Jayski's
Silly Season Site

#21 Team News Archive

 NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages

2008 News

  • Little Debbie sponsorship note: The #21-Wood Brother's part time primary sponsor, Little Debbie snacks, is run by Seventh Day Adventists. From sundown Friday till sundown Saturday, the team has to cover all Little Debbie logos on the hauler, wear non-Little Debbie attire and remove all Little Debbie decal from the race car.(Autoweek)(3-16-2006)

    Bill Elliott's planned 2008 Schedule (was 17 races up to 23) in the #21:
    Bud Shootout [2/9]
    Daytona [2/17]
    California [2/24]
    Atlanta [3/9]
    Bristol [3/16] Jeff Green ran
    Martinsville [3/30](swapped for Bristol)
    Texas [4/6]
    Phoenix [4/12]
    Darlington [5/10]
    All-Star Showdown [5/17]
    Dover - 6/1 [added]
    Pocono [6/8]
    Michigan [6/15]
    Chicago [7/12]
    Indianapolis [7/27]
    Bristol [8/23]
    Richmond [9/6] added
    New Hampshire [9/14]
    Kansas [9/28]
    Talladega [10/5] (was not listed on billelliott.com, but in Motorcraft PR, but Wood is listed on Entry list)
    Charlotte [10/11]
    Martinsville [10/19] added
    Atlanta [10/27] added
    Texas [11/2] added
    Phoenix [11/9] added
    Homestead [11/16]
    (in part from the Bill Elliott site)

    Marcos Ambrose planned 2008 Schedule in the #21 with Little Debbie's as sponsor:
    Infineon Raceway [6/22]
    New Hampshire [6/29]
    Watkins Glen [8/10]
    Michigan [8/17]
    California [8/31]
    Dover [9/21]
    Texas [11/2], Elliott to drive the #21
    Phoenix [11/9], Elliott to drive the #21

    Jon Wood planned 2008 Schedule:
    Las Vegas [3/2] skipped, Johnny Sauter in the car
    Talladega - [4/27], Honey Buns
    Richmond - [5/3], Air Force
    Lowe's Motor Speedway - [5/25] Air Force
    Daytona - [7/5] Air Force
    Richmond - [9/6], Air Force - Bill Elliott ran the race
    Talladega [10/5] - Motorcraft

    Races [8/9] that Motorcraft is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
    Texas [4/6], Bill Elliott
    Phoenix [4/12], Elliott
    Darlington [5/10] Retro 1971 scheme, Elliott
    Michigan [6/15] Elliott
    Indianapolis [7/27] Elliott
    Bristol [8/23] Elliott / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
    New Hampshire [9/14] Elliott
    Talladega [10/5] Elliott
    Homestead [11/16] Elliott

    Races [14] that Little Debbie's/Honey Buns is scheduled to be the primary sponsor of #21 in 2008:
    Daytona [2/17] Bill Elliott
    California [2/24] Elliott
    Bristol [3/16] Jeff Green
    Martinsville [3/30] Elliott
    Talladega - [4/27] Jon Wood
    Infineon Raceway [6/22] Marcos Ambrose
    New Hampshire [6/29] Ambrose
    Pocono [8/3] Elliott. with Cosmic Brownies
    Watkins Glen [8/10] Ambrose
    Michigan [8/17] Ambrose
    California [8/31] Ambrose
    Dover [9/21] Ambrose
    Texas [11/2] Elliott instead of Ambrose
    Phoenix [11/9] Elliott instead of Ambrose

    Marcos Ambrose planned 2008 Races (4) in the #47 Little Debbie Ford [now Toyota with MWR]:
    Indianapolis [7/27]
    Kansas [9/28]
    Will run the #00 renumbered to #47 for MWR in these two races
    Atlanta [10/26]
    Homestead [11/16]

  • More Layoffs: nothing official but heard that Stewart-Hass Racing [formerly Haas CNC Racing] laid off 16 people Monday, November 17th. Also on Monday, a large layoff at #96 Hall of Fame Racing, supposedly due to lack of full sponsorship. Also, the current Hall of Fame Racing shop building is up for sale.(11-18-2008)
    UPDATE: Wood Brothers Racing has downsized its Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck Series operations [supposedly 25 people] effective immediately. The Wood Brothers expect to continue the 58-year tradition of the #21 Ford when racing resumes in February. "This economic downturn has been tough on everyone and racing is not immune," team owner Eddie Wood said. "What we're experiencing now is a dramatic correction but we will be geared up for the 51st running of the Daytona 500. We will be racing in 2009. We're just not sure what that schedule looks like at this time. We're going to do whatever is necessary to survive."(FoxSports)(11-18-2008)

  • Air Force leaving Wood Brothers? UPDATE to GEM: hearing that the Air Force sponsorship will leave the #21 Wood Brothers Ford and could be headed to either one of the Roush Racing teams [#'s 6,16,17,26,99] or Yates Racing [#28, #38].(11-6-2008)
    UPDATE: Air Force officials announced Tuesday that it will begin a new NASCAR partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports when it sponsors the #10 car driven by Reed Sorenson for the 2009 Sprint Cup season. GSD&M Idea City, the Air Force's advertising agency, organized the sponsorship and will roll out a multimedia advertising campaign to support the partnership in early 2009. The Air Force is both a primary and associate sponsor of the #10 car driven by Reed Sorenson, a 22-year-old three-time winner in the Nationwide Series. As a primary sponsor, the car will feature the Air Force paint scheme in four of 38 Sprint Cup races in 2009. For the 2009 season, the Air Force is changing their marketing strategy to rebalance their sponsorship and activation programs to increase public awareness of the Air Force and to attract more recruits. "Advertising and marketing that goes beyond the race track will help us connect with fans and emphasize the speed, power, precision, and team work that is common to both NASCAR and the Air Force," said Col. Timothy Hanson, Air Force Recruiting Service director of Strategic Communications. The Air Force has had a long-standing relationship with Wood Brothers Racing and the #21 car. "The Air Force is proud of the partnership we have had with the Wood Brothers Racing," Colonel Hanson said. "They are perhaps the most respected team in NASCAR and they have been strong supporters of the Air Force. While our sponsorship has changed we will always value the services they have provided us." The colonel added that he is excited about this new venture and confident that Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Reed Sorenson will provide new opportunities for the Air Force to achieve their sponsorship goals and inspire young Americans to consider the Air Force as a great career choice.(Air Force Recruiting Service PR)(11-13-2008) Comment here

  • Woods and HOF? UPDATE: Len and Eddie Wood [#21 Ford] say they've got their sponsorship deals in place for 2009, with Ford Motor Company and Motorcraft. But they are noncommittal about reports that the six team owners of the one-car Hall of Fame Racing operation (which runs #96 and is officially owned by Jeff Moorad,) are negotiating with the Woods to become Ford partners next season [Jayski Note: Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, Bill Saunders and Mark Griege are no longer part of the ownership group on the #96 as of about a month ago]. Ken Schrader, a former driver for the Woods, is the Moorad team's current driver. Moorad has been running a Toyota operation this season, with engineering support from Joe Gibbs; but that support contract is apparently up at the end of this season.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-27-2008)
    UPDATE: A relationship with the legendary #21 Wood Brothers and Ford is an option for the #96 team owned by Arizona Diamondbacks' executives Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel. "It's fair to say we're assessing all of our options," said Moorad. "We should know in the next couple of weeks. Our intention is the 96 continues, but we're open-minded. We've talked to a couple of teams about some interesting merger possibilities and yet we may be in business on our own." The team currently gets its Toyota chassis and engines from Joe Gibbs Racing, a deal that expires at season's end. Multiple sources told The Republic it's not expected the #96 will continue with Toyota. The Wood Brothers have long been with Ford.(Arizona Republic)(11-11-2008) Comment here

