Steve Wallace Hopes to Mirror His Father Rusty

Wallace posted the 28th best time in the Saturday morning run with a 180.552 mph run.

Steve hopes to be just as good as his father Rusty during his NASCAR career.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Steve Wallace, NASCAR Busch driver of the No. 66, HomeLife Communities/Dodge Motorsports Dodge is the first to admit he's nothing like his father -- former NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Rusty Wallace.

"Dad, he's pretty hyper-active," said the younger Wallace before the press in the Daytona International Speedway infield Media Center on Saturday. "He's like that 7 in the morning or 9 at night. I think I'm a little more laid back then he is."

Laid back or not, the Steve Wallace is "focused" on getting things right as preparations for the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener on Saturday, Feb. 17th continued this weekend at Daytona International Speedway as Wallace and other Busch Series teams recorded their second of a three-day test on Saturday.

A second wave of three-day testing will begin on Sunday.

"I've been working really hard, trying to get my race car to go fast," he added. "But sometimes it gets frustrating when you work all day long and either lose speed or don't gain any."

Wallace posted the 28th best time in the morning run with a 180.552 mph run.

Oh, and by the way, dad says Steve was pulling the media's leg. "He's as hyper as I am," said Rusty who was on hand at Saturday's testing session. "I don't think he's done a lot of interviews with the media so I'm sure he was just being conservative."

Rusty Can't Stay Away:

Speaking of being on hand, Rusty, took a few laps around Daytona International Speedway on Saturday in the No. 66A Rusty Wallace Inc. Dodge.

"I don't' drive competitively anymore, but I like to test drive. As soon as I went out we made four laps and blew up. We're going to change engines and try and get back out by the end of the day."

After several media interviews, he did.

Montoya Watch:

Juan Pablo Montoya, who will be the first foreign driver to race in the Daytona 500 since Christian Fittapaldi in 2003, watched from the sideline during the morning session.

His ride, driven by Kevin Hamlin, posted only the 29th fastest time at 180.542 during Saturday's opening session.

"We're struggling right now," said Brad Parrott, Crew Chief for the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge. "We're throwing everything we can at it but right now we're struggling."

Montoya, who took part in drafting in the afternoon session, will race in the Rolex 24 with Chip Ganassi Racing.

His co-drivers in the No. 01 Lexus Riley will be Scott Pruett and Salvador Duran.

Then he will also compete in the Gatorade Duel, Orbitz 300 and Daytona 500 during the stock car portion of Speedweeks.

Standing Tall:

ESPN on-air talent and former NBA star Brad Daugherty made an appearance in the garage area on Saturday, getting ready for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season.

"I've always been a NASCAR fan and I'm excited to get the season started," said the 7-footer.

"It's a great opportunity for me. I love being around the sport, but I'm sure some folks are saying 'He's too tall to be a driver!"

Along with Daugherty, Rusty Wallace, Jerry Punch, and Andy Petree will make the call for ESPN which kicks off its coverage of the Busch Series with the Orbitz 300 from Daytona in February.

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