Russell William Wallace Jr. (born August 14, 1956) is an American former professional stock car racing driver and team owner, who raced from 1980 to 2005 in the former NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now called the NASCAR Cup Series), most notably driving the No. 2 nicknamed "Midnight" for Penske Racing.
Prior to stock car racing, Wallace had an extremely successful career in short track and late model racing, winning over 200 races and two track championships in Florida.
Wallace won the American Speed Association championship in 1983 before joining the NASCAR Cup series full time in 1984 where he won Rookie of the Year and the later won the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship and the International Race of Champions in 1991. Wallace won the 1990 Coca-Cola 600 and claimed 55 total wins throughout his NASCAR career. He is often considered among the best short track drivers in NASCAR history with 25 of his 55 career victories coming at short tracks. He won a career best nine races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Wallace also won an additional three exhibition (non-points) races in his career, including the 1989 Winston All-Star Race and the inaugural NASCAR race in Japan at Suzuka Circuit.
For the accolades over the course of his successful career, Wallace has been inducted into the three main motorsports halls of fame including the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2013), the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2013), the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2014) and additionally the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (2010). He was named as one of the NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers class in 1998, and one of 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.
Since retirement, Wallace has transitioned into a commentator role for NASCAR events; he also designed Iowa Speedway and operated his own racing team called Rusty Wallace Racing.
Russell William Wallace Jr. was born on August 14, 1956, to his parents Russ Sr. and Judy Wallace. He was the oldest of 3 brothers Mike and Kenny. He grew up in Arnold, Missouri just outside of St. Louis and attended Fox High School.
Wallace's father was also a prolific race winner himself, Wallace and his two brothers grew up around the race track and would often serve as a member of their father's pit crew.
Early career and short track racing
Due to his father's background Wallace wanted to race from an early age however after obtaining his driver's license, he technically wasn't old enough to compete. His mother then had to go court and get permission for him to race. He then won his debut heat race at Lake Hill Speedway in Valley Park.
Prior to joining the NASCAR circuit, Wallace made a name for himself racing around in Florida, winning a pair of local track championships, and won the Central Racing Association Rookie of the Year award in 1973. He went on to become one of the most successful drivers in the Midwest from 1974 to 1978, winning more than 200 races. Then In 1979, he won the United States Auto Club's (USAC) Stock Car Rookie of the Year honors, finishing third in points behind A. J. Foyt and Bay Darnell with two wins and eight top-tens. In 1981, he finished second in the USAC Stock Cars championship standings, behind Joe Ruttman with two wins and nine ton-tens
In 1980, Wallace got his first break making his NASCAR debut on March 16, 1980, at Atlanta, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet for Roger Penske. The then 23 year old Wallace started seventh in his first Grand National race and he earned a surprising second-place finish behind Dale Earnhardt. Wallace would race one more time during the 1980 Winston Cup season, where he would claim a 14th-place finish at the National 500 on October 5.
Wallace would continue to race sporadically in the Winston during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. His best finish during this period came at the National 500 on October 11, 1981, where he finished in 6th place. On October 3, 1982, Wallace won the prestigious short track race the Winchester 400 after leading 75 laps. Wallace later won another short track crown jewel race in 1985 at the All American 400, leading for 225 laps.
By 1983 it was clear that Wallace was one of the more talented young racers in the sport; however, the one thing he was lacking was a major short track championship, which would help him get a full-time major-team NASCAR opportunity. And so, in 1983, Wallace finally raced a full American Speed Association schedule. He had competed most of the tour the previous two years and ended the 1981 season with the Winchester 400, but due to missing a few races it had kept him out of championship contention both years. Throughout the season Wallace ultimately emerged on top. Over the opening seven races, he paced the field for 477 laps, though frequent mechanical issues kept knocking him out of contention. He then hit a strong midseason stretch followed, with five top-five finishes in six races, putting him back in championship contention. He officially moved into the lead after finishing fifth at Coeburn in August. The fall portion of his season featured a standout victory at Michigan International Speedway, giving him his second ASA win on a NASCAR superspeedway along with enough top-ten results to hold off his competitors. All Wallace had to do to secure the championship was just have a decent finish at the final race in Nashville, which he was able to do. Winning the 1983 ASA championship while beating out future NASCAR stars such as Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, and Dick Trickle.
Start of NASCAR career 1984-1985
In 1984, following his ASA championship Wallace officially joined the Winston Cup circuit full-time. He drove the No. 88 Gatorade Pontiac for Cliff Stewart. His best race that year was a 4th-place finish at Darlington Raceway, along with two fifth-place finishes and four further top-tens. These performances resulted in Wallace winning NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors and finishing 14th in the final points standings.
Wallace stayed with Cliff Stewart for 1985 but this time, he drove the No. 2 Alugard Pontiac. He started the year with a top-ten finish at the Daytona 500, On April 26, he claimed a fifth-place finish at Bristol after leading for 28 laps, he secured another fifth-place finish the following race at Darlington on April 14. In 29 total races, Wallace had two top-fives and eight top-tens finishing the year in 19th-place.
1986 season and switch to Blue Max Racing
In 1986, Wallace switched teams to the No. 27 Alugard Pontiac for Raymond Beadle's Blue Max Racing team. Wallace started out the year strong with four top-ten finishes and one top-five finish in his first six races. He then won his first NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 6, 1986. During the back half of the season he picked up a fourth-place finish at Riverside on June 1. He also won his second win at Martinsville on September 21, and finished fourth once again at North Wilkesboro the following week on September 28.