Rusty Wallace Inc. grows with the addition of Austin

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Rusty Wallace's family is growing.

The team Wallace started to burgeon his son Steve's racing career is adding a second car with hopes of fielding a two-car Busch Series team in 2008.

In partnership with HomeLife Communities, which sponsors the No. 66 Dodge of Steve Wallace in the Busch Series, Rusty Wallace Inc. will field a full-time car in the NASCAR Busch East Series, which will consist of a 14-race schedule in 2007.

Hendrick Motorsports

Chase Austin

Wallace introduced his newest driver Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chase Austin, a former Hendrick Motorsports development driver who in 2005 earned two wins, three top-fives and 10 top-10s, was suggested to Wallace by NASCAR and was impressive at a recent test session at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.

"I really liked it when he and Steven got along so well at the test at Greenville," Rusty Wallace said. "That was very, very important to me."

Wallace also liked the fact that once Austin, who was preparing for another season racing Late Models, got his bearings in the heavier car, the 17-year-old was matching, and at times surpassing, the speeds of his son.

"It was kind of unbelievable to think all of a sudden I would be going testing ... because you get a lot of phone calls in this business, and stuff doesn't always follow through. But Rusty came through for me," said Austin, who could become the first full-time minority driver in the Busch Series.

"A lot of these young drivers never had the opportunity to have first-class equipment come out of the main shops. A lot of them are subbed out," said Wallace, concerned with the stagnant growth of the sport. "I don't think these guys got a fair break.

"Chase is going to have the support that a lot of these guys haven't got in the past. This car is coming right out of our RWI shop, the cars will be prepared side-by-side, next to Steven's car. He's got the best of equipment, we're going to have good engines. We're going to support him all we can.

"After this year, our goal is to make him Steven's teammate in the full Busch Series, where they'll both compete side-by-side with equal equipment and equal opportunities."

All things being equal, Steve will have his hands full holding off his new teammate, who in 2006 posted three wins, six top-fives and eight top-10s in 23 races despite limited funding and little previous chassis setup experience. (Continued)