NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace set to drive Enjoy Illinois 300 pace car

One of NASCAR‘s familiar names returns behind the wheel for this weekend’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Rusty Wallace, a Hall of Fame driver, will pace the field for Sunday’s race.

Wallace made the announcement on his personal Twitter page. He’ll get back into his “Midnight” No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft car for the Enjoy Illinois 300.

“My favorite hot rod’s tuned up and ready to go!” Wallace wrote, posting a video of the car. “See you soon, St. Louis!”

#NASCAR Hall of Famer and St. Louis native Rusty Wallace will pace the field of Sunday's #EnjoyIllinois300 in his trademark "Midnight" No. 2 Miller car. https://t.co/AWfgTffGsj

— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) June 1, 2023

Wallace will be an excellent fit to drive the pace car for Sunday’s race. He grew up just outside of St. Louis, making him a fan favorite at the track.

Wallace had an impressive 25-year career in NASCAR, participating in over 700 races in the Cup Series. He took home 55 checkered flags and placed inside the top-10 a total of 349 times. Wallace also earned 36 pole positions over the course of his time in the sport.

In 1989, Wallace won the Cup Series championship.

Along with his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2013, Wallace is also a member of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. The race airs on FS1.

NASCAR betting odds for Enjoy Illinois 300 released

Ahead of Sunday’s race, DraftKings released some updated odds to claim the checkered flag at the Enjoy Illinois 300. Some alterations were made after NASCAR suspended Chase Elliott for right-rear hooking Denny Hamlin’s car during the Coca-Cola 600 on Monday.

Hendrick Motorsports announced that Corey LaJoie replaces Elliott in the No. 9 car.

Here’s a look at the updated odds for this weekend’s Cup Series race:

• #5 Kyle Larson (+500)
• #24 William Byron (+700)
• #8 Kyle Busch (+750)
• #12 Ryan Blaney (+850)
• #22 Joey Logano (+850)
• #19 Martin Truex Jr. (+1000)
• #11 Denny Hamlin (+1100)
• #20 Christopher Bell (+1100)
• #1 Ross Chastain (+1400)
• #4 Kevin Harvick (+1400)
• #45 Tyler Reddick (+1600)
• #14 Chase Briscoe (+3000)
• #6 Brad Keselowski (+3000)
• #48 Alex Bowman (+3000)
• #7 Corey LaJoie (+3500)
• #23 Bubba Wallace (+4000)
• #54 Ty Gibbs (+4000)

Last year, Joey Logano drove his car to Victory Lane in St. Louis. He’s at +850 to repeat as the champion at the track on Sunday.

Ryan Blaney, who won last week’s Coca-Cola 600, also comes in at +850 to win the race.