NASCAR: What can we expect out of Darrell Wallace Jr. in his first full-time Cup Series season?

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FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 03: Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Click n’ Close Ford (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway) /

Full-time ride

This show of talent led to Richard Petty’s desire to bring Wallace Jr. on board full-time in 2018. Petty recognized his team was in desperate need of an injection of talent and an energy boost. Once again, though, Wallace Jr. was plagued by a lack of sponsorship, which initially kept him from being able to sign a contract with the team.

Long-running sponsor Smithfield left with Almirola to Stewart-Haas Racing, leaving RPM without a primary sponsor for most of the 2018 season.

RPM and Wallace Jr. pulled out all the stops, even utilizing social media to attempt to bring aboard a class-A sponsor in Domino’s Pizza with an entertaining video that showcased Wallace Jr.’s fun-loving nature. Unfortunately, while there were rumors Domino’s and RPM had conversations, nothing ever came out of them.

Luckily, Richard Petty is the King and the King always has loyal subjects, as long-time team minority sponsors Air Force and STP both increased their sponsorship roles.

After a couple of months of searching, the team worked a deal with up-and-coming home mortgage site Click n’ Close, which allowed for Wallace Jr. to finally secure a full-time ride in 2018, a sign of glittered streets of gold ahead for the both driver and owner.

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