced and won, and this is just what we do.

[Nascar_Host1] Is there significance in all of your daughter's names starting with a 'B?'

[Kenny_Wallace] Not really. Years ago my wife babysat a blonde-haired little girl named Brooke and we liked the name. We named our first child Brooke, and then once we decided to name 'Brandy' Brandy, we couldn't leave Brittany left out. We call them the Queen Bs. It is a big show around the house every day.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Judi] Hey Kenny, can we expect that "Inside Winston Cup" show to be on again anytime soon? We loved it here in Michigan. Glad to hear about the new sponsor!

[Kenny_Wallace] I don't think Speedvision is going to be on again but I know they are trying to put it on. The problem is the same with ESPN. There is no footage to be shown or talked about because it is the property of the FOX network. As you can tell, it goes deeper than anyone would think, but I am happy to be part of the FOX family and help them out week to week.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [frano] How impressed were you with Rusty's run in California?

[Kenny_Wallace] Not only was I just impressed, but I was very happy that Rusty won. He has a handful of racing career years left. For him to win towards the end of his career is very important to him. I think Rusty winning shows just how much effort that team has put into it. Penske Racing is made up of the most unbelievable effort so I congratulate that whole bunch. They deserve it because they got out of it what they put into it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Hendrick] Is there any truth to the rumor that you may go to the #4 Kodak ride, and that is why Kevin Lepage has not been signed yet?

[Kenny_Wallace] I can tell you that all the rumors have been true, but once again, I repeat myself. I have been offered a lot of rides -- thank god!!!! BUT, I have a contract that I must abide by. So for me to accept any offer, I cannot go against Eel River Racing. We will try till the end to keep Eel River Racing going. It is my responsibility.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [cossy18] Kenny, with all the young talent we have seen come up in the last few years, how hard is it to stay competitive with them, and of course the veterans?

[Kenny_Wallace] History repeats itself. Racecar drivers are like evolution. I can remember David Pearson going out and Darrell Waltrip coming in. It is the way life is but it is funny to see the oldest drivers still winning the races, people like Dale Jarrett at 44 or 45 years old, or people like my brother at 44 years old. I think it is funny that the older drivers are winning most of the races, but like anything, everybody's days are numbered.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [sccandygirl] Kenny, do you follow a physical workout routine to keep in shape?

[Kenny_Wallace] Yes. First of all, I lose 5 pounds every Sunday and I stay physically fit, but as far as something like Mark Martin does, I do not. I work out every winter so I don't get too relaxed.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Eric24] Kenny, congratulations on the new sponsor for this weekend. What do think it will take to get your team turned around and running up front?

[Kenny_Wallace] That is very simple -- more money, because we only have 15 people. We are way behind on all our testing as of now. We really need to be testing at Kentucky weekly, and we need to be in Lakeland, Florida, and Greenville, South Carolina. Something else that needs to be done -- we need to be in the wind tunnel every other week. We need to be researching and developing more horsepower and we need a pit crew that will be there every week. I could go on and on. I have a great group of guys but they need a supporting cast. So much to be done and no money. What I have found out early this year is that all the teams are practicing at Lakeland, Kentucky, road courses, and on and on. We are behind.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [BrianfromMississippi] How did you get the name "Herminator?"

[Kenny_Wallace] When I was a child I got nicknamed "Herman" because I was very hyper and always in trouble. The way the name "Herman" changed to "Herminator" was in 1997-98. I was out qualifying my brother Rusty on a regular basis and his pit crew put in a gold marker on one of our jacks at Darlington, "Herminator." It was perfect and it stuck.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [pepsi24chevy] How do you feel about the new types of safety devices coming out and do you use one?

[Kenny_Wallace] I am VERY happy to see people like Simpson, Bobby Hutchins and the HANS device come out. Drivers are not smart enough as a one-person unit to make these things. I ran the Simpson Safety Device the last two weeks. This week I am going to try Bobby Hutchins' device. We will continue to try and see what is best but unfortunately it means somebody has to wreck and I don't like that part.

[Nascar_Host1] Do you follow any sports other than racing?

[Kenny_Wallace] Oh yes, big time! I constantly follow the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. I watch them on FOX sports channels and I watch the standings regularly. I am hoping to get back to St. Louis and watch some games but I am very prideful of the St. Louis Blues also. And of course, they moved my St. Louis football team to Phoenix, so it was a little difficult to root for the Rams, but they are a St. Louis team and our town is what it is all about.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [southboston] I had the honor of attending college (H-SC) with Rusty's son. Tell me, are you as wild as your brother?

[Kenny_Wallace] You are talking about Greg Wallace. Greg is quiet around me. I don't think he wants to see uncle Kenny react to his craziness. Greg is a very smart individual and I am very proud of him. The big news in the Wallace family is that Greg is going to try his hand at racing. He will then make his decision on what he wants to do with his life. We support him in anything he wants to do.

[Nascar_Host1] What's your favorite thing to do when you get that rare off week, like over Easter?

[Kenny_Wallace] Well, lets just put it this way. Easter weekend we took two buckets of plastic eggs, hid them around our property and watched the girls hunt for them. Not a lot of time to really go on vacation. We just do what we do and nothing is really planned much. I guess you could say my off time is just being at home but we definitely take the yearly cruise in December. That is about it.

[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Kenny has for us today. Thanks Kenny! What are your final thoughts?

[Kenny_Wallace] I want to thank everyone for logging in. I am looking forward to getting to Richmond. I love racing. See ya later!