By ohnson 
Kenny Wallace is set to take the track for the Gator Nationals tonight, where UMP Mods will race. He had a close call qualifying last night but is a guaranteed starter at Volusia Speedway Park. Joining him are top-notch UMP Modified drivers from across the country, including one from British Columbia. For veteran race fans, it’s strange to see the former asphalt racer on dirt. Wallace raced on asphalt his entire career in the American Speed Association and NASCAR, but now he’s found a new passion in dirt racing. He credits Kenny Schrader for teaching him how to drive dirt and says racing is his hunting and fishing. Looking back on leaving asphalt racing, he explains how Fox Sports gave him the opportunity to continue racing and that he loves dirt racing because of the chance to redeem oneself. Wallace provides a great example of how a bad night can turn around the next. Despite racing asphalt, he always had a desire to drive a dirt car. He reflects on the multi-talented drivers of the past and how he wanted to be like them. He’s raced around the world, including in Japan and Canada, and even done Stadium truck racing. At Volusia, the cars have a lot of horsepower but narrow tires, and Wallace had to learn to control them. He loves the event at Volusia but finds it difficult to race on weekends due to his job with Fox Sports. He aims to retire at 58 and enjoy traveling with his grand baby and wife. Kenny Wallace is a true ambassador for the sport of auto racing, and even after he retires, it’s likely he’ll still be involved in some way. The UMP Modifieds are nearing the end of their time at Volusia Speedway Park, but for Wallace, the thrill of racing against the best in his class is still there, and he won’t be easily forgotten in the world of racing.