CHARLOTTE

DARRELL WALLACE JR., a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and participant in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, will run a full 2013 NASCAR Truck Series schedule, the Observer has learned.

Wallace, 19, will drive for Kyle Busch Motorsports but remain under contract with JGR. Busch drives in the Sprint Cup Series for JGR.

An official announcement of Wallace’s move is expected Saturday during the NASCAR Preview, part of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend activities, multiple sources confirmed Thursday.

JGR officials declined to comment.

Wallace would become the first full-time African-American driver in one of NASCAR’s three national series since Bill Lester’s last season in Truck with Bill Davis Racing during 2006.

Wendell Scott remains the only African-American driver to win a race in one of NASCAR’s three national series. He won in what now is known as the Sprint Cup Series on Dec. 1, 1963, at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Fla.

Wallace made four Nationwide Series starts last year with JGR and earned three top-10 finishes, including a career-best seventh at Iowa. He has six wins in the K&N Pro Series East over three seasons starting in 2010, including one last year.

Born in Mobile, Ala., Wallace has spent most of his life in the Charlotte area and graduated from Northwest Cabarrus High in Concord.