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RUSTY WALLACE: "LAST CALL" IN 2005; FIRST CALL FOR ESPN/ABC SPORTS IN 2006 Renowned NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, who climbed out of his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge for the last time at the end of the 2005 Nextel Cup Series season, will become lead auto racing analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports. His first assignment will be on-site at the Daytona 500 for ESPN's SportsCenter coverage with host Chris Fowler. Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR champion, will be the ESPN and ABC Sports lead NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series analyst when the networks return to televising NASCAR in 2007. This year he will report from at least 20 NASCAR races for SportsCenter, and will be lead analyst for the 2006 IRL season, including the Indianapolis 500. Additionally, Wallace, whose 25-year career included 55 Cup wins, will serve as analyst for ESPN2's upcoming daily motor sports series. "We're extremely proud that our first new on-air hire, following the announcement that NASCAR is returning to ABC Sports and ESPN, is that of the legendary Rusty Wallace," said Norby Williamson, ESPN's executive vice president, studio and remote production. "Rusty earned the respect and admiration of fellow drivers and fans with his engaging personality and unquestioned racing ability, attributes that will continue to entertain race fans." Wallace, whose 706th career start ended his 2005 season-long "Last Call" tour in the No. 2 Dodge "Miller Lite" car, fell just 28 laps short of leading 20,000 in his career. The 1984 Rookie-of-the-Year ended his 22nd consecutive full NEXTEL/Winston Cup season eighth in the standings, the 17th time he finished in the top 10. "I feel like broadcasting is my calling, and I knew when I retired this is what I wanted to do, so I'm excited to work with ABC and ESPN," Wallace said. "I've had a few broadcasting gigs, and have really enjoyed them. I feel like I am well educated on the cars, NASCAR, the whole industry, and it will be a whole new opportunity to work with other types of racing, like IRL, calling the Indy 500."
Note: All schedules are subject to change |
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