Darrell Wallace Jr. earns first career Nationwide pole at Dover

Darrell Wallace Jr. wins NNS pole at Dover
Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR   

Darrell Wallace Jr. won his first Nationwide Series pole today at Dover International Speedway. The 18-year-old NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate edged out Justin Allgaier who starts second. Wallace’s lap of 23.091 seconds earned him his first career Coors Light Pole, in what will be his fourth Nationwide start.

Wallace has finished in the top 10 for his three career Nationwide races, all in 2012, and started in the top 10 for two of those events. He led 36 laps in the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa in August where he finished seventh.

Wallace’s teammate, Joey Logano, was faster in practice, but will roll off third for the race. After finishing second in the NASCAR K&N Pro East Series race at Dover last night, Wallace Jr. talked with Skirts and Scuffs about his Joe Gibbs Racing team.

“We got Joey, Denny and Kyle, three Cup drivers, as mentors for me and I can go talk to them. Like this weekend I’m racing against Joey in the Nationwide car and definitely need some tips on getting around here (Dover) because we were struggling and he was pretty quick.”

Whatever tips Logano provided worked because his younger teammate starts his No. 20 Freightliner Toyota on the front row.

Beth Bence Reinke is a columnist, support editor & media rep for Skirts and Scuffs. She writes "Gibbs Garage," Joe Gibbs Racing Sprint Cup team recaps, for the 2012 season. Her column, “Faith on the Frontstretch,” explores the role of faith in motorsports. Beth is also the author of Race Fans’ Devotions to Go, a devotional book geared toward female NASCAR fans. Follow her on Twitter at @bbreinke or reach her at bbreinke@skirtsandscuffs.com