"Where it all began..."

DeWayne Wallace
By S.A.F.E.R. Staff

Introduced into racing at birth. DeWayne Wallace was born into a family with a father that was building racing engines for both drag racing and circle track racers on the east coast. DeWayne has proven himself time and time again, from building engines, drag engines and by even flying planes and getting his pilot's license all before he was finished with high school, in Baltimore, MD.

In 1963 he moved to Long Island and his racing career began with Joe Weeks in the Figure Eights at Islip Speedway. With the talents of Dewayne working on the motors, fixing the cars, and Joe's racing skills a championship team was born. They ran a Ford flathead engine back then at both Islip Speedway and Riverhead Raceway. Joe and DeWayne won many features at both tracks. The pairing of these two men was a win win situation, yes three track championships were earned by this racing duo in the 1970's at Riverhead Raceway, back when it was normal to see large fields of cars competing on race nights.

There were plenty of good times, along with some bad times, many ups and downs, highs and lows just as you all know racing does bring. Through it all over the years a strong bond grew between DeWayne and Walt Edsal. There was a genuine feeling of respect between the two, not common amongst car owners and officials.

DeWayne was always there to give a helping hand or word of advice to the other competitors at the race tracks. He put together cars with both Bob Cangilosi and Artie Shank along with working a few years with Ken Hyde on the #58 race team, but most of the time now he helps son Bobby achieve top finishes in different divisions racing both close to home and traveling to tracks far away. Your newest Hall of Famer is a devoted husband, father and all around great guy that has been involved with racing all his life... Mr DeWayne Wallace.