Carl Long Announces Mike Wallace for 2025 Daytona 500 in No. 66 Ford
In a surprise announcement Thursday, Carl Long, a sporadic yet dedicated team owner in the NASCAR Cup Series, revealed that he has hired racing veteran Mike Wallace to compete in the prestigious 2025 Daytona 500. Wallace, a familiar name in NASCAR circles and part of the renowned Wallace racing family, will drive the No. 66 Ford for Long’s team.
Wallace, now 64, comes from a well-known racing family that includes his brothers Kenny and Rusty Wallace, both of whom achieved significant success in NASCAR. While Mike Wallace’s full-time Cup Series days are behind him, the 2025 Daytona 500 will mark an exciting return to the series for the veteran, who has amassed a storied career in NASCAR across multiple decades. He’s known for his resilience, strong presence on superspeedways, and a deep understanding of the unique dynamics at Daytona International Speedway.
For Long, this partnership is a testament to his commitment to both the sport and giving experienced drivers another opportunity in the spotlight. Long, who has owned and operated the No. 66 car sporadically over the years, is known for running a low-budget operation that occasionally finds itself making a statement on the track. His team has never been a full-time fixture on the circuit but has often seen success when it enters races, particularly when fielding seasoned drivers.
Long’s choice of Wallace, a driver who last ran full-time in the Cup Series in 2005, speaks to a strategy that blends experience and familiarity with the NASCAR landscape. Wallace has made a career of competing on superspeedways like Daytona, where his knowledge of pack racing and his skill in drafting will serve him well as he takes on the best in the business in the opening race of the 2025 season.
“We’re excited to be working with Mike,” Carl Long said in a statement Thursday. “He’s a seasoned driver with a ton of experience, particularly at Daytona. We’re not pretending we’re going to be the favorites, but we know Mike can hold his own out there and give us a chance. It’s an honor to have him behind the wheel of the No. 66 Ford.”
The announcement has generated some buzz in the NASCAR community, with fans both curious and excited to see Wallace back in action on such a big stage. Known for his perseverance in a career that has included stints in the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Trucks, Wallace’s return to NASCAR’s biggest race promises to bring some nostalgia as well as renewed hope to fans of the sport.
While Long’s team will undoubtedly face challenges against larger, more well-funded teams, the Daytona 500 is known for its unpredictability. In 2024, there were several surprising results, with smaller teams taking advantage of the race’s chaotic nature. Wallace, a savvy veteran, will need to capitalize on that same unpredictability if he is to make a serious run at a strong finish or even a surprise win.
For Wallace, the opportunity represents a return to a place where he made his mark early in his career. Having competed in multiple Daytona 500s over the years, including a notable run in the 1990s and 2000s, Wallace understands what it takes to navigate the treacherous turns of Daytona and the high-speed drafting battles that dominate the race.
As the 2025 Daytona 500 approaches, fans are eager to see how the combination of Carl Long’s team and Mike Wallace’s seasoned skill set will come together. The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one, and with Wallace at the wheel of the No. 66 Ford, the Daytona 500 is sure to be an event to watch.
