Rusty to Retire After 2005 Season

Rusty Wallace, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge for Penske Racing South, will finally hang it up after the '05 season.

It's a feeling of sadness for me, since Rusty was one of the first drivers that I had actually watched in the early 90's, when he drove the black and gold Miller Genuine Draft car and piled up the victories left and right. So far, Rusty's won 55 times, including winning the 1989 Winston Cup Championship. You just knew that with the direction that NASCAR is taking now, with its whole new points system and the new fresh faces in the sport, Rusty's days were numbered.

It is also my sheer luck that the driver I watch the most, Ryan Newman, is a teammate to Rusty. Because of that association, I also collected many of Rusty's die-casts and other Miller Lite memorabilia.

His Miller Lite Dodge next year will feature "Rusty's Last Call," a year-long celebration for Rusty and his accomplishments.

For the NASCAR.com article, click here.