Rusty Wallace and Pontiac used to have a special relationship. The motorsports legend drove a Pontiac car for 11 years in his career during which he earned some of the greatest honors in NASCAR. Therefore, it is no surprise that the 67-year-old appeared in ad campaigns for the former American automobile brand. One of these ads recently found its way into the limelight and fans on social media took a trip down memory lane as they saw the picture.

Rusty Wallace was a superstar for Pontiac back in the day

The greatest achievement that Rusty Wallace earned driving a Pontiac car was during the 1989 Cup Series championship. The former NASCAR racer also won the Coca-Cola 600 and The Winston while driving a Pontiac engine. As a former champion, Wallace was one of the most popular and revered drivers in NASCAR at the time, and the automobile brand saw that as a good opportunity to use him for some advertising stints.

One such stint saw the former Cup Series champion posing in front of a 1991 Grand Prix GTP which boasted a horsepower of 210. Quite impressive for a commercial car of the time, wouldn’t you say? The ad, which was widely circulated through magazines and newspapers, boasted an interesting caption that read, “How Rusty Keeps From Getting Rusty.”

“It’s as simple as slipping a potent new 24 Valve, Twin Dual Cam V6 engine inside a new 1991 Grand Prix GTP. State-of-the-edge technology with a visceral punch of 210 horsepower. It’s how NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace keeps himself razor sharp from one weekend to the next,” the ad continued to say.

When the iconic picture made its way yo Reddit, NASCAR fans went absolutely wild with nostalgia. Several users remembered the early 90s, which was a successful era for the sport, and how Rusty Wallace, along with Pontiac, was one of the most defining combinations of that era.

Read More – Should NASCAR Begin Targeting a Younger Demographic by Following F1’s Example?

1991 Pontiac Grand Prix rekindles NASCAR fans’ memories of the early 90s

One user spoke about just how cool Rusty Wallace looked posing in front of the iconic Pontiac automobile in his jeans. “You’ll never be Rusty Wallace in jeans posing with a 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix cool,” they commented.

Another user hailed the 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix as one of the best commercial cars of the time with its roaring V6 engine, hidden door handles, and button-filled steering wheel. “That blue Grand Prix was the most beautiful car to this guy when I was in my teens watching NASCAR. 3.4l twin overhead cam V6, c**p ton of buttons on the steering wheel, and those “hidden” door handles. Man what a ride,” they reminisced.

Rusty Wallace drove cars by several manufacturers in his career, including Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge. However, if he was the star of one manufacturer, it was Pontiac. One NASCAR fan spoke about this fact under the picture of the ad campaign.

“Rusty pretty much was Pontiac in NASCAR! He drove Fords, Chevys, and Dodges in his Hall of Fame career, but he was unquestionably Pontiac’s most successful star,” they commented.

The 1991 Grand Prix had quite an aesthetic vibe to it. Several people called it the best-looking Grand Prix coupe car and for good reason.

“Gotta be the best Grand Prix coupe aesthetics-wise,” one user wrote.

“1991 – it’s a classic,” commented another.

It seems like the Pontiac 1991 Grand Prix was quite a fan favorite back in the day. What are your thoughts on the vintage automobile? Let us know in the comments below.

WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Might Have Just Saved Themselves With the $7.7 Billion Media Rights Deal