Darrell Wallace, Jr. is quickly building an impressive resume in racing despite the fact he has yet to reach the age requirements for a driver's license. But it is his talent, and not his age, that influenced Joe Gibbs Racing to sign the 15-year-old to its driver development program.
Darrell was named the 2008 Rookie of the Year in the United Auto Racing Association. He finished sixth overall in the point standings last season and became the youngest driver to ever win a race at Franklin County Speedway, his first victory in Late Models.
Darrell is scheduled to return to the UARA circuit when the season begins in March. His racing career began in 2004 when he began competing in the Jr. Sportsman Champ Karts. He finished his first season second overall in points at the Carolina Asphalt Racing Winter Series. He moved to Bandoleros in 2005 and won an amazing 35 of the 48 races and posted 40 top-five finishes. He became the first driver to win five races in a single week. In addition, he competed against much older competition in the Outlaw Division and won all but one race in 2005.
Darrell moved up to Legends in 2006 and completed a phenomenal rookie season with 11 wins, 27 top-five finishes and 34 top-tens in 38 total starts. He started racing Late Models in 2007 competing in the final five races of the UARA Touring series.
Born in Mobile, AL, Darrell and his family moved to North Carolina for his father's work when he was just two years old. His interest in racing began by chance at the age of nine when his father purchased a motorcycle and took it in to a shop to have fixed up. The person at the shop invited them out to a go-kart race and when Darrell, Sr. asked Darrell, Jr. if he'd liked to give it a shot, he responded yes and was quickly hooked.
Darrell also played basketball but is fully focused on his racing career now. He also enjoys paint ball and playing video games. Darrell and his family currently reside in Concord, NC.
