NASCAR clarifies Mike Wallace Daytona 500 controversy

Earlier this month, Mike Wallace was denied entry into the Daytona 500 with MBM Motorsports, now known as Garage 66. NASCAR made the decision to deny him entry and it caused quite a controversy.

Mike Wallace insists that he was more or less given clearance to race at Daytona. However, that appears to be more like a miscommunication more than anything. Still, Wallace has made multiple online posts against the decision from NASCAR.

During his career, Wallace won an ARCA, Truck, and Xfinity Series race at Daytona. However, he hasn’t been on an oval in NASCAR since 2015. At 65 years old, putting him on the track in the draft could be a risk to him and others.

Today during a media briefing, NASCAR explained there was never an approval given to Mike Wallace. They also said that they have explained to Wallace how he can work his way to making the field for the 2026 Daytona 500.

“NASCAR adds Mike Wallace has been given ‘a road map on how to race next year’s Daytona 500 and we’d love to see him there,'” according to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press.

NASCAR adds Mike Wallace has been given “a road map on how to race next year’s Daytona 500 and we’d love to see him there.” https://t.co/bwfp93VOPz

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) January 27, 2025

Mike Wallace has voiced his displeasure with the ruling. NASCAR has been adamant that they did not give approval to the 65-year-old driver. It sounds like if Wallace wants to race in the Cup Series at Daytona he is going to have to do an ARCA test of some sort. Even Shane van Gisbergen had to do one before tackling the Xfinity Series race at Daytona.

Mike Wallace not approved, Helio Castroneves guaranteed spot

One point of contention that Mike Wallace supporters have with the NASCAR decision comes from the new Open Exemption Provisional. This new rule allows for one “elite” non-full-time NASCAR driver to receive a provisional spot in the event they fail to make the 40-car field.

A driver with the provisional, who has to use it, will be given a 41st starting spot. For the Daytona 500, Helio Castroneves has one of these provisionals. That means if he doesn’t qualify on merit in qualifying or the Duels, he will be given the 41st spot.

Mike Wallace proponents don’t think this is fair. After all, Wallace has an entire career built on stock car racing. He has won races at Daytona. However, a decade out of the sport, going into a new car, and at 65 – that’s not the best argument to enter The Great American Race.

Is it hypocrisy? I’m not so sure. Castroneves is a four-time Indy 500 champion. His last came just four years ago in 2021. He is 15 years younger than Wallace and was competing in the Indy 500 just a year ago.