Veteran NASCAR driver Mike Wallace’s hopes of a storybook return at the 2025 Daytona 500 have been dashed, as NASCAR announced he would not be approved to compete due to his extended absence from the sport. Wallace, a 65-year-old member of the iconic Wallace racing family, expressed his shock and devastation at the decision, which also leaves MBM Motorsports without a driver or sponsor for the event.
Why NASCAR Said No
The sanctioning body cited Wallace’s lack of recent competitive activity as the primary reason for the rejection. Wallace last competed in a NASCAR national series event in 2020, running three Xfinity Series road course races, and hasn’t raced on an intermediate or superspeedway track since the 2015 Daytona 500.
In a statement, NASCAR emphasized that driver eligibility is determined by “recent activity and performance.” While Wallace boasts an impressive career with 809 national series starts and notable Daytona success, including five top-10 finishes and a fourth-place finish in the 2007 Daytona 500, his long hiatus was deemed too significant to overlook.
Wallace’s Reaction
Wallace, clearly stunned by the decision, took to Facebook to express his dismay:
“To my utter shock and devastation…NASCAR has decided not only to not approve me for the Daytona 500 but at this time (I’m) not approved to race in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series in 2025 but could go through (their) process to possibly get approved for 2026.”
Wallace also revealed that just last week, NASCAR’s president had assured him that he was cleared to compete, heightening his disappointment.
Impact on MBM Motorsports
For MBM Motorsports, Wallace’s disqualification is a major blow. The team was banking on Wallace’s experience and fan appeal to anchor their Daytona 500 effort. Without him, MBM now faces the dual challenge of securing a funded driver and a replacement sponsor at the eleventh hour.
In a statement, the team said:
“We are devastated for Mike and the Wallace family that this opportunity will not come to fruition. For MBM, we must regroup at this late stage with the loss of our driver and sponsor for The Great American Race.”
Wallace’s Daytona Legacy
Wallace is no stranger to success at Daytona, where he’s made 19 Cup Series starts and earned five top-10 finishes. His superspeedway prowess includes wins in the Xfinity Series, ARCA, and the inaugural Truck Series race at Daytona in 2000. Despite these accomplishments, his last Cup start at Daytona came a decade ago, in 2015.
What’s Next?
Wallace could still apply for re-approval for 2026, but the road ahead will likely involve proving his readiness through smaller events or training runs. Meanwhile, MBM Motorsports is working against the clock to finalize its lineup for Speedweeks.
For NASCAR fans, this situation highlights the delicate balance between respecting the sport’s legends and ensuring competitive safety standards. While Wallace’s exclusion is disappointing for many, it reinforces NASCAR’s commitment to prioritizing the readiness and safety of its drivers.
The Daytona 500, set for February 16, 2025, will mark the 67th running of “The Great American Race,” but it will do so without one of its seasoned veterans.
