Wallace: "McMurray would have definitely been our No. 1 choice." Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Wallace, unlike Martin, rules out driving in 2006

LONG POND, Pa. -- Rusty Wallace has upwards of a half-dozen roles to consider for 2006 and beyond, but driving a Nextel Cup Series car won't be one of them, the former series champion said Saturday at Pocono Raceway.

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He also offered some insight into what team owner Roger Penske is considering for his replacement.

"I did have second thoughts for a while about continuing driving, but that's all passed," Wallace said. "I'm not having any second thoughts at all. My team wants me to stay but I'm not staying.

"I'm going to stay with them and help them along the line with whoever the new driver will be, if they want me to do that -- if they get lost on any chassis stuff or things like that."

Mark Martin's decision to continue driving owner Jack Roush's No. 6 Ford next season, despite originally calling this season his last in Nextel Cup, gave rise to the rumors that Wallace also might reconsider.

Wallace (left) with longtime car chief Jeff Thousand Credit: Autostock

Martin was put in his current position when Roush signed Jamie McMurray to drive the 6 -- but not until 2007 after his current contract with owner Chip Ganassi expires.

Even though Wallace sold his ownership stake in Penske Racing to its namesake, he called McMurray's decision a major blow to the team's plans to replace him for next season.

"That was a disappointing deal," Wallace said. "Because we never even talked to Chip Ganassi or (co-owner) Felix Sabates because they're great friends of ours. I told Roger I was not gonna touch that because I love Chip and I love Felix.

"McMurray would have definitely been our No. 1 choice. But then when I found out that McMurray was working on a deal with the 6 car and that he was going to leave no matter what, I feel like maybe we should have (pursued him).

"At that point, if I'd have known that, then we would have talked to Jamie or talked to Chip and said 'Hey, your guy's leaving no matter what -- can we have a shot at him?'

"But we never even went there because it wasn't worth it, you know? I've got mixed emotions on that whole thing."

Wallace said the fact that he no longer owned any of the team excused him of any role in determining who his replacement would be.

"I love being involved with the team," Wallace said. "But I put all that responsibility (for future driver decisions) on Roger, and Roger's making every single damn one of those calls.

"We do talk occasionally (to exchange ideas), but the thing I do realize is that the brewery (Miller) wants somebody who's going to get in there that can win right now -- they're not into no training program.

"The brewery told Roger what type of driver they need and now it's up to Roger to deliver that type of driver. The decision is between Roger and the brewery and I'm not involved in that and I don't want to be involved in that right now.

"(Penske) will throw more names at me down the road, but right now it's not there."

Wallace also said he has a number of areas that will occupy him next year, including operating his car dealerships, overseeing his Busch Series team and establishing a television career.

"Roger wants me to handle our sponsors, and I want to maintain the relationships that I've established with a number of sponsors over the course of my career," Wallace said. "And I think I might have a role like Rick Mears (with Penske's Indy car teams), in being an advisor, as needed."

Wallace said his five current dealerships sell 10 brands of cars, and that he's had ongoing discussions with Penske, who is one of the country's leading car dealers, about establishing partnerships in that area.

"The Busch team is going great," Wallace said. "Top-Flite has already re-signed for next season, and Bill Elliott has said he wants to run more races for me, and I'm loving that."

Roger Penske Credit: Donald Mirelle/Getty Images

Wallace plans to be at Kentucky Speedway Monday for Stephen's first Nextel Cup test, which is designed to prepare him for his ARCA Series speedway debut next month at Michigan, which will come in a Penske-prepared and entered car.

Wallace said his involvement with a racetrack being built in Iowa began when its main investor made inquiries about building a short track, similar to Richmond International Raceway, and asked who had the most Cup Series short track wins.

"That's what led to that," Wallace said, "And if this track turns out as we think it will, that could be another thing that keeps me busy."

Wallace also continues to work on plans to drive in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, saying he's been discussing that with chassis builder and team owner Max Crawford, who's fielded cars in Rolex Series sports car races for Tony Stewart, among other NASCAR drivers.

Wallace didn't speculate about how much time he'd need each day to satisfy his schedule, but did say one of his "advisors," former drag racer Don Prudhomme, had questioned his sanity in putting so much on his plate.

"Penske loves what I'm doing," Wallace said. "And I can see Roger and I getting involved in the car business together, so that's another thing I might do."