The team had sponsorship to run the No. 62 of Michael Annett from Pilot Travel Centers, but it was unable to secure significant sponsorship to run the No. 66 of Steve Wallace.  Annett has been released to pursue other opportunities.

RWI will continue to operate, assisting Steve Wallace in his pursuit of other opportunities in his racing career. RWR will also maintain and manage sponsor relationships on Steve Wallace’s behalf.

Team owner Rusty Wallace said:

A lot of teams would have run with the level of funding we have now, but we want to ensure that our team has the resources necessary to compete and to improve our operations. I promised myself and my family long ago that if the team wasn’t funded to a level with which we were comfortable, we just wouldn’t run it. I’ve worked way too hard to put part of my life savings into a race team. So, we collectively decided to take a break, regroup and focus on the future. We’ll keep working hard on sponsorship programs for Steve (Wallace) and for future seasons. This also allows us to focus on the other aspects of our companies and our brand as well, whether it’s our car dealerships, new track design projects, licensing, personal services or even something new.

Smith was indefinitely suspended last September for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR rule book. The violation stemmed from Smith’s arrest in which he was charged with three felony counts of “fraudulently attempting to obtain a controlled substance.”

Smith reportedly attempted to gain the unnamed substance on July 11, July 14, and July 22. NASCAR was informed of Smith’s arrest on July 23. Smith has been reinstated, but remains on probation until the end of the calendar year.

Smith drove the No. 63 Ford for MB Motorsports. In 11 career starts in the series, he has an average finish of 24th.

Frost, a member of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 team, was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy in May. Frost was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the Sprint Cup Series rule book.

Frost has successfully completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery Program and has been reinstated.

In addition to the reinstatement, NASCAR has also announced that two crew members have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy.

Troy Hartman, of Rusty Wallace Racing, and  Denise Harmon-Mixon, a spotter/team coordinator with Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing, have been indefinitely suspended.

The No. 64 Camry will appear in select races for the remainder of the Nationwide Series season, with Reutimann, David Stremme, and Jason Bowles sharing driving duties. Aspen Dental will appear as primary sponsor in four races: Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Watkins Glen International, and Bristol Motor Speedway. Stremme is expected to drive three of those races.

Bowles will pilot the No. 64 Aspen Dental Camry in the race at Watkins Glen. Bowles will also pilot the car at Road America and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with sponsorship to be announced later.

Additional races may be added with Reutimann behind the wheel.

No word on whether Flatout Flatbread will appear on the car beyond this weekend’s race.

Annett had a blood alcohol content of .32, four times the legal limit of .08, and was said to have been charged with resisting an officer because he did not want to be handcuffed.

Following the incident, RWR issued a statement:

Rusty Wallace Racing is aware of a traffic incident over the weekend involving Michael Annett, driver of our team’s #62 car. We have been in contact with both the authorities and NASCAR and are finishing our internal investigation into the facts. Rusty Wallace Racing does not condone, nor tolerate, substance abuse by any of its employees. In line with this, RWR is currently working with Michael to develop a package of sanctions which will address this issue. Among these will be successful completion of a comprehensive alcohol awareness program, a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol use, a year-long community service program and additional internal sanctions.

Additionally, Annett apologized for the incident. He said:

I am deeply remorseful for my actions and my extreme lack of judgment. I let down my team, my sponsors, my fans and my family; I sincerely apologize to everyone that I hurt. This was truly a life-changing moment for me. Despite all of the negativity that will undoubtedly arise from it, I’m going to strive to use this incident as the impetus to make a lot of positive changes in my life.

Prior to joining RWR, Randolph served as crew chief for Bobby Labonte and TRG Motorsports’ No. 71 Sprint Cup team.  Before that, he served as crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 N’Wide team, leading them to two victories in 2009. Randolph has also had stints at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and Petty Enterprises.

Wallace and Gaughan are both in the top 10 in Nationwide Series starts, but neither has won a race this season.

Separately, Rusty Wallace has agreed to represent the Toyota brand nationally.

Wallace said:

I’m very proud to have the opportunity for the team and I to represent the Toyota brand. Our team’s decision on manufacturers involved input from a lot of people within the organization. We decided that at the end of the day, our goal as a race team is simple: To win races and championships. Thus, we all had to take a long look at which manufacturer partner could best help us reach that goal.

Lee White, of TRD, said:

We are looking forward to our partnership and working together with Rusty Wallace Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. As a former Cup Series champion who is now a team owner, Rusty knows what is required – in terms of equipment and people – to win races and compete for championships. The team is a first-class organization, and we are proud that they will be a part of the Toyota Camry roster.