Kenny Wallace told Kevin Harvick on the Happy Hour podcast how Dale Earnhardt gave him his NASCAR break in November 1988 and how he returned that favor 12 years later by pushing Earnhardt to his 76th and final Cup Series victory at Talladega.
The 1988 Break That Changed Everything
NASCAR wanted to evaluate Wallace before approving him for Rusty Wallace’s new 1989 Xfinity team. Earnhardt told his team, “I know NASCAR needs to approve you to go to Daytona” and let Wallace drive the No. 8 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet at Martinsville in the Busch Series. Wallace finished 12th in that November 1988 race, earning NASCAR’s approval and launching his career.
Both Drivers Buried After Bad Pit Stops
At the October 2000 Winston 500 at Talladega with 15 laps remaining, both Wallace and Earnhardt suffered terrible pit stops that dropped them deep in the field. Wallace’s crew chief Jimmy Elledge called for right side tires only, then got frustrated and changed all four, costing extra time. Wallace looked in his mirror and saw the black No. 3 behind him leaving pit road. They restarted 18th and 19th with four laps to go.
The Big Paw Hand Signal
Wallace and Earnhardt sliced through traffic together, moving halfway to the front. Matt Kenseth picked Wallace off, putting Earnhardt ahead with Wallace directly behind. Earnhardt’s “big paw” came up with the hand signal orchestrating the draft at 190 mph in front of 250,000 fans. Wallace thought about passing but realized in that millisecond he owed Earnhardt everything. Wallace stayed committed, pushing Earnhardt from 18th to first in just five laps.
Wallace almost pulled out to make a pass until he looked in his mirror and didn’t recognize the car behind him. It was his teammate Joe Nemechek running a new cherry red paint scheme instead of his usual green. Wallace thought if he pulled out without recognizing his teammate, they wouldn’t go with him and he’d finish last. So he stayed locked on Earnhardt’s bumper all the way to the checkered flag.
After the race, Earnhardt told the media, “If it weren’t for Kenny Wallace, we wouldn’t have won this race.” Later that evening during post race inspection, Earnhardt invited Wallace to his motorhome where they drank Absolut vodka mixed with Five Alive orange juice, Earnhardt’s signature drink he only shared with people he respected.
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