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NASCAR drama: Mike Wallace’s Daytona 500 ban sparks MBM Motorsports rebrand to Garage 66

Virgilio Machado by Virgilio Machado
January 19, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Mike Wallace Devastated After NASCAR Denies Daytona 500 Comeback -“Utterly shocked!”: MBM Motorsports Scrambles for a Replacement

Nov 16, 2013; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Mike Wallace during the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NASCAR 2025 season hasn’t even started, but the drama is already turning up the heat. The latest controversy? NASCAR’s decision to bar Mike Wallace from competing in the Daytona 500, leaving Carl Long’s MBM Motorsports scrambling for a replacement driver and a fresh identity. Now, in a bold pivot, the team has rebranded as Garage 66, aiming to reinvent itself under a leaner, more focused structure.

A new era: Garage 66 steps up after Wallace snub

Carl Long confirmed the team’s rebranding in a statement that highlighted the need for streamlining operations.

“For 2025, we are rebranding our NASCAR Cup Series entry to Garage 66. The new name and logo reflect the streamlining of our team to fewer people with higher standards,” Long explained. “Management and accountability become much less stressful with just one car at the track most weekends and many fewer people.”

The rebranding comes in the wake of Wallace’s high-profile rejection by NASCAR, citing the 65-year-old veteran’s prolonged absence from top-tier racing and concerns over his readiness for the grueling demands of superspeedway competition. Fans had anticipated a nostalgic Daytona 500 comeback for Wallace, but NASCAR’s firm stance forced MBM Motorsports to pivot and refocus.

Enter Garrett Smithley: From Xfinity to the Cup

In a move to fill the gap left by Wallace, Garage 66 has signed Garrett Smithley, a driver with 77 Cup starts under his belt, to pilot their No. 66 car. Smithley, who hasn’t competed in the Cup Series since 2022, will make his return at the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium—marking the track’s first Cup Series race since 1971.

Speaking about the opportunity, Smithley expressed excitement about his return to top-level racing.

“It’s awesome to be back in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025. I’ve been talking to Carl for a while now about putting something together, and finally, all the pieces fell into place,” Smithley said. “I am looking forward to running this historic race at Bowman Gray, and hopefully, we can do more together throughout the year.”

The clash at Bowman Gray will be the first test for Garage 66’s new direction, with fans eager to see if the revamped team can deliver on its promise of quality over quantity.

Fan backlash and divided opinions

While the new direction has sparked optimism within the team, NASCAR fans have been less forgiving. Social media has been ablaze with mixed reactions, from criticism of NASCAR’s decision to bar Wallace to skepticism about Smithley’s ability to elevate Garage 66’s performance.

“Wallace deserved a chance! Let the man race!” one fan wrote, echoing the sentiment of those who saw the rejection as a missed opportunity for a Cinderella story. Others were more critical, questioning whether Smithley’s experience was enough to bring meaningful results for the struggling team.

Despite the backlash, Long and Smithley remain focused on the road ahead. The Daytona 500 may no longer be in the cards for Garage 66, but their performance at Bowman Gray will set the tone for what could be a redemption arc—or another uphill battle—in the 2025 season.

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