Bass commemorates Rusty's 'Last Call'

One of the most storied careers in the history of auto racing will come to a close when Rusty Wallace officially hangs up his helmet at the conclusion of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series finale at Homestead, Fla., on November 20.

It's hard to believe it has been 25 years since a fresh-faced Wallace made an auspicious NASCAR Nextel Cup Series debut with a runner-up finish in the 1980 Atlanta 500. In the two-and-a-half decades since, he has won 55 races, more than three dozen pole positions, and a series championship en route to establishing himself as an icon of his chosen profession.

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Motorsports artist Sam Bass has chronicled Wallace's stellar career from start to finish in his latest artwork, appropriately entitled "Rusty's Last Call!"

"Rusty Wallace is a legend of our sport," said Bass, the first artist officially licensed by NASCAR. "It is a privilege and an honor to work with Rusty and his sponsor, Miller Brewing, on an artwork documenting his career. Rusty has always been very supportive of my efforts and a great person all the way around. I've had the good fortune of working with him since 1988, and of course, my working relationship with Miller goes back 20 years-back to the days when Bobby Allison drove the Miller car. So, this is a very special painting to me in many ways."

Destined to be one of the most collectible racing artworks of all time, "Rusty's Last Call!" conveys a truly believable theme.

The setting for this historic illustration is a friendly neighborhood sports bar-with Wallace himself about to order up a cold Miller Lite. The entire pub is decorated wall-to-wall with memorabilia celebrating the driver's most memorable moments and recognizable rides.

Serving as centerpiece of "Rusty's Last Call!" is an image of Wallace's 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship trophy, flanked by a chalk message board bearing the date of what will be Wallace's final Nextel Cup start. A life-size mural portrait of Wallace and the 2005 No. 2 Miller Lite/Rusty's Last Call Dodge Charger leave no doubt as to the focal point of this immaculate composition.

Ten of Bass' most poignant lithographs featuring Wallace adorn the wall behind the bar, along with photos of some of Rusty's more significant race cars, including: one of his very first short track machines, his first NASCAR Nextel Cup entry, his ASA championship winning Firebird, and the cars he raced to Rookie of the Year honors and his first Cup Series victory. Other "Rusty rides"-many carrying color schemes designed by Bass himself-are represented as die-casts on display along the adjacent wall. Even the handles of the bar taps offer subtle recollections of Wallace's past paint schemes.

Hanging overhead is the side panel from Wallace's first Miller-sponsored racer, the No. 27 he piloted for Raymond Beadle's Blue Max Racing Team. The bar's television is replaying a landmark moment from Wallace's past-his epic last lap confrontation with Darrell Waltrip in the 1989 running of NASCAR's All Star race.

"Rusty's Last Call!" is offered as both a limited edition print and a fine art poster. Check out the special Sam Bass section of the NASCAR.com SuperStore.