NASCAR denies Mike Wallace to drive Daytona 500 for MBM Motorsports

In a follow up to our January 2nd, 2025 story posted below, Mike Wallace will no longer compete in this year’s Daytona 500, as per this statement from MBM Motorsports:

MBM Motorsports can confirm that NASCAR has deemed Mike Wallace is not eligible to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500, despite eleven previous 500 starts and several superspeedway wins, due to lack of recent races in major professional motorsports. 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. Our team is working swiftly to sign another funded driver for Speedweeks in order to still attempt the 67th Daytona 500. Sponsorship opportunities remain with our No. 66 team: contact us at [email protected] for more.

— MBM Motorsports —

Motorsports Business Management (MBM Motorsports) has announced its entry for the 67th Daytona 500, with veteran NASCAR driver Mike Wallace set to pilot the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Wallace, a 65-year-old Missouri native, brings over 800 starts in NASCAR’s top three divisions, including 11 Daytona 500 appearances. With nine national series wins, Wallace has celebrated victories at both Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway across multiple series, including the Xfinity, Craftsman Truck, and ARCA Menards Series.

“I am very excited to be teamed up with Carl Long and the MBM Motorsports team, along with Doug Yates’ support, for a return to the Daytona 500,” said Wallace. “Daytona holds immense pride and prestige, and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity. After a tough 2024, this announcement brings fresh excitement for 2025. They say you have to be in it to win it, and we’re coming to Daytona with a chance to race and win the Great American Race!”

Carl Long, co-owner of MBM Motorsports, detailed the preparation for the Daytona entry. “After finishing the 2024 season, we began rebuilding the car for Daytona and committed to a Yates engine contract in November. Mike Wallace was the clear choice for this effort. His experience and mental skill at superspeedways make him one of the best plate racers, and I’m confident in his ability to race us into the Daytona 500.”

Coble Enterprises, a long-time MBM Motorsports partner, has signed on as an associate sponsor for the No. 66 at Daytona, with the team continuing to seek a primary marketing partner.

Daytona 500 week begins on Wednesday, February 12, with practice and single-car qualifying, followed by the Duels on Thursday, February 13, to finalize the starting lineup. The 67th Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET.