NASCAR does not approve Mike Wallace to compete in Daytona 500

NASCAR has not cleared former driver Mike Wallace to compete in the Daytona 500, a NASCAR spokesman confirmed to NBC Sports Monday night.

MBM Motorsports announced Jan. 2 that 65-year-old Wallace would drive for the team in its bid to make the February 16 Daytona 500. Wallace would have been the second oldest driver to compete in the Daytona 500.

Wallace has 197 Cup appearances, but none since the 2015 Daytona 500.

He has 497 Xfinity starts and 115 Truck starts. Wallace won the 2000 Truck Race at Daytona and the summer 2004 Xfinity race there.

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A NASCAR spokesperson told NBC Sports that recent race activity and performance are primary factors for consideration, noting that Wallace has not raced at an intermediate or larger racetrack since 2015. Because of that inactivity, he was not approved for the NASCAR Cup Series.

Wallace expressed disappointment on Monday night, writing on Facebook:

“To my great shock and devastation today at 4:00, NASCAR (Vice President of Competition) Elton Sawyer called me to inform me that NASCAR has decided not only to sanction me for the Daytona 500, but at this time ( approved for Wallace) to race in the Cup, Xfinity and Truck series in 2025, but may go through that (sic) process to possibly be approved for 2026.

“This comes as a total shock as the president of NASCAR told me in a real phone call last week that everything was fine and he would see me at Daytona. I owe this post to all my fans and non-fans who have been supportive through the wonderful messages and posts of support as they say that I have inspired them!

“Please – Please show your love and support to Carl Long and the entire MBM Motorsport team as this has now put them in a terrible position as I was not only the driver but also committed to sponsoring the ( sic) Daytona 500 effort, I had sponsorship commitments for m.… Help them get a sanctioned driver and a lot of money! Thank you Doug Yates for being in my corner and supporting us Surely not that Daytona 500-hole road picture doesn’t get.”

MBM Motorsports said on Facebook that it is seeking to sign “another funded driver” to try to make the Daytona 500.