  • Elliott may come back for a few races in 2009 UPDATE 2 and Petty?: Q: You really think you'll [Bill Elliott] be able to step out of the car for good at the end of this season? What if the Wood Brothers come knocking on your door again to maybe run a few more races for them again next season?
    Elliott: At this point in time, I don't know. I think I'm just going to look at the next few races and see if I can help 'em out maybe, but it would just be a short-team deal. A few and that's it. I think right now they're trying to sell stuff, and they don't really have a whole lot else going on. If we can turn around and get something going here -- and keep it going -- that's one thing. If it's gonna go and turn around and change directions on you, then no, I don't want to do this anymore. We've been through some changes [at Wood Brothers Racing] and now we've kind of turned the corner a little bit. But there again, unless they can put several deals together, it's gonna be tough on them boys anyway. You never can predict the future.
    As far as me ever runnin' a full-time deal again? No, never. Would I run a couple first off? Yeah, maybe. But that would be it. And if they could find something to fill the void before the first of next year, I wouldn't even do that. What I'm saying, I guess, is let's get through the next few races -- and then what they find out and what they come up with will be the determining factor.(NASCAR.com)(10-22-2008)
    UPDATE: Bill Elliott said Friday he is open to returning to the Wood Brothers team next season in a part-time role. Team co-owners Eddie and Len Wood remain in discussions with potential sponsors and also in talks about possibly merging with other teams. Their 2009 plans remain up in the air. "I like the group," Elliott said of the Woods' team. "I like all the guys they've put together here. It seems like we've finally got some things working. I'll probably do a little bit [next year], but not a lot. I enjoy the driving part. I just don't like the politics. Ford's been good to me throughout the years. I still see a lot of fans that support me. I still have friends around the country I'm able to go see through this deal."(SceneDaily)(11-8-2008)
    UPDATE 2 -- Petty? Wood Brothers Racing is one of many teams in the Sprint Cup garage that’s examining any number of driver/sponsor/partnership options for 2009. One experienced veteran talking to the Wood Brothers about 2009 is Kyle Petty, who isn’t interested in a full-time ride, but would be happy to share driving responsibilities with one or more other drivers. Petty drove for the Wood Brothers from 1985-88, winning two Sprint Cup races and posting 19 top-five finishes. “Who wouldn’t want to drive for the Wood Brothers?” Petty said Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway. “I drove for ‘em before. I like them. They’ve got a little bit of money. There’s a couple of guys who have a little bit of money. And you put one of your deals and one of their deals together, the next thing you know, you’ve got a pretty healthy team.”(Ford Racing)(11-9-2008) Comment here

  • Elliott back in the #21 at LMS: Bill Elliott, will be back behind the wheel of the Wood Brothers Racing #21 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the Bank of America 500 on October 11th. Elliott has 57 starts at the 1.5 mile quad-oval and two career wins in 1984 and 1987. He also holds four pole awards, 11 top-5 and 22 top-10 finishes at the track. Elliott will also be behind the wheel of the historic #21 for the rest of the season as the team looks to build on the progress it has made during the second half of the season.(Wood Brothers Racing PR), Marco Ambrose was scheduled to run the #21 at Texas and Phoenix, guess those plans changed when JTG Daughtey Racing signed with MWR for 2009.(10-8-2008) Comment here

  • Kentucky testing Tues-Wed: Three Sprint Cup teams are scheduled to test at the Kentucky Speedway on Tuesday [9/9]: #8-Aric Almirola for DEI and an un-named driver for the R&D Test team of Haas CNC Racing; and on Wednesday [9/10]: the R&D Test team of the #21Wood Brothers Racing team with no driver listed. Fans can watch from the Turn 3 Fan Center at no charge. Schedule subject to change daily. Test times vary.(Kentucky Speedway site)(9-8-2008)

  • Carpentier to the #21? Len and Eddie Wood may be looking at signing Canadian Patrick Carpentier as their Cup driver next year. Carpentier is apparently out at Ray Evernham’s, and he’s looking for a new ride. “I haven’t talked to anyone and I don’t plan on talking to anyone until I get my cars working better,” Eddie Wood insisted. “But I do like Patrick.”(Winston Salem Journal)(9-6-2008) Comment here

  • Quick Lane to sponsor #21 at Bristol: Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center will celebrate the opening of its 500th store by sponsoring the famed #21 Ford, driven by Bill Elliott, in the August 23 Sprint Cup night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. "Our sponsorship of the #21 Fusion for the Bristol event is the perfect race to coincide with our major milestone of opening up our 500th store," said Tom Suttles, national Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center manager. "It is a great opportunity for us to expose our brand to NASCAR fans for the first time at arguably one of the most watched races of the year." The Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center brand provides no-appointment-necessary, while-you-wait automotive quick service for all makes and models, even on evenings and weekends. The work at Quick Lane is performed by factory-trained technicians, using Motorcraft parts and lubricants. "Our race team is really excited to put the Quick Lane brand in front of NASCAR fans for the first time in Bristol," said Team Owner, Eddie Wood. "We've had a long relationship with Ford and we're happy to have their new brand with us out on the track." For more information, visit www.quicklane.com.(Motorcraft PR), see an image of the car on my #21 Team Schemes page.(8-14-2008)

  • Driver plans for the #21 thru RIR: Marcos Ambrose will be in the Wood Brothers’ #21 Fusion at Michigan International Speedway and again at California Speedway on Aug. 31. Bill Elliott will drive the car on Aug. 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway and Jon Wood, son of team co-owner Eddie Wood, will drive it at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 6.(Ford Racing)(8-12-2008)

  • BAM Racing loans out crew people: While BAM Racing undergoes a complete restructuring of its race team and conducts an ongoing sponsor search, it has taken a unique stance regarding a select few employees. Crew chief David Hyder, shock specialist Dean Johnson and along with others are still under contract to BAM Racing, but team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau decided to "loan them out" to the Wood Brothers race team until the BAM Racing #49 returns to the track sometime later this year. According to Mrs. Morgenthau, "We have a number of cars prepared at the shop and our guys were just itching to get back to the race track - as we all are. I made the decision to help out the Wood Brothers by making several of our key personnel available, included David and Dean. The benefit to BAM is that they will continue to learn these new cars and be in a better position to make the BAM Racing Toyota competitive when we return. Right now we are in continuing negotiations with more than one potential sponsor and we are planning to continue racing in the Sprint Cup Series in the near future."(BAM Racing PR)(8-8-2008) Comment here

  • #21 unwraps Cosmic Brownies at Pocono: Bill Elliott will be reaching for more than just speeds nearing 165 mph at Pocono this weekend in the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Fusion. The team will be reaching for an intergalactic like adventure in the Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies Paint scheme on Sunday, August 3rd. Elliott will start the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 in the 37th position. The team’s new Crew Chief David Hyder, who took over duties in Indianapolis, is working toward giving Elliott a more consistent feel in the #21. The team has also acquired Head Engineer Hoyt Overbagh and Shock Specialist Dean Johnson. In addition to enhancing the team's engineering efforts with new personnel, the #21 Ford will be sporting a new look with the psychedelic Cosmic Brownies logo on the hood. The logo reflects the tasty treat that was developed in 1999 and has quickly become one of McKee Foods (parent company of the Little Debbie brand) most popular products.
    McKee Foods Corporation Graphic Designer Jennifer Cummins commented on the inception of the Cosmic™Brownie. She said, “To broaden our Fudge Brownie’s appeal, we tested a few brownies topped with chocolate chips instead. Consumers really liked the richer chocolate taste that the chips added, but the product looked boring. To make the product fun, brightly-colored candy coated chocolate chips were added. During brainstorming sessions, various colorful names were offered. However, when someone thought of the contrast between the dark fudge and the bright candy chips, it brought to mind cosmic bowling. Thus, the Cosmic Brownie name was born, and was an instant hit with consumers. Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies quickly became a household favorite and is now one of our top-ten products which millions of consumers enjoy each week."(Wood Brothers Racing), see an image of the blue car but with Motorcraft decals [will be cosmic brownies on Sunday] on my #21 Team Schemes page.(8-2-2008)

  • New Crew Chief for the #21: during SPEED's TV coverage of Sprint Cup practice at Pocono Raceway, it was mentioned that David Hyder [former crew chief at the #21 in 2006, #49 BAM Racing, and the #00 MWR team] is now the crew chief of the #21 Wood Brothers Racing team for driver Bill Elliott/Jon Wood/Marcos Ambrose. Elliott is in the car this weekend at Pocono.(8-1-2008) Comment here

  • JTG Racing...to CUP? UPDATE: YES hearing JTG Racing could move up to Sprint Cup in 2009 with Marcos Ambrose driving and the team could switch from Ford to Chevy, no idea if Daugherty would be part of this deal. Other rumors have Ambrose going to the #21 of the Wood Brothers in 2009, that team would remain a Ford. Ambrose is schedule to run eight races this season in the #21 and four in the #47 Ford fielded by JTG Racing.(6-25-2008)
    UPDATE: JTG Racing owner Tad Geschickter said Friday he hopes to move Marcos Ambrose to the Sprint Cup Series next season, in addition to having Nationwide and truck series teams in 2009. The Australian Ambrose, in his second season in NASCAR’s No. 2 series, made his Cup debut at Infineon Raceway last month for Wood Brothers Racing. Ambrose is slated to drive four Cup races later this year under the JTG banner. JTG currently fields two cars in the Nationwide Series, for Ambrose and Kelly Bires. Geschickter said Bires would stay in the Nationwide Series in 2009, with Coleman Pressley to drive for the team in the truck series. The team currently fields Fords but Geschickter said the manufacturer the team will be affiliated with next year is open.(SceneDaily.com)(7-5-2008)
    UPDATE 2: Nationwide Series racer Marcos Ambrose will become a full-time Sprint Cup driver next season, thanks to a new partnership former NBA player Brad Daugherty has with JTG Racing. Daugherty, now a NASCAR analyst for ESPN, has become a part-owner of JTG Racing. The team will be renamed JTG Daugherty Racing. It will continue to field two Nationwide Series entries, but add a full-time Sprint Cup entry next year with Ambrose at the wheel. "I have a tremendous passion for racing," Daugherty said Tuesday. "This gives me another avenue to be involved in the sport. It's a big stake to do this at he Cup level, and I hope it opens doors in the sport for other minorities and women." Little Debbie snack cakes will sponsor the car, which will use #47.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2008) Comment here

