Rusty Wallace isn’t just any ex-NASCAR racer. On top of an extremely successful NASCAR career, he’s also been a television commentator and a team owner. He is perhaps the least expected entry in this year’s X Games. How did he end up in this year’s Off-Road Truck races? He sat down with to explain.

It’s hard to imagine two more different worlds than NASCAR and the X Games, but the NASCAR connection is strong in Stadium Super Trucks, which are used in the X Games’ Off-Road Truck Racing events. Famed NASCAR road course ringer Boris Said also showed up to race in the X Games’ Off-Road Truck races this year. The series itself was started by fellow NASCAR alum Robby Gordon, who played a major role in getting Wallace to try out a car. Wallace is twice the age of many of the athletes at the X Games, but Gordon knew he could rise to the challenge of racing one of his trucks.

“I’ve missed the sport,” explained Wallace. “I miss all kinds of motorsports, and this is one that I’ve been watching for a long time.”

Wallace’s drive is a one-off, but he wants to “see what happens.” You can listen to his full interview with Speed City , where he explains everything from the unique experience of driving a Stadium Super Truck to NASCAR’s current season.

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