NASCAR Cup Series

Wallace set to attempt 2012 Daytona 500

Published Jan. 21, 2012 8:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

Kenny Wallace will give it a go at The Great American Race -- and he's got help to do it.

American Ethanol will sponsor Wallace as he attempts to qualify for the 2012 Daytona 500 (Feb. 26 live on FOX).

The SPEED TV analyst will enter the Great American Race behind the wheel of the No. 09 Toyota for Robby Benton's RAB Racing.

"The Daytona 500 is the race I grew up watching every year as a kid in St. Louis. It's a very important race to me," said Wallace in a statement. "I take this opportunity very seriously.

"Earning a starting spot in this year's Daytona 500 would be a dream come true, not only for myself, but for Robby and everyone else that's worked so hard to make this a reality. Speedweeks is my favorite time of the year, and I can't wait to get down there in just another couple of weeks."

American Ethanol will also sponsor Wallace for five additional races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this season. Wallace has six NNS wins.

Although Wallace currently competes full-time in the Nationwide Series for RAB and finished seventh in the 2011 point standings, the 48-year-old St. Louis native has 344 career Cup starts. Wallace's best finish was second in 2000 at Talladega Superspeedway when he pushed the late Dale Earnhardt to his 76th and final Cup win.

American Ethanol will also back Austin Dillon at Richard Childress Racing for six Nationwide races this season and one Sprint Cup race later this year.