  • Elliott testing #21 at Nashville; Wood to run Daytona: Wood Brothers Racing is set to test Nashville Superspeedway on Wednesday, July 2nd.  Coming off of a strong performance in Sonoma, the team experienced disappointment last weekend when they did not make the race in New Hampshire.  The #21 team and driver Marcos Ambrose found that the Little Debbie #21 Ford did not respond to any changes that were made and the handling issues persisted during the practice sessions and qualifying on Friday afternoon.  Driver Marcos Ambrose stated that after such a fantastic run at Infineon, not making the race was disheartening. He said, “It’s really disappointing.  I just feel bad for the Wood Brothers.  I’ve had limited experience in the COT and we just didn’t roll off the truck that great and I haven’t had enough experience to really give them direction to tune on it.  I tried as hard as I could there, but it just wasn’t to be.”
    Taking a proactive stance, the team and Bill Elliott will be testing a new car at Nashville.  Ford Racing Engineer, Dave Cimba, commented on the team’s goals for the test, “It was time to put that [New Hampshire] chassis away and start from scratch. We believed that we had fixed previous issues, but it wasn’t the case, new issues would develop, so it’s time to cut it down and start over. The goal of this test is to make things better on the cars week in and week out and to try new ideas that will make performance and handling better overall. Bill [Elliott] is the best candidate to drive because he’s been in the #21 for most of the season and can give us good feedback for tracks that we race on similar to Nashville [Superspeedway]. As we test new ideas and find that they work we will incorporate them into the rotation of the fleet of cars that we have built.” The team also plans to step up the testing program for the rest of the season on intermediate tracks where the most improvement is needed. Wood Brothers Racing will head to Daytona International Speedway for July 4th weekend in the patriotic #21 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion with Jon Wood once again behind the wheel for the Coke Zero 400 on July 5th.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(7-1-2008) Comment here

  • Brad Daugherty starting truck team in '09? UPDATE JTG Racing...to CUP?: After discussion surrounding the recent announcement of Randy Moss' possible entry in the Truck Series [supposedly the Morgan-Dollar team] during ESPN's NASCAR Now television broadcast on Wednesday night, analyst Brad Daugherty announced he too is going racing in 2009 with his own Craftsman Truck Series team. [No details given.](The Daly Planet)(5-1-2008)
    UPDATE: As part of an article about Kelly Bires, ESPN's Mark Ashenfelter reports...It's been a hectic year for JTG, which ended its relationship with Wood Brothers Racing on the competition side prior to the season. Since the year started, teammate Marcos Ambrose has swapped crew chiefs and the team has, at least temporarily, closed its Craftsman Truck Series team. And Brad Daugherty, a former team owner turned broadcaster, has bought into the team. [JTG Racing fields the #47 and 59 Nationwide teams and had fielded the #20-truck which has since ceased operations. [No word on if/when truck team will return to the Truck Series]. For complete article visit: ESPN.com.(6-24-2008)
    UPDATE 2: hearing JTG Racing could move up to Sprint Cup in 2009 with Marcos Ambrose driving and the team could switch from Ford to Chevy, no idea if Daugherty would be part of this deal. Other rumors have Ambrose going to the #21 of the Wood Brothers in 2009, that team would remain a Ford. Ambrose is schedule to run eight races this season in the #21 and four in the #47 Ford fielded by JTG Racing.(6-25-2008)

  • Ambrose back in the #21 at NHMS: Marcos Ambrose will be in the #21 Little Debbie Honey Buns [not Motorcraft] Ford Fusion this weekend in Loudon, N.H., attempting to qualify for his second consecutive Cup race. Ambrose, a two-time Australian V8 Supercars champion, made his Sprint Cup debut last weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.(Ford Racing PR)(6-25-2008)

  • Pressley to help out Ambrose: Marcos Ambrose said Robert Pressley would practice and qualify Ambrose’s #59 JTG Racing Nationwide Series Ford at the Milwaukee Mile next weekend should Ambrose qualify for the Sprint Cup race at Infineon Raceway. Ambrose will attempt to make the Toyota/Save Mart 350 in the Wood Brothers’ #21 Sprint Cup Ford. If he qualifies, Ambrose said Friday he would drive in both Cup practices next Saturday before trying to make it to Milwaukee in time for the Camping World RV Rental 250. “We got all the planes and helicopters and stuff that we need to get it done,” Ambrose said. “The first thing is to get that car in the race at Sonoma, and then we activate that plan. If we don’t, then I’ll just make my way to Milwaukee and practice and qualify the car and do the weekend as normal. We intend to try to do both, depending on how it works. If I get the 21 Wood Brothers car in the race, my focus is going to be primarily on that package.” Pressley, a 10-time winner in the No. 2 series, last ran a race in 2005. He’s a former driver for owner Tad Geschickter’s team and has served as a driver coach for JTG.(SceneDaily)(6-15-2008)

  • Ambrose tests at VIR with Wood Bros: Australian NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose has completed his first test with Wood Brothers Racing in preparation for his Sprint Cup debut at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California in three weeks time. Ambrose drove the famous #21 Wood Brothers Ford in an open test at Virginia International Raceway which was attended by the majority of the Sprint Cup field. Ambrose completed 38 laps for a total of about 85 miles (136kms) and was conservatively in the top five cars at the end of the day, which was not officially recorded or timed. Ambrose will make his debut in NASCAR’s top ranks in a Little Debbie-backed Wood Brothers Ford Fusion at Sonoma on June 22. He will then run a further seven events for Wood Brothers at New Hampshire, Watkins Glen, Michigan, California, Dover, Texas and Phoenix. Ambrose will also drive four Sprint Cup events for JTG Racing, the first of which will be at Indianapolis in August. He will also run at Kansas, Atlanta and Homestead for that team.(BAM Media PR)(6-4-2008) Comment here

  • Ambrose eyeing Cup: Marcos Ambrose was encouraged, but also somewhat realistic following his recent Sprint Cup test at Pocono International Raceway. The Tuesday-Wednesday test marked his first time in a Cup car [actually Ambrose practiced a 2nd Robby Gordon car at Watkins Glen in 2007 before qualifying was rained out] and his first time at the three-sided, 2.5-mile track in the mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. “It went OK, pretty good,” the 31-year-old Australian said Saturday at Dover International Speedway. “But it was a difficult place to get in a Cup car for the first time. I went there to get in laps and get a feel for that kind of [Cup] car. We ran in the middle of the pack most of the day. Another few tenths [of a second] would have been nice, but, still, I learned a lot about these Cup cars. The adjustment [from Nationwide to Cup COT car] is as tough as everyone said it would be. And Pocono is about as hard a track to learn as I’ve ever seen. I know we have plenty of work to do, but we got better as we went along and got a good feel for where we are.” Ambrose will run a handful of Cup races this season, some in the Wood Brothers’ #21 Ford and some with #47 Ford-based JTG Racing. He’ll run Sonoma and Watkins Glen for the Woods, plus a race in Michigan and one in Loudon [New Hampshire]. “I can’t remember the others he’ll do for us,” team co-owner Eddie Wood said Saturday. “It’s on a calendar somewhere at the shop. I’m sure of those four, but there are maybe three or four more he’ll do for us.” Ambrose also will do at least Indianapolis, Kansas, Atlanta, and Homestead in the #47 Fusion of JTG Racing.(Ford Racing)(6-2-2008)

  • Bill Elliott To Be Inducted Into Atlanta Sports Hall Of Fame: Bill Elliott is scheduled to be inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame this weekend.  The Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to honoring Atlanta’s sports heroes.  Prior inductees include Hank Aaron, Evander Holyfield, Phil Niekro and Dominique Wilkins.   This year’s list of inductees include Steve Bartkowski (Atlanta Falcons all-time passing leader), Claude Humphrey (Atlanta Falcons six time pro bowler), Edwin Moses (four-time Olympic and world gold medalist), John Schuerholz (General Manager Atlanta Braves from 1990 to 2007), Louise Suggs (LPGA founder and winner of 58 LPGA tournaments), and Bill Elliott, NASCAR Legend.  The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday night beginning at 5:30pm/et.  This recognition alone demonstrates the kind of career and the kind of person Elliott is.  However, in addition to meeting his induction obligations, Elliott is also driving the #21 Air Force Ford at Dover this weekend.  Elliott will arrive at Dover on Friday and practice and qualify the car.  He will fly back to Atlanta on Saturday immediately following the Sprint Cup Series final practice. After the induction ceremony Elliott will return to Dover to compete in the Best Buy 400 Benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway. Co-owner Eddie Wood noted, “Bill is a true champion and a true family friend.  It’s no wonder he has been inducted to multiple halls of fame and voted NASCAR’s most popular driver 16 times.  We are blessed to have a person like Bill working with us.”(Wood Brothers Racing)(5-30-2008) Comment here

