Rusty Wallace is eighth on the all-time wins list with 55. Credit: Autostock

Wallace has no regrets, but wants another title

In a career littered with big numbers -- 22 years, 681 starts, 55 victories, $44 million in earnings -- there isn't a lot that Rusty Wallace hasn't accomplished.

He's been the Cup series' rookie of the year. He's won the all-star race. He's a former Cup champion.

Now, 11 races into his "Last Call" season, Wallace is preparing for life off the track.

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This week: No regrets

"I've accomplished everything I've wanted to accomplish," said Wallace, who first ventured into Cup racing in 1980 before making a full-time jump to the series in 1984.

However, there have been disappointments along the way.

Wallace is 0-for-23 in the Daytona 500. He's been thisclose to winning at the Brickyard.

Still, he remains focused on finishing this season in championship form.

"I desperately wanted to win the Daytona 500, and didn't do it," Wallace said. "I think I had a shot to win it until I lost the primary car."

Wallace was forced to a backup car after a wreck during a 150-mile qualifying race. Nonetheless, Wallace was optimistic he could make a run at the checkered flag.

"I will tell you," Wallace said, "with about 40 laps to go in the Daytona 500, those cars were slipping and sliding all over the place and my car was sitting there running sixth or seventh, going to the front and I said, 'Man, this might be may day. I might be able to do this.' "

Then fate slammed the door in his face. Again. On Lap 168, John Andretti, after scraping Travis Kvapil, turned down into Jason Leffler to bring out the caution.

"A big caution flag hit, the clouds rolled in, the track cooled down and all the sudden all these cars that were sliding all over the place went back to handling again and I finished 10th," Wallace lamented. "I would have loved to have won the Daytona 500; that would have been a big one."

'LAST CALL' ARCHIVE •   Best seasons •   Near-misses •   Significant races •   The ABCs of Wallace •   Fantasy starting lineup •   Significant changes •   Most influential •   No regrets

Another track that has been unkind to Wallace is Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Despite nine top-10 finishes in 11 starts, he still hasn't kissed the bricks -- three runner-ups and two fourth-place finishes.

"I've finished second in the Brickyard 400 three times, lost it with about 10 laps to go about every single time," Wallace said. "The Brickyard is a great race, but it just doesn't have -- in my heart -- the name of the Daytona 500. It's such a new race, to me, compared to Daytona."

No matter what happens at Indy in August, Wallace maintained his goal is to be a contender in November. Currently he is 12th in the point standings, 272 behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

"I wish I could win another championship," he said, "and I've got a chance to do that."

• Last week: Most influential