Sorenson comes away with win in Wallaces' backyard

MADISON, Ill. -- Rookie Reed Sorenson took control with 33 laps to go and pulled away to win the NASCAR Busch Series Wallace Family Tribute 250 on Saturday night.

Mike Wallace, one of three racing brothers from the St. Louis area family, finished second at the 1.25-mile Gateway International Raceway oval. Rusty Wallace, honored during his final year of racing before retiring, led for 17 laps in the middle of the 200-lap race before crashing on lap 137 and finishing 37th, and Kenny Wallace was 24th.

"The car was very quick," Rusty Wallace said. "I'm disappointed right now because the car was easily a top-five car. It's just really tough right now because I really wanted to win this race in my hometown."

The event drew a crowd estimated at 60,000, largest ever at the raceway.

Sorenson, 19, won his second career Busch Series race after qualifying second behind Martin Truex Jr. earlier Saturday and starting on the outside pole.

Mike Wallace was unable to mount a challenge after a restart before the final three laps, with Sorenson winning by 0.71 seconds. Carl Edwards was third, rallying after starting in the rear of the 43-car field due to an engine change.

Mike Wallace said he was too caught up in the emotion of the event.

"To come back to St. Louis, a place where I've always struggled, and run well in a race named in my family's honor, is very rewarding," Wallace said. "I spun the tires on the restart, I screwed up. I was so geared up and so excited, I just wanted to do too much."