NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace has driven some iconic stock cars in his career. While a few might still be in his collection, or museums dedicated to NASCAR, one particular 1998 Ford Taurus, driven by him, is up for grabs. According to a listing on Instagram, Wallace’s No. 81 Ford, driven during his FILMAR Racing days in at least six Cup Series events, is being sold for $37,000.
Having been converted to a road-course car and driven in a handful of vintage car races, fans could now own a piece of NASCAR heritage. Kenny Wallace’s 1998 season will always be remembered for finishing in the top ten five times before FILMAR Racing was sold to Pinnacle Motorsports Group the following year.
A piece of NASCAR history for Kenny Wallace fans
That’s right! The No. 81 Ford Taurus, driven by none other than the legendary Kenny Wallace, is for sale. Wallace was the longest-serving Cup Series driver in FILMAR Racing’s history. From the years 1995 to 1998, when he drove this car, he finished 28th, 33rd, and 31st in his three seasons at the team owned by Fil Martocci. His 1998 Ford Taurus, which is currently available for sale, was reportedly driven for three consecutive weeks, starting from New Hampshire. At the USA Today 301, Kenny Wallace started the race in fourth place, led 40 laps, and finished in sixth place.
Proving just how fast the car can be, Kenny Wallace, who qualified for the race at Darlington Raceway in 39th place, climbed up the grid in the Southern 500 and finished 10th. The No. 81 Ford was also seen at Richmond Raceway during the Cook Out 400, where Kenny Wallace finished 11th. According to the owner, Kenny Wallace’s No. 81 Ford Taurus also raced in Martinsville, where it finished last due to overheating issues.
At Phoenix Raceway, Kenny Wallace qualified in third place but ended the race eighth, which was his last top-ten result of the season. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that the No. 81 Ford competed at Dover, where the FILMAR Racing driver ended up 40th. Kenny Wallace drove the No. 81 Ford 104 times in the NASCAR Cup Series, and while he never took the chequered flag, the driver recorded 11 top-10s.
The car isn’t just race-ready but also set up specifically for casual cruises on the road. According to the current owner of the No. 81 Ford Taurus, the car has been given a road-course setup, for anyone who is considering driving the car outside the racetrack. That hasn’t stopped the No. 81 Ford Taurus from competing in races, as the car, true to its racing heritage, has been participating in vintage car race tryouts.
Just like Kenny Wallace, who continues to live in the fast lane, despite being 60 years old, his car also continues to prove its qualities, despite being away from NASCAR action for a long time.
Kenny Wallace achieves a big career milestone
His racing days in NASCAR might be behind him, but that isn’t stopping Kenny Wallace anytime soon. He recently competed in a race at Highland Speedway, securing his fifth win in 2024. Wallace, who can now proudly claim that he has won everywhere around the Midwest, continues to make strides on track, despite his age. His persistence at Highland Speedway paid off, as Wallace has a history of running second on the track, to the eight-time national champion Mike Harrison, who was racing on his home track.
Speaking about Mike Harrison, Kenny Wallace said, “Mike Harrison falls right underneath what Dale Earnhardt Sr taught us. He said, ‘Herman, there are thousands of great race car drivers all over America’ and I said, yep, I know one of them, Mike Harrison. That guy has so much talent, all I could do is run second to him every time I went there.” Wallace went on to say, “Anyway, we won last night, and it was the Fair Race, and it was big.”
Kenny Wallace has proven that despite his age, he still has what it takes to win races. Having finally won on every track in the Midwest might prompt him to finally retire from racing altogether. The 60-year-old has a NASCAR career that spans 25 years, and with nine Xfinity race wins, he can look back on his legacy with pride.
With his No. 81 Ford Taurus going on sale, it won’t be surprising that Wallace himself chooses to buy it, in an attempt to ensure his racing legacy remains in good hands for the foreseeable future.
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