Mike Wallace to replace Benson at Chicagoland

Mike Wallace will drive the #10 Valvoline Pontiac in the Nascar Winston Cup race this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway replacing the injured Johnny Benson.

"We wanted someone with experience that we knew the team and I could communicate with," said Crew Chief James Ince. "Mike is just that driver. Our team is devastated about what happened to Johnny Saturday night but we have a job to do and we have every intention of going on and doing the best we can."

Benson is recovering from displacements in ribs 6, 7 and 8 on the right side of his chest suffered in an accident Saturday night in the 400-mile at Daytona International Speedway.

Benson's timetable for returning to racing has yet to be determined by his physician and the Valvoline Racing team. Benson missed the Richmond, Charlotte and Dover races earlier this season because of rib injuries from the Richmond Busch Series accident.

Saturday's accident did not reinjure the ribs Benson hurt at Richmond.

Wallace, 43, finished 41st Saturday night at Daytona in his fourth Winston Cup start of the season. He scored a career best second-place finish at Phoenix in 2001 driving the #12 Penske Ford.

He has made seven starts in the Busch Series in 2002.

Wallace owns three Busch Series victories and four Craftsman Truck Series victories. Wallace's older brother is Rusty and younger brother is Kenny who both race in Winston Cup

The Valvoline Pontiac will carry a special paint scheme this weekend. Fozzy Bear's picture will be prominently featured on the car in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Muppets.

-mbvm-