  • Wood Brothers' Salute the Troops Goes On; The #96 Car: Wood Brothers' "Salute the Troops" message will pay tribute this Memorial Day weekend, thanks to the generosity of Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel, co-owners of Hall Of Fame Racing and the #96 DLP HDTV Toyota Camry, driven by J.J. Yeley. On Thursday, the Wood Brothers #21 Air Force Ford Fusion failed to qualify for the Coca Cola 600. Immediately following qualifying, Tom Garfinkel offered to display the Salute the Troops decal, as well as the Air Force logo on their race car. Eddie Wood noted, "It's tough not being in the top 35. We felt Jeff and Tom truly appreciate our Armed Forces and the difficulty of this sport. We feel their offer to help came from the heart." The Salute the Troops decals were to be placed on the # 21 car this Memorial Day weekend to honor members of the Air Force, as well as the rest of the Armed Forces for their service to our country.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(5-25-2008) Comment here

  • Wood Brothers Racing Brings Back Mercury Paint Scheme: Wood Brothers Racing will be placing its 1971 Mercury paint scheme on the #21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion in Darlington this weekend for the Dodge Challenger 500 on Saturday night, May 10th. Bill Elliott will drive the #21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion with the vintage paint scheme. The candy apple red and white COT with the signature gold numbers will commemorate a time in Wood Brother's racing history when David Pearson drove the #21 to five wins and eight pole starting positions at Darlington Raceway. The #21 Purolator Mercury moved back into the racing scene when Leonard Wood recently restored the race car that was housed in the Darlington Raceway Museum for over 30 years. David Pearson and Carl Edwards brought modern and classic race cars together again in a media event for the newly surfaced raceway in April. Pearson made laps in the original Mercury as Carl Edwards followed in the new COT style race car. Leonard Wood stood by and buckled Pearson in, as he did as Pearson’s crew chief years ago. Scenes of the special feature will air during the pre-race show NASCAR Raceday on Speed Saturday, May 10th at 5:00pm/et.(Wood Brothers Racing)(5-7-2008) Comment here

  • No #21 driver named yet for RIR UPDATE: The Wood Brothers have not announced who will drive for its [#21 Ford] car this week at Richmond, but Bill Elliott is scheduled to drive for the team at Darlington Raceway the following weekend.(Roanoke Times), Schrader?(4-28-2008)
    UPDATE: Jon Wood will drive the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion at this weekend’s Sprint Cup event at the Richmond International Raceway. The 26 year old driver will be attempting to qualify for his second start of the 2008 season, after qualifying 12th at Talladega Superspeedway last week.(Wood Brothers Racing) Comment here

  • Jon Wood in the #21 at Talladega: Jon Wood will make his 2008 Sprint Cup Series debut in the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Honey Buns Ford in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 27th. Since the race was not a scheduled event for Bill Elliott, the team felt that Jon was a logical choice given his experience in the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series on superspeedways. Jon has a busy schedule this week as he is also entered to drive the #21 Air Force Ford in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 CTS race at the Kansas Speedway on April 26th. The team is making every effort to make sure Jon participates in both events. An alternative driver is being considered to practice, qualify and possibly race the truck if arrangements cannot be made to get Jon to the Kansas Speedway.(Wood Brothers PR)(4-21-2008) Comment here

  • Logo added to #21 Hood: The #21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion of Bill Elliott will be sporting an additional logo on its hood in Phoenix. Ford Motor Company held a contest for the dealerships in its West Division. Landmark Ford of Tigard, Oregon won the grand prize of placing their company name on the hood of the #21 race car for this weekend’s race event. The greater Portland area dealership also won two additional prizes for second and third which awarded race tickets and garage passes. The landslide win is recognized by Ford Motor Company as a great accomplishment. Ford Motor Company’s Sales and Marketing Manager for the West Hub, John Ulrich, commented on the dealership’s contest sweep. Ulrich said, “Landmark Ford was the highest performer out of eight dealerships who participated in the contest. They exceeded their objectives in parts and retail service excellence. Ford Motor Company is very proud of the dealership and we are very excited that they used a Ford Motor Company contest to motivate their people.”(Wood Bros Racing)(4-12-2008) Comment here

  • Special Salute the troops scheme at LMS in May: Memorial Day Weekend is always thrilling for race fans at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This year, a special celebration of America's military personnel takes place with the Salute the Troops program. Dale Earnhardt Jr and Hendrick Motorsports join the celebration of America's heroes with a special National Guard paint scheme on the #88 Chevy. This special paint scheme features the Salute the Troops logo on the hood, as well as the lower side panels. Salute the Troops will be an on-track program based around strength, patriotism and philanthropy. By positioning this program around Memorial Day, Motorsports Authentics and the teams involved will look to celebrate and honor one of the greatest federal holidays for Americans all year long. The program calls for teams to carry the "Salute the Troops" insignia and/or showcase a special paint out featuring a branch of the United States military. The Salute the Troops program will be on track in May for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This program will celebrate the history and tradition of the military branches on this Memorial Day weekend. The pre-race show for Memorial Day will include a military demonstration for the fans and then followed by a concert for the troops. In support of this program, Motorsports Authentics will create a unique and collectible line of Salute the Troops merchandise. Motorsports Authentics will create a line of Salute the Troops die-cast and collectables that will raise money for military families. In addition, MA will work with corporate sponsors to raise money and awareness for the men and women of the armed forces.
    Scheduled Participating Sprint Cup Drivers:
    #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Carrying the logo on hood and rear quarter panels
    #24-Jeff Gordon - Carrying the logo on the decklid
    #8-Mark Martin - Full military paint out with program logos
    #21-Jon Wood - Full military paint out with program logos
    #07-Clint Bowyer - Carrying the logo on the rear spoiler, along with Toast the Troops logo on the deck lid
    Scheduled Participating Nationwide Seires Drivers:
    #88-Brad Keselowski - Full military paint out
    See the schemes on my #88 Team schemes page, #24 Team schemes page, #8 Team schemes page, #21 Team schemes page and #07 Team schemes page and on the Nationwide Series schemes Gallery.(4-8-2008)

  • Smith continues as #21 crew chief: Mike Smith will be the interim crew chief for Wood Brothers Racing and driver #21-Bill Elliott again this weekend for the Samsung 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Smith debuted in the role last weekend, and he is optimistic about the car the team is bringing for Elliott, who has 11 starts at Texas with one pole position and one top-10.(SceneDaily).(4-4-2008) Comment here

  • Wood Brothers Racing Texas Preview Motorcraft Primary Sponsorship Debut: Wood Brothers Racing will unveil Motorcraft’s black, white and red paint scheme as the primary sponsor for this weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott will drive #21 Ford Fusion in the Samsung 500 on Sunday, April 6th. Geoff Smith, Motorcraft’s Motorsports Manager, explained why Motorcraft chose to debut their primary sponsorship at Texas Motor Speedway. He stated, “Motorcraft is excited to launch our 2008 sponsorship season in Texas this weekend.  Texas is a very large and important market for Ford and Motorcraft parts. The Texas NASCAR race will afford us the opportunity to continue to grow our brand image given NASCAR's popularity and exposure.   We will provide trackside hospitality to reward local dealer and distributor contest winners who will attend the race as our guests.” “Team 21” is looking forward to racing a newly built chassis. Crew Chief, Mike “Andretti” Smith commented on this week’s preparation. He noted, “We went to Ford [Racing] this week to work on the 7-post shaker rig with the actual Texas race car. We think we came up with something really good.” He admited that they will focus on both qualifying and race runs during the initial practice on Friday because they are using a setup that is different from what they have tried at other tracks that resemble Texas, such as Atlanta.  For more information on Motorcraft , please visit www.motorcraft.com.(Wood Brothers Racing)(4-3-2008) Comment here

  • Interim crew chief named for the #21: Team engineer Mike Smith is the interim crew chief for the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Sprint Cup Series team this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Smith is an aerodynamic specialist who has been with the team for 18 years. Bill Elliott is driving for the Wood Brothers this weekend at Martinsville. The team is outside the top 35 in owners points, but has access to a past champions provisional and is, therefore, locked into the field for Sunday’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500.(SceneDaily)(3-28-2008)

