Rusty scotches quit stories

NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran Rusty Wallace, who earlier this week denied he has any plans to retire, has called a press conference, in association with NASCAR, for the end of August at Daytona. He is rumoured to be planning a farewell tour in 2005, the last year of his driving contract with Penske Racing

Aug 21, 2004, 4:49 PM

Wallace has also denied that he has any plans to recruit impressive young gun Jamie McMurray, currently with Ganassi Racing, to take his place. McMurray and Wallace have become close friend, with McMurray driving Wallace's Busch Series car in selected events this season.

Rumours connecting Penske's Indy Racing League star Sam Hornish to the drive, are believed to be wide of the mark.

On a telephone conference this week, Wallace said: "Right now, my mind is 100 percent on racing. If I do make that call, one of these days, you guys will be the first to know because I want to celebrate it in a proper way and have a good time." He continued by saying he intended to drive a "couple more years".

A year ago, however, Wallace, 48, confided that he would seriously look at stepping out of the seat after 2005. Bill Elliott, Wallace's contemporary, stepped aside last year and handed over to super-rookie Kasey Kahne. Elliot has since only raced in selected events for the Evernham Dodge team.