Legendary NASCAR Driver Kenny Wallace Says Dirt Racing Drivers “Hated Me” After Giving Him a “Shocking Blow…”
Legendary NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace has talked candidly about his unexpected transition from the NASCAR circuit to grassroots dirt racing, revealing an unanticipated level of animosity from local racers early on in his dirt track career. Wallace has had a very unusual trip from NASCAR glory to local dirt track racing. Wallace faced a startling and agonizing reality after a 25-year NASCAR career that included competition in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and several Cup Series teams. “When you are a NASCAR driver, and you try to go race these guys on a local level, they do not like it,” Wallace recalled on the “Herm & Schrader” show.
His arrival was viewed as an intrusion by many local racers, who were afraid that their established dynamics would be upset. “They detested me when I returned here. And I was struck with a startling blow. I was hurt. Indeed, it did. Kenny Wallace’s early passion and achievements were greatly influenced by his family’s racing heritage, as his brothers Rusty and Mike Wallace were prominent NASCAR figures. However, entering the dirt track scene after NASCAR proved to be more difficult than anticipated.
However, there has been a recent improvement in the atmosphere. Wallace has gained more respect and acceptance in the dirt racing scene as a result of his commitment to racing, which includes working on his cars on his own. “Now, I’m not crying,” he continued. I’ll tell you why I work on my own projects. And now they finally realize that I drive a racecar when I arrive at the racetrack by myself.” Wallace also addressed the physicality of racing in her remarks regarding the challenges faced by women in motorsport, which were made by former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick. Wallace stated, as Newsweek Sports previously reported:
I think Danica Patrick would concur. She made a highly contentious [statement] when she essentially stopped racing, but everyone agreed with her… Because racing is difficult, it is simpler for men to win. It’s challenging. We have been young in certain races. And we emerge from that vehicle looking like a wet noodle.
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule Regular Season
Feb. 2: Winston-Salem (Clash) – 8 p.m., FOX Feb. 16: Daytona 500 – 2:30 p.m., FOX Feb. 23: Atlanta – 3 p.m., FOX Mar. 2: Austin – 3:30 p.m., FOX Mar. 9: Phoenix – 3:30 p.m., FS1 Mar. 16: Las Vegas – 3:30 p.m., FS1 Mar. 23: Homestead – 3 p.m., FS1 Mar. 30: Martinsville – 3 p.m., FS1 Apr. 6: Darlington – 3 p.m., FS1 Apr. 13: Bristol – 3 p.m., FS1 Apr. 20: Off (Easter) Apr. 27: Talladega – 3 p.m., FOX May 4: Texas – 3:30 p.m., FS1 May 11: Kansas – 3 p.m., FS1 May 18: North Wilkesboro (All-Star) – 8 p.m., FS1 May 25: Charlotte – 6 p.m., Prime Video June 1: Nashville – 7 p.m., Prime Video June 8: Michigan – 2 p.m., Prime Video June 15: Mexico City – 3 p.m., Prime Video June 22: Pocono – 2 p.m., Prime Video June 28: Atlanta – 7 p.m., TNT July 6: Chicago street course – 2 p.m., TNT July 13: Sonoma – 3:30 p.m., TNT July 20: Dover – 2 p.m., TNT July 27: Indianapolis – 2 p.m., TNT Aug. 3: Iowa – 3:30 p.m., USA Aug. 10: Watkins Glen – 2 p.m., USA Aug. 16: Richmond – 7:30 p.m., USA Aug. 23: Daytona – 7:30 p.m., NBC Playoffs Aug. 31: Darlington – 6 p.m., USA Sept. 7: St. Louis – 3 p.m., USA Sept. 13: Bristol – 7:30 p.m., USA Sept. 21: New Hampshire – 2 p.m., USA Sept. 28: Kansas – 3 p.m., USA Oct. 5: Charlotte road course – 3 p.m., USA Oct. 12: Las Vegas – 5:30 p.m., USA Oct. 19: Talladega – 2 p.m., NBC Oct. 26: Martinsville – 2 p.m., NBC Nov. 2: Phoenix – 3 p.m., NBC