  • Original Wood Brothers Purolator Mercury on Display: The Wood Brothers Racing original 1971 #21 Purolator Mercury driven by David Pearson has been brought home to Stuart, Virginia where it will be on display at the Wood Brothers Racing museum beginning this week. The legendary race car is in fact, the same machine that David Pearson won his first race with the Wood Brothers and also shared the infamous 11 out of 18 wins in 1973. The race car also known as "The Wood Brothers Purolator Mercury" was loaned to the Darlington Speedway 34 years ago and still carries all of the original parts and paint scheme as it was raced in those infamous years. It was brought back to the Stuart, Virginia race shop for routine maintenance and restoration. The museum of Wood Brothers memorabilia spans 58 years of racing. Among some of the many items on display are; a 1989 Neil Bonnett Thunderbird, a 1937 Glen Wood Ford Coach, and cars from Jon Wood and Keven Wood's careers. Every inch of the walls are decked with plaques and photos, new and old that Glen Wood personally hung himself. There are also a variety of trophies, helmets, uniforms and other items from the Wood Brothers history. Nineteen of NASCAR's "50 Greatest Drivers" have piloted the Wood Brothers cars over the past 58 years, such as David Pearson, AJ Foyt, Curtis Turner, Dale Jarrett and others. The museum is open weekdays from 9:00am to noon, & 1:00pm to 5:00pm. There is no admission fee, and the gift shop offers varied souvenir items. It's located only thirty minutes from Martinsville Speedway, just off highway 58. The museum and souvenir shop is also open this Saturday during the Martinsville Race weekend until 1pm.(WBR PR)(3-27-2008) Comment here

  • #21 Crew chief leaves team: Gene Nead, crew chief for the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Sprint Cup car, has left the team, team officials confirmed Monday morning. Nead joined the Wood Brothers in November 2007 after a stint with Robby Gordon Motorsports. With a variety of drivers this year – Bill Elliott, Johnny Sauter and Jeff Green – the Wood Brothers have failed to qualify for four of the five events. The team is 44th in owners points and has had to qualify for races on speed but should be OK for the race in Martinsville because with Dale Jarrett’s retirement and Kurt Busch now being locked in with points, Elliott is expected to be the only past champion who isn’t locked into the field. The team has not yet named a replacement for Nead.(SceneDaily)(3-24-2008)
    UPDATE: “We had a whole bunch of testing planned, to go out and just race more and go through some things and figure them out,” [#22-Dave] Blaney [of Bill Davis Racing] said. “We needed the days to try to learn something, but we missed out on a couple.” Instead, the #22 Cat team will attempt to make up for lost time this week before going to Martinsville. Monday’s workout will be at a short track in North Carolina in preparation for Martinsville, while Tuesday and Wednesday in Nashville are for general testing. “We’ll try to learn all we can this week,” Blaney said. Since Bristol, the Cat team has added Gene Nead, who left a year ago to join another team. “He’s coming back,” Blaney said of the crew member whose role will most likely be that of engineer. “He’s very good,” Blaney said of Nead, who will help crew chief Tommy Baldwin in all phases. “If you can add some people to make your team stronger, no matter when, that’s a good thing. Hopefully, it’ll give us a little shot in the arm and turn it around.”(Youngstown Vindicator)(3-24-2008) Comment here

  • Why no Elliott at Bristol? UPDATE: Bill Elliott is not running the #21 Wood Brothers Little Debbie Ford at Bristol Motor Speedway this week, supposedly Elliott asked to switch the Bristol race [scheduled for Elliott] with Martinsville on March 28-30th, so the team hired Jeff Green to run at Bristol. Green has won a pole at Bristol in August 2001.(3-14-2008)
    UPDATE: Wood Brothers Racing and the #21 Team spent the week tapping every available resource looking for answers on how to get the car to perform better and make races.  They were excited about their findings and were looking forward to qualifying for this Sunday's Food City 500. Earlier in the week, the decision was made to ask Bill Elliott to drive the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway, a race he was not scheduled for, instead of Bristol. This resulted in the team finding another driver for the Bristol race. Wood Brothers asked Jeff Green to pilot the #21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion and he agreed. Green is a proven Nationwide and Sprint Cup series veteran who has a history of top finishes and poles at the infamous short speedway. With Green behind the wheel, the #21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion finished the only practice before qualifying as the ninth fastest car overall. The team was confident that if Jeff and the car qualified as they had practiced the #21 would be in the race on Sunday.  It appeared as though the #21 Team was going to have the kind of weekend their efforts merited. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Around noon, the rain clouds arrived at Bristol Motor Speedway and loomed overhead most of the afternoon. NASCAR did its best to try to get qualifying in, but it just wasn't meant to be. After several delays and efforts to dry the track, NASCAR made the call at 5:00 pm to cancel qualifying. As the rain continued, they set the field according to last year's owner points, past champions and the top teams remaining according to this year's owner points.  This meant that the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Team and Jeff Green would not be racing this weekend. While missing the race is a grave disappointment, the depth of which is only truly appreciated by those actually missing the race, Wood Brothers Racing leaves Bristol knowing they put forth a car that was fast enough to make the race on speed.(Wood Brothers racing PR)(3-15-2008) Comment here

  • Bill Elliott's son wins title: Twelve-year-old Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, won his first major racing title Saturday by clinching the Young Guns division of Atlanta Motor Speedway's Winter Flurry. The Winter Flurry is a six-race competition for eight divisions of Legends, Bandolero and Roadsters. Other champions crowned Saturday were Bubba Harry (Roadsters), Kyle Plott (Bandits), Trey Maughan (Outlaws), Rawlin West (Chargers), Justin Swilling (Semi-Pro), Jeff Haynie (Masters) and Billy Fulson (Pro). Elliott's crew chief is his father Bill, who said he was just "tickled to death that nothing fell off the car" during the race. But he shouldn't start looking for a full-time gig in that arena, according to his son. "He climbed out and said, 'It's junk,'" Bill Elliott said. "I guess he must have got that from me. But he's doing a good job. Right now, it's just been a good way to spend time with him. I didn't get to spend too much time with my other kids, and I regret that." Chase Elliott, from Ballground, Ga., also sees these early races as a stepping stone for his future. "It was fun," Chase Elliott said. "We're just working hard, having a good time. We're moving in to a Legends car this summer and just want to keep moving up. I guess my goal is to get to Cup one day." His mother, Cindy, is bracing herself for that. "I tried to deter him when he was younger; I gave him golf lessons, tried to get him involved in baseball," Cindy Elliott said, laughing. "But ever since he's been old enough to talk, he's wanted to be a race car driver. And he's doing a great job, having a lot of fun. I'm so proud of him."(AMS Pit Notes)(3-10-2008)

  • Wood skips Vegas, Sauter to run #21: Jon Wood told Mike Bagley and David Poole this morning on "The Morning Drive" (Sirius NASCAR Radio 128) that he will step aside for this weekend's Sprint Cup UAW Dodge 400 at Las Vegas. Jon feels he is not ready to drive his family's car this weekend due to lack of experience in NASCAR's new race car. He has elected to take a pass and let Johnny Sauter take the wheel. The Wood Brothers decided to put Sauter in the car because they feel he is the best qualifier that was available. Bill Elliott was unavailable for this weekend's event due to other commitments. Wood's next Sprint Cup race is scheduled to be the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in May.(Sirius NASCAR Radio)(2-27-2008) Comment here

  • Fatback looking for a gig..TV?: Former Sprint Cup crew chief Michael “Fatback” McSwain was in the garage at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, looking for work, but not the kind he used to do when he was atop the pit box for drivers like Bobby Labonte and Ricky Rudd. McSwain, a devoutly religious man and the father of two young children, decided last year that he wanted to get off the crew chief treadmill and the savage grind of 38 races per year and day after day of testing. To that end, he’s become something of a jack-of-all-trades, doing some media work – he’s looking for more – auctioning memorabilia on eBay and other odds and ends. “I’m doing a little bit of everything, anything I can do to generate income,” said McSwain. “I’m in the process of building a tire store and front-end alignment shop in Dallas, N.C. I’ve been doing a little bit of TV stuff, some one-off shows, some fill-in work. … Anything I can do to generate enough income to stay home with my family.” McSwain was optimistic about the next phase of his life. “It’s a big, old world, there’s a lot of opportunities out there,” he said. “I started in this business at the bottom, so I’ll start my next venture at the bottom.”(SPEED)(2-17-2008) Comment here

