March 19, 2024

Kenny Wallace is grand marshal of K&N race Friday

Kenny Wallace, the all-time leader in career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, will be the Grand Marshal for Friday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West race at Iowa Speedway.

Wallace has 546 starts in Xfinity Series. He recently announced he would make his final NASCAR start in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by New Holland at Iowa Speedway.

Iowa Speedway announced the 150-lap NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West race will be named the #ThanksKenny 150 as a tribute to Wallace’s 26-year NASCAR career.

“When Kenny revealed that his last NASCAR race would come at Iowa Speedway, we gave serious thought to how we could best recognize his accomplishments. We knew we had to put together a celebration as big as his personality,” said Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than having a race named in your honor. That is something that will live on as long as we keep records, and Kenny Wallace is a person who is truly deserving of that distinction.”

As grand marshal, Wallace will say the four most famous words in racing – “Drivers, start your engines!” prior to the start of the race. Following the race, Wallace will be in Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane to present the trophy to the winner of the 13th meeting at Iowa Speedway between the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West.

“I love connecting with fans from all over the world on social media sites, so when I was told about the hashtag (#ThanksKenny), it really made me smile and laugh at the same time,” said Wallace. “To know that the K&N race is going to be named after me, that’s just something else.

“I think it’s fun that Iowa Speedway is doing this for me and all the NASCAR fans. I’m really excited to give the command to “Start your Engines” on Friday night. That’s definitely something new for me, but I already have a plan on how I’m going to say it, and of course it will be funny.”

Midwestern tribute band, Rock Godz, will close out the 2015 NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series in style on Friday. Immediately following Victory Lane festivities for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East / West #ThanksKenny 150, Rock Godz will hit the Pork Party Pavilion overlooking Turn 4.