Wallace's two sons following in footsteps

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Following in a father's footsteps might be one of the more endearing honors a son -- or a daughter -- can pay to their dad.

And on the eve of Father's Day 2003, dozens of fathers involved in NASCAR's upper levels of competition are relishing the involvement their children have in the sport.

	Rusty Wallace Credit: Autostock

No less than eight Winston Cup drivers in the field for Sunday's Sirius 400 at Michigan International Speedway have a son or daughter currently racing. At least 23 drivers that tried to qualify at Michigan had racing dads.

But leave it to Winston Cup veteran Rusty Wallace to put the twist on the concept. Both of Wallace's sons: Greg, 23, and Stephen, 15, has invested time in driving race cars.

And while Rusty is busting with excitement over his youngest's debut in a Late Model stock car Saturday night at the NASCAR proving ground at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, his oldest's career path has really turned his head.

Greg Wallace took a stab at racing Late Model Stock Cars and was up front with his famous dad.

"He said, 'You know, dad, it's cool and I enjoy it, but I don't know if I could make a living at it like you guys did,'" Rusty said. "I want to go to law school (next year).

"I'm real happy that Steve is doing it (choosing racing as a career) -- I think we all knew he was going to do it. But I'm probably the most proud of Greg. I never thought I'd have a lawyer in the family.

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"He's just doing a hell of a job. He's working for NASCAR now and is traveling all over the place and has learned a lot. I'm really happy with him and what he's doing -- he's just amazing and it blows me away every day with just how smart he is.

"It's pretty easy just to follow in the family footsteps and be a racer, and Stephen's got the natural talent for that, but Greg is the business end of it, for sure and I'm super proud of him and (daughter) Katie, who's graduated (high school) and is going to college."

Rusty Wallace is sick over the fact that he can't make Stephen's debut, but he schedule an appearance for Goodyear in Nashville long ago and Stephen made his decision, but in true dad fashion, he's fashioned a pretty good safety blanket.

"Of course, grandpa (Rusty's father, Russ Wallace, a former Midwest short track standout) is going to be there, and him and Stephen make their own little pit crew when they get together."

	Rusty (left) and Kenny Wallace Credit: Autostock

Wallace opted for an ace in the hole when he called his 1989 Winston Cup championship crew chief from Blue Max Racing.

"I got Barry Dodson to go over and keep an eye on them. Barry has been working with (Billy) Catfish Parker at Hickory and Catfish has won a bunch of races there, so I couldn't think of anyone more qualified to get them pointed in the right direction."

Stephen Wallace, however, has set a high bar for himself. And as bad as his dad feels, he admitted his scheduling situation might be a blessing.

"Maybe it's just as well that I can't be there, though it's going to be a real big deal for us (and) I'm freaking out that I can't do it," Rusty said. "Me being there might just put more pressure on everyone than they need to have.

"We've tested three or four times now, and he's running below the track record. He's flying and doing a hell of a job out there. I expect him to do great.

The elder Wallace epitomized every racing father's ultimate fantasy when he talked of his son's commitment.

"I've been talking to him a lot, a lot of safety stuff inside his car, a lot on driving style, a lot of things like that," Rusty said. "It's been really, really fun dealing with Stephen because he's all ears.

"He can weld, he can paint, he can load the truck, he can build engines. He can do everything at age 15. His schoolwork is great right now, so I'm a real proud pop right now."