  • Elliott to retire for good at end of 2008: After 33 years on the NASCAR trail, Dawsonville's Bill Elliott is ready to head down another path. #21-Elliott, who did not finish high enough in Thursday's 150-mile qualifier to start Sunday's Daytona 500, said 2008 will be his last year as a Sprint Cup driver. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's time to move on and let this other generation have it," Elliott said. "I just feel like it's good to let everyone know what my thinking is. I've kind of put it off and rolled with the flow these last few years, but it's time. It's time to go do something different." He said he'll continue to drive the #21 Wood Brothers Ford on a part-time basis as he had planned, but if the Woods' other drivers, Marcos Ambrose and Jon Wood, seem ready to take on a larger role, he might cut short his planned 17-race schedule. "Ambrose might fall into place, or Jon might fall into place, and that would be what the Woods need to do to make the next step," he said. Another young racer is figuring into Elliott's decision, too —- his 12-year-old son Chase, who is rapidly developing into a formidable competitor in the Bandolero racing series. Traveling to Chase's races and also competing in Cup races has proved to be a logistical nightmare. "Last summer, I'd go race with Chase on Thursday night, then I'd pick up and go to wherever the Cup race was," Elliott said. "The earliest I got anywhere was 10 p.m., and it could be up to 4 in the morning to get where I was going, depending on when we raced. That's crazy." As a full-time driver, Elliott won 44 Cup races, 55 poles and the 1988 championship, but since going to part-time status after the 2003 season, he has had just one top-10 finish, at Indianapolis in 2004. Still, he has no regrets about the latter part of his career.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(2-15-2008) Comment here

  • Woods miss 500 field: The Wood Brothers [#21 Ford] will not compete in the Daytona 500 for the first time since 1962 after Bill Elliott failed to advance through his qualifying race Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. "I don't think there are words that can describe it, but that's life,'' Elliott said. "There will be days like this." Sunday's 50th Daytona 500 will be only the third time the Wood Brothers have not been a part of this race. Co-owner Eddie Wood said he'll remain for the race but admits he'll likely have a hollow feeling. "I don't know what that'll feel like [not to be in the 500]. I'm sure it's going to be bad,'' he said.(Roanoke Times)(2-15-2008) Comment here

  • Jon Wood appears in Air Force driving safety video: The Sprint Cup Series driver of the Air Force-sponsored #21 Ford recently appeared in a public service announcement video on driving safety. In the 1.5 minute production, Jon Wood emphasizes the use of seat belts, observing speed limits, and not driving after drinking. Mr. Wood, the third-generation member of the Wood Brothers Racing family, progressed through the ranks of karts and late-model stock cars to the Craftsman Truck Series, where he won races for Roush Racing. He moved to the Busch Series for the current family conglomerate, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, and in 2007 made his long-anticipated Nextel Cup debut in the #21 Wood Brothers Ford.(Air Force Link)(2-1-2008)

  • Motorcraft, Elliott and Wood Brothers team up in 2008: Three longtime Ford Motor Company icons are teaming up again in 2008: The Motorcraft brand, Bill Elliott and the Wood Brothers. Motorcraft, a Ford Motor Company brand of automotive parts ranging from filters and spark plugs to engines and transmissions, will be the primary sponsor on the famed Wood Brothers #21 Sprint Cup Ford Fusion for eight races, beginning in April at Texas and culminating with the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Motorcraft brand will also be an associate sponsor for all other 2008 NASCAR events. Bill Elliott is scheduled to be the driver for all of Motorcraft's races. Elliott, Motorcraft and the Wood Brothers first joined forces last season. Motorcraft first sponsored Wood Brothers Racing in 2001. The Wood Brothers are acknowledged pioneers in the sport of stock-car racing, and have earned 96 wins in over 50 years of NASCAR competition - second most in Ford Racing history. The 2008 Motorcraft Primary Sponsor Sprint Cup Schedule: Texas on April 6, Phoenix on April 12, Michigan on June 15, Indy on July 27, Bristol on Aug 23, New Hampshire on Sept 14, Talladega on Oct and Homestead-Miami on Nov 16. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.(PCGCampbell/Ford PR)(1-24-2008) Comment here

  • Elliott to run the #21 at Daytona..after that? UPDATE 2 17 races: Wood Brothers Racing is set to announce driver and sponsor information regarding their #21 Sprint Cup entry for the 2008 Daytona Speedweeks events. Veteran driver Bill Elliott has agreed to once again serve as the driver of the #21 Ford Fusion in this year's opening event. The team will test with Elliott on January 14-16th of this month. He will compete in all Speedweeks events, which will include the February 9th Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duels-and the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on February 17th. For the Daytona 500 event, the team will have primary sponsorship from McKee Foods, Little Debbie Snack Cakes Brand. Associate sponsors for this event will again be the United States Air Force and Ford Motor Company's Motorcraft Brand. Crew Chief Gene Nead will lead all efforts in the Sprint Cup Series.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR), no word on other driver schedules for the team such as Ken Schrader. Marcos Ambrose is scheduled to run 12 races, no schedule announced yet.(1-4-2008)
    UPDATE: Bill Elliott will drive the Wood Brothers' #21 at Daytona before eventually turning the team's entry over to Marcos Ambrose and Jon Wood for most of the races. "I'd just as soon run a good bit at the start and then let Ambrose and Jon run as time goes on here," said Elliott. "I kind of like that plan. Let's get started and run a little bit. Really, it's a perfect world for me, and I can't argue with it."(Gaston Gazette)(1-20-2008)
    UPDATE 2: per billelliott.com, it shows Bill Elliott's 2008 planned Cup schedule in the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. Seventeen races, including the 2008 Budweiser Shootout along with the Daytona 500, then California [2/24]; Atlanta [3/9]; Bristol [3/16]; Texas [4/6]; Phoenix [4/12]; Darlington [5/10]; Pocono [6/8]; Michigan [6/15]; Chicago [7/12]; Indianapolis [7/27]; Bristol [8/23]; New Hampshire [9/14]; Kansas [9/28]; Charlotte [10/11] and Homestead [11/16].(1-21-2008) Comment here
  • Wood Brothers, JTG Split Stock-Car Operation: Wood Brothers Racing and JTG Racing have changed their business model, but the two are still working together in a marketing and technological partnership, JTG Racing owner Tad Geschickter said Saturday afternoon. Geschickter will still be responsible for finding sponsorships for both the teams he owns and the Wood Brothers teams. The teams will have separate directors of competition and separate budgets. The Wood Brothers will field the #21 Sprint Cup Ford (with multiple drivers likely including Ken Schrader, Jon Wood and Marcos Ambrose [......and Bill Elliott]) and the #21 truck with Jon and Keven Wood in the seat. JTG Racing will field a Cup car in four races for Ambrose as well as Nationwide Series cars for Ambrose (#59) and Kelly Bires (#47) and a truck for Scott Lagasse Jr. (#20). Geschickter said that he changed crew chiefs for Ambrose in the Nationwide Series as Walter Giles (a fellow Australian to Ambrose) has come over from his position as director for race engineering at DEI.(SceneDaily.com)
    AND This season, the two organizations will continue to work out of a 120,000-square-foot shop in Harrisburg, N.C., that currently houses pairs of teams in Cup, Nationwide and the Truck Series. [Bill] Elliott will test the #21 car Monday-Wednesday at Daytona and compete in all Speedweeks events that car will contest, including the Feb. 9 Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Duel qualifying race on Feb. 14 and the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. The team has sponsorship for nine Cup races from the U.S. Air Force, with Jon Wood driving; and for 14 weekends from the Little Debbie brand of snack cakes. Little Debbie will be on the car for the Daytona 500, but Tasmanian Marcos Ambrose will be the primary driver of the #21 in the other Little Debbie races. Elliott will drive the #21's other Cup races, with most of their sponsorship in place, Eddie Wood said. He said the team had primary sponsorship available for six races. Geschickter said Ambrose would also drive four races in JTG Racing's #47 Little Debbie Sprint Cup car, at Indianapolis, Kansas, Atlanta and Homestead.(NASCAR.com)(1-13-2008)

  • Air Force returns to the #21 in 2008, Wood to drive: Wood Brothers Racing announced the United States Air Force will not only be the primary sponsor for nine Sprint Cup Series races in 2008, but will also play a role in the Wood Brothers' upcoming campaign in the Craftsman Truck Series as an associate sponsor. The United States Air Force is entering its eighth year of marketing, recruiting and sponsorship of the Wood Brothers' family-based team. Third-generation drivers-and cousins-Jon Wood and Keven Wood will share the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Ford F-150 entry in the Craftsman Truck Series for the 2008 season. Jon is the 26-year-old son of Eddie Wood; Keven is the 23-year-old son of Len Wood. Jon Wood is anxious to get back to racing after the off-season break. "I'm very enthusiastic about this year's schedule as I will be representing the United States Air Force in both the Sprint Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series," said Jon, a two-time winner in the Truck Series. "It'll be a lot of fun to share time with Keven in the truck because it's something we've always known would happen-and now it's here." Jon and Keven are grandchildren of Glen Wood, who founded the team in 1950 and was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998. Crew chief Gene Nead will lead the efforts of the #21 Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series. John Monsam will return as the crew chief for the #21 F-150 in the Craftsman Truck Series.(Wood Brothers Racing PR)(1-11-2008)

