NASCAR insider drops 1-word reaction to driver who last drove in 2015 attempting to qualify for Daytona 500 this year

NASCAR insider Toby Christie expressed astonishment over Mike Wallace joining the field next season. Wallace will attempt to qualify for the upcoming Daytona 500 in an unchartered car with MBM Motorsports.

For the uninitiated, NASCAR allows four unchartered cars to qualify for the "Great American Race" to join the 36 chartered teams. The qualifying session, called Duel at Daytona, will be held on Thursday ahead of Sunday's race.

Christie had a one-word reaction to Wallace's Daytona 500 return, writing on X:

"Wow."

Meanwhile, Wallace expressed excitement over driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang for MBM (Motorsports Business Management) Motorsports on his return to the Daytona International Speedway. He said (via Racing America on SI):

“I am very excited to be teamed up with Carl Long and the complete MBM Motorsports team, along with Doug Yates' support, for a return trip to the Daytona 500 after being away for a few years."

The 65-year-old shared that the 2025 race entry is a new start for him after losing his wife Carla following a battle with cancer. He said:

“2024 was a devastating year for me with the loss of Carla, my wife of 44 years, who passed away in January from a battle with cancer. 2025 brings fresh excitement, starting with this Daytona 500 announcement. They say you have to be in it to win it, and we are rolling into Daytona with the chance to both be a part of and then race to win the Daytona 500."

Mike Wallace's last Daytona 500 entry was with Premium Motorsports in 2015. Driving the No. 66 Toyota, the Missouri native finished 36th and completed 199 of 203 laps. His best finish in the prestigious race was with Phoenix Racing in 2007 when he crossed the line in fourth behind Jeff Burton. Wallace made a few entries in the Cup Series in 2015 and the Xfinity Series in 2020.

The upcoming Daytona 500 will add to the driver's over 800 NASCAR starts, mostly from the second-tier series. Coble Enterprises will sponsor his entry, though the team is still looking for primary sponsorship.

Mike Wallace driving the No. 66 Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2015 - Source: Imagn

The 60-lap Duel at Daytona is scheduled for February 13. If Wallace makes the final cut, he will join the 40-car field for the race on February 16.

---

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports expected to join Daytona 500 as chartered NASCAR teams

With the court granting the preliminary injunction for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, the team should compete in the 2025 Daytona 500 and the rest of the season as chartered teams while pursuing the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.

23XI will field Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace in the No. 45 and No. 23 respectively. The team also added Riley Herbst to the lineup who will pilot the No. 35 Toyota Camry with sponsorship from Monster Energy.

23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, is set to compete as a chartered team - Source: Imagn

However, the transfer of the third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing is still pending because the team didn't include a request in the original filing.

Meanwhile, FRM's request for the SHR charter transfer was approved and the team later announced Zane Smith as its newest driver. Smith will compete alongside Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson in the No. 38 Ford Mustang.

NASCAR will attempt to dismiss the lawsuit in a court hearing scheduled on January 8.