Mike Wallace claims the checkered flag at Talladega

Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

The KHI tandem duo of Ron Hornaday and Mike Wallace were the class of the field at Talladega Superspeedway during today’s Coca-Cola 250.

Wallace was picked by KHI owner Kevin Harvick to fill the seat of the No. 33 truck at Elliott Sadler and wife Amanda await the birth of their second child any day now. Wallace last made an appearance in the NCWTS in 2009.

The Wallace and Hornaday duo lead a total of 55 laps on the way to victory though there was some competition for the win. Austin Dillon found help in Kyle Busch, Parker Kligerman paired with Todd Bodine and the ThorSport teammates of Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton stayed together.

It’s not Talladega without some issues; the first caution came out at lap 14 for a multi-car incident after Josh Richards got into Nelson Piquet Jr. Also involved were the trucks of Cole Whitt, Kyle Busch, Donnie Neuenberger, Patrick Sheltra and Jeffrey Earnhardt.

Caution No. 2 came out as Neuenberger had further problems, reportedly blowing a tire and causing problems for Crafton and Sauter who tried to play it safe riding in the back. That plan failed, Crafton’s day would be over and Sauter would be forced to pit multiple times for repairs and later reply on the lucky dog to get back on the lead lap.

Drafting went awry, causing caution No. 3. Todd Bodine and Parker Kligerman were partnered up and working well together. Bodine was attempting to make the switch and as he went to pull from behind Kligerman, he hooked him and spun Kligerman around. Collateral damage in the wreck was the trucks of Johanna Long and Blake Feese. Long hit Feese and sent him through the grass, though the No. 32 team was able to rebound for a 19^th place finish.

Mike Wallace and Ron Hornaday cross the finish line in tandem just as they raced.
Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

In total, six cautions slowed the action at ‘Dega but nothing slowed the pace of the KHI trucks as Wallace was clearly the truck to beat. In victory lane Wallace said, “It’s been so long since I won a race. Nobody knows what this means to me. It’s monumental.”

Race results:
1. Mike Wallace
2. Ron Hornaday Jr.
3. James Buescher
4. Ricky Carmichael
5. Jason White
6. Todd Bodine
7. Austin Dillon
8. Brendan Gaughan
9. Kyle Busch
10. Max Papis
11. Justin Lofton
12. Grant Enfinger
13. Josh Richards
14. Cole Whitt
15. Johnny Sauter
16. Johanna Long
17. Dakoda Armstrong
18. Miguel Paludo
19. Blake Feese
20. Joey Coulter
21. Ryan Sieg
22. Ryan Hackett
23. Timothy Peters
24. Wes Burton
25. Chris Fontaine
26. Nelson Piquet Jr.
27. BJ McLeod
28. Parker Kligerman
29. Jamie Dick
30. David Starr
31. Matt Crafton
32. Donnie Neuenberger
33. Butch Miller
34. Jeffrey Earnhardt
35. Patrick Sheltra
36. J J Yeley