    2007 News

  • Little Debbie Renews with Wood Brothers: Wood Brothers Racing and JTG Racing announced that McKee Foods Little Debbie Snack Cakes brand will be returning as a primary sponsor [of the #21 Ford] in a newly-signed two-year deal. This agreement extends and builds upon a previous two-year relationship with the Collegedale, Tennessee Company. Little Debbie will serve as the primary sponsor for 18 Sprint Cup events in the 2008 season and again in the 2009 season. Up-and-coming Busch Series superstar Marcos Ambrose will take over as the face of the company’s NASCAR efforts in twelve of the eighteen races, beginning in Sonoma, CA in June, 2008. Additional driver lineups for the remaining six Little Debbie events will be announced at a later date—as will other sponsor/driver combinations for the new year. Ambrose will serve as a pitchman for all of the company’s snack cake brands, appearing in all point of sale (POS) materials and related items.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(11-20-2007)

  • McSwain looking for crew chief gig? hearing that Michael 'Fatback' McSwain, who recently stepped down as the crew chief of the #21 Wood Brothers Ford, is looking for a crew chief job in the Cup, Busch or Truck Series for the 2008 season after a business opportunity he had in place for next year fell apart in the eleventh hour.(11-8-2007)

  • New Sponsor for Wood Bros. at Texas: The Wood Brothers team will be bringing a brand new sponsor on board this weekend in Delimex, an authentic brand of frozen Mexican Cuisine under the H.J. Heinz banner. This will mark the second of three events in which a Heinz-backed brand will adorn the legendary # 21 car on the race track.(Wood Brothers / JTG Racing PR)(10-30-2007)

  • Nead debuts for the #21 team: With the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG race team just outside the top-35 in points headed into this weekend’s event, Bill Elliott returned behind the wheel to greet a brand new primary sponsor, H.J. Heinz. During a special Thursday night edition of Nextel Cup qualifying, Elliott put the #21 Heinz Ore-Ida Ford 35th in the field for the running of the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Also new to the team this week, Gene Nead stepped in as crew chief to lead the organization’s efforts for the remainder of the year. Elliott finished 35th [and the team fell to 109 pts behind 35th in owners pts](Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(10-15-2007)

  • New sponsor on the #21 at Lowe's: The Wood Brothers/JTG team welcomes a new sponsor as their primary partner for the Bank of America 500 event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Bill Elliott will be behind the wheel of the #21 Heinz Ore-Ida Ford Fusion this weekend. Heinz will also be the primary sponsor in the upcoming Texas and Phoenix events in November. The #21 team has slipped back out of the top-35 in points. They are now 51 points behind the #22 car of Dave Blaney and 53 points behind the #45 of Kyle Petty with six events remaining in 2007.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR), see an image of the car on the #21 Team Schemes page.(10-10-2007)

  • Schrader back in the #21 at Kansas: Due to a last minute lineup change, Ken Schrader will once again be back behind the wheel of the #21 Little Debbie Ford for the third straight week this weekend at Kansas Speedway, as the Wood Brothers/JTG team loads up for the Lifelock 400. The Wood Brothers/JTG team will also be fielding a second entry for the race with Jon Wood set to make just his second Nextel Cup start at the 1.5-mile track. The primary sponsor for Wood will be McKee Foods, parent company of Little Debbie snack cakes. Schrader made the most of an excellent opportunity to move the #21 team further up into the owner point standings by virtue of his 26th place finish at Dover International Speedway last weekend. The Wood Brothers/JTG team now holds a 105-point lead over 36th place and is just one point shy of tying Kyle Petty’s #45 team for 34th place overall.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(9-25-2007)

  • Multiple drivers in #21 in 2008, Air Force returns UPDATE: Officials with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing are finalizing their Cup sponsor and driver lineup for next season. More than one driver will race the #21 Ford. Jon Wood appears set to compete in races with Air Force as sponsor.(Roanoke Times)(9-22-2007)
    UPDATE: ABC's Dr. Jerry Punch said during the broadcast of the race at Dover that Bill Elliott, Jon Wood and Marcos Ambrose would be the drivers who would share the #21 ride in 2008.(ABC's Race Coverage of the Dover Cup race)(9-23-2007)

  • Wood returning to Cup at Kansas UPDATE 2: in the #47: Jon Wood is scheduled to return to the NASCAR Nextel Cup ranks for the Sept. 30 race at Kansas Speedway. Wood has been competing for the team in the Craftsman Truck Series, but will make his return to the Cup series for this event. Wood drove for the Wood Brothers in the #21 Cup Ford at Las Vegas earlier this season. He originally planned to run the full Busch Series schedule and compete in more races in the #21, but was sidelined with health issues before returning to the truck series. "We're going to run two cars at Kansas ... - Jon will be in one with Sunbelt Snacks on it, and I'm guessing that Bill Elliott will be in the other with Little Debbie's," team co-owner Len Wood said. Gene Nead, who parted company with Robby Gordon Motorsports Monday, will be the crew chief for the car. Nead started with the Wood Brothers team on Thursday. He and team co-owner Eddie Wood have known one another for a long time and had talked in the past about doing some work together in the Busch Series. Len Wood said that the team is also testing the car of tomorrow on Tuesday, and Nead will lead that effort. "Him being able to come on now and start I think will be a benefit for next year," he said. "We have not had the best COTs - it's supposed to be equal and all that, but somehow they are not equal. Hopefully he can help us get turned around on that too. And [crew chief Michael McSwain] can focus on running the rest of the races."(SceneDaily.com)(9-21-2007)
    UPDATE: Jon Wood will be behind the wheel of the #21 at Kansas next week, where he’ll make his 2nd Nextel Cup start [he made his debut in the #21 at Las Vegas in March]. Regardless of how Ken Schrader fares Sunday at Dover, the team cannot fall out of the top 35 [since #22-Dave Blaney missed the race and is 36th in owners pts]. Turning the wrenches for Wood next weekend will be Gene Nead, who recently separated from Robby Gordon Motorsports, and is expected to replace Michael Fatback McSwain next season. At Kansas, the team will run a second car [#47 Ford] for Bill Elliott, who would make the race based on his past-champion’s provisional.(Ford Racing with corrections made)(9-22-2007)
    UPDATE 2: The Wood Brothers/JTG race team has announced that next week, the team will indeed enter two cars on the entry list for the Lifelock 400 Nextel Cup Event at Kansas. The team would like to clarify that the #47 McKee Foods Ford will be driven by Jon Wood, who is set to make his second career Nextel Cup start in 2007. The #47 Ford will have Gene Nead calling the shots from the pit box. McKee Foods is the parent company of the Little Debbie brand of snack cakes. The #21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion will be driven by Bill Elliott, with Michael “Fatback” McSwain continuing his duties as crew chief for the team. (Wood Brothers PR)(9-22-2007)

  • New crew chief for Robby? UPDATE 2: hearing crew chief Gene Nead has parted ways with the #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports team, no word on the new crew chief or what Neads plans are.(9-20-2007)
    UPDATE: hearing that Nead will head to the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team, to take over for Michael 'Fatback' McSwain, who will step down at the end of the season. Hearing former Hendrick Motorsports/Ginn Racing crew chief, Peter Sospenzo, going to crew chief for Robby Gordon.(9-21-2007)
    UPDATE 2: #7-Robby Gordon is at Dover International Speedway this weekend without a crew chief after parting ways with Gene Nead on Monday. Gordon said that he and Nead parted amicably. When asked what he was looking for in a crew chief, the Cup owner/driver answered simply, "I don't know." This weekend he plans to use either a car chief or team engineer in that role. He is currently looking for a crew chief, though. "Yes, I'm looking," he said. "Gene and myself just have differences in philosophy on how things need to be operated." He added that Peter Sospenzo, who was one of the crew chiefs eliminated by Ginn Racing when two of the companies teams ceased to exist earlier this year, is someone that is high on the list of potential replacements.(SceneDaily.com)(9-21-2007)

  • Air Force Celebrates 60th Anniversary Heading to Dover: The United States Air Force celebrated its 60th Anniversary on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 and the #21-Wood Brothers/JTG race team will be sporting the familiar dark blue paint Air Force paint scheme this weekend for the running of the Dodge Dealers 400 at Dover International Speedway. Ken Schrader will drive the #21 car in his second race back since the team moved into the top-35 in owner points. Currently, they enjoy a 39-point advantage over 36th place and they remain 43 markers from the 34th spot. Following Friday’s qualifying session, Wood Brothers/JTG drivers and team owners will attend a private reception at the Dover Air Force base [where Jayski was stationed while in the Air Force from 1982-1986]. There’s no doubt this will be an important weekend for a long-running sponsor of the Wood Brothers, as the United States Air Force is in their seventh consecutive year with the team. The team will be hoping for a great finish that will continue their upward climb in the owner point standings as the season’s final weeks tick off the clock. In support of this Air Force weekend, the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG souvenir hauler will be offering a 10% discount on all products for those with a Military ID.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(9-20-2007)

