Bit of an odd announcement, but Team Penske and Miller Lite announced this morning that NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace will drive Brad Keselowski’s Miller Lite Ford at Daytona testing tomorrow. While the news is a bit random, it sorta makes sense from a numbers perspective: it’s the 25th anniversary of Wallace’s 1989 Sprint Cup Series Championship, as well as the 40th anniversary of the original Miller Lite beer.
"I am pretty pumped up about this," said Wallace. "This is a big deal, and I can't wait to get the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford up to speed - especially at Daytona. This will be my first time driving the new Gen-6 car, and I think it will give me a better perspective on how I cover the races for ESPN as an analyst. This is going to be a lot of fun, yet there is also a business component too. I can't thank Miller Lite, ESPN and Team Penske enough for giving me this opportunity. Man, what a fantastic way to start the year."
The last time Wallace was behind the wheel of the historic No. 2 Penske was November 2005’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Wallace will wear a firesuit with the original Miller Lite logo. Keselowski and crew will also be wearing the same style firesuit at the events leading up to, as well as the Daytona 500. Keselowski will run a commemorative white Miller Lite paint scheme for the 500, seen below.
"This is a terrific way to pay homage to the heritage and prestige of the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford," said Keselowski. "To have Rusty Wallace, a NASCAR champion and a NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, assist Miller Lite in recognizing the long association they have had with Team Penske and NASCAR is something special. I feel privileged to be a part of it."