  • Schrader back in the #21 at NHIS UPDATE: Ken Schrader is listed as the driver of the #21 Little Debbie's Ford on the New Hampshire entry list, plus on SPEED's Inside Nextel Cup Schrader said he would drive the car at NHIS and also drive the #18 Dodge truck on the Craftsman Truck Series race there. Bill Elliott had been running the car, which had fallen out of the top-35 in owners points and had no guaranteed starting spot, so Elliott was brought in to have the safety net of the past champions provisional and to get the #21 in the top-35 which it has been the past two weeks, now 19 pts ahead of the #22 BDR team Dave Blaney drives for.(9-11-2007)
    UPDATE: With the Chase for the Championship set to get underway this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway, the Wood Brothers/JTG race team is proud to announce that driver Ken Schrader will return to the seat of the #21 Little Debbie Ford for the Sylvania 300. With a cushion for the second straight week in the top-35 owner points, the team is guaranteed a starting spot in the field and hopes to add to the margin. The driving duty of the #21 Ford is still a week-to-week decision based upon the latest owner points total. The team intends to take COT Chassis C-5 to the race this weekend, the same car that was used previously in the July New Hampshire event. Schrader is scheduled to pull double-duty at the New Hampshire International Speedway this weekend, as he will also carry on his regular driving duties in the #18 Fastenal Dodge in the Craftsman Truck Series event on Saturday afternoon. Ken Schrader, Driver of the #21 Little Debbie Ford: "I'm really excited to get back to driving the Little Debbie Ford. I think the time that I've spent racing in the Craftsman Truck Series and all of the personal racing, I've not only kept busy, but sharp. I look forward to working with Michael McSwain this weekend and see if we can't come up with a setup and a plan that keeps this team moving forward."(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(9-11-2007)

  • Schrader wins ARCA race: Longtime Nextel Cup driver Ken Schrader won the ARCA RE/MAX-Southern Illinois 100 for the second straight year, beating Josh Wise by 0.364 seconds on the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds' mile dirt oval. Schrader passed Wise for the lead on the 85th lap in the 100-lap race and held on for his 15th career ARCA victory. Schrader pitted only once, for fuel and tires on lap 20. Josh Richards was third, followed by A.J. Fike, eight-time series champion Frank Kimmel, Patrick Sheltra, Justin Marks and Billy Venturini.(AP/Sporting News)(9-4-2007)

  • No decision on 2008 plans yet for McSwain: Michael 'Fatback' McSwain will step down as crew chief of the #21 Wood Brothers Ford driven by Bill Elliott at the end of the 2007 season. He said Sunday at California Speedway he does not yet know what he’ll be doing in 2008. “I’ve done this so long, it’s pretty much all I know,” said McSwain, who has worked in NASCAR for 17 years, the last 11 as a crew chief. McSwain lives in Dallas, N.C. with his wife Deanna. He wants to spend more time at home with her and is tired of leaving two-year-old daughter Makayla and three-month-old son Wyatt wondering where “daddy is going.” Secondary to his family but hugely important in his life, McSwain wants the opportunity to deepen his faith in God. “I believe in the Bible and I believe in God, but my faith is not as strong as I would like it to be,” McSwain said. “I was raised a Christian. I’m a member of a church on paper, but I’m not there” to participate and grow.” McSwain, who grew up in Shelby, N.C., said he went to Wood Brothers near the end of 2004. “They’re great people,” McSwain said of the family race team that has been a NASCAR pioneer. “I consider them brothers. I want to do anything I can to help them.” While he knows he won’t be back as crew chief, McSwain said he might end up working in some capacity for Wood Bros. “Something will happen; I never planned any of it,” said McSwain, who added that he feels his God will do the leading. “He has so far; I’ve got no reason to believe He won’t now,” added McSwain.(Ford Racing)(9-4-2007)

  • McSwain to step down as #21 crew chief at end of season: It's a decision that Michael "Fatback" McSwain has been working toward for quite some time. At the end of the season, McSwain will step down as crew chief for #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing and current driver Bill Elliott. He doesn't yet know where he'll land or what he'll be doing, but in McSwain's very countenance, there is nevertheless a most definite sense of relief. No longer will McSwain dread leaving his home in Dallas, N.C., where he lives with wife Deanna, 2-year old daughter Makayla and son Wyatt, who's just three months old. No longer will Makayla wonder when her daddy's going to be home. No longer will McSwain be just an infrequent visitor at his church. Team owners Len and Eddie Wood, as well as Tad Geschickter, have been informed of McSwain's intentions. There is a possibility that McSwain could move over to one of the organization's Craftsman Truck Series teams, or maybe into some sort of research and development role. Whatever the case, McSwain stressed that his decision is in no part due to any kind of dissatisfaction with the Wood Brothers/JTG operation in and of itself. Instead, he simply wants to concentrate on his family, friends and faith.(NASCAR.com)(8-28-2007)

  • Elliott to stay in the #21 for near future, Wood to stay in CTS: Wood Brothers Racing team co-owner Eddie Wood said Saturday that for the near future, Bill Elliott will remain behind the wheel of the team’s #21 Ford Nextel Cup car and that his son, Jon Wood, will finish out the season in its Craftsman Truck Series entry. Elliott has driven for the team since it fell out of the top 35 in Nextel Cup owner points because his past champion’s provisional starting position have meant the team was assured of making races. He has gotten the team back to 35th in owner points, the final guaranteed spot in the field, but Eddie Wood said until the team his higher up in points, Elliott will be behind the wheel. “Right now, we’re just barely 35th,” Wood said. “The way this thing works – and I’m sure not a lot of people understand it – your entry blank has to be in long before the event. And the driver has to be on it. In our situation, with Bill having the past champion’s provisionals, that has to be in on time, before the deadline, or it’s not active.” In other words, Elliott’s name must be on the entry blank, which NASCAR has to receive two weeks prior to the event, to be eligible for the past champion’s provisional. “The main focus is, now that we’re in the top 35, is trying to stay there,” Wood said, “because you could have one bad week and you’re back out. It’s just a wait-and-see deal.” As far as Jon Wood goes, he’s set. “Jon’s going to finish out the trucks,” said Eddie.(Ford Racing)(8-19-2007)

  • Said in the #21 at Watkins Glen: Boris Said, whose opportunity to race his #60 No Fear Energy Ford Fusion this weekend was lost when Friday's qualifying session was rained out, will drive the #21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion instead, replacing Bill Elliott. It was Elliott's idea to put Said, a noted road racer, in the car this weekend. Len Wood - co-owner, No. 21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion - "Bill Elliott came up a little while ago, and I guess he had run into Boris across the garage, and he asked him what he was doing, and Boris said, 'Nothing,' you know, he had missed the race. I don't know from where it started, if Bill asked him to drive our car or what. I think that's the way it went because Bill came to me and said that in the best interests of the team, let's put Boris in. He said I'll give it my best effort, and Bill's an excellent road racer, the first place he ever won was at Riverside, but he suggested putting Boris in. We first cleared it with sponsors and then went to NASCAR and cleared it with them."(Ford Racing PR)(8-11-2007)

  • Ambrose will not run Cup race at Watkins Glen UPDATE But may run for Gordon: Wood Brothers/JTG Racing has decided that the team will again focus their attention on the team’s full-time #21 Cup entry [with Bill Elliott], putting on hold plans to run a second Cup [#47] entry for [Busch Series driver Marcos] Ambrose on the Watkins Glen road course. At the beginning of the season, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing announced its plans to enter Marcos Ambrose in both of the Nextel Cup road course races in 2007. Several circumstances have delayed Ambrose’s Cup debut and he will not be competing in Nextel Cup at Watkins Glen with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing this weekend, according to team co-owner, Tad Geschickter. “We want to be totally prepared when we embark on Marcos’ Cup career,” said Geschickter. “We have no doubts that he will succeed at the top level of our sport. The combination of our #21 Cup car fighting to regain a guaranteed starting position in points and the unforeseen complexities of the new ‘Car of Tomorrow’ introduction has forced us to rethink our earlier plans. Combine these factors with Marcos having a real opportunity to finish well inside the coveted top 10 in Busch Series points and we felt that stretching our resources to rush his Cup debut was the wrong thing to do at this time.”(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing/BAM Media PR), but hearing Ambrose will drive a 2nd Ford for Robby Gordon in the Cup race at Watkins Glen.(8-7-2007)
    UPDATE: But ESPN has learned that Ambrose may yet get the chance to make his Cup debut -- thanks to Robby Gordon. The owner/driver of Robby Gordon Motorsports has offered Ambrose the chance to qualify for the Centurion Boats at the Glen in a second RGM [#77] Ford. It's not certain whether Ambrose will be cleared to accept the offer, but the offer has been made. An announcement could come as soon as Tuesday evening.(ESPN.com)(8-7-2007)

  • Yeley to the #21 Ford? UPDATE denied: Kyle Busch has finally decided where he will race next season, agreeing to a deal to drive the #18 Interstate Batteries machine for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008 and beyond. Busch will replace J.J. Yeley, who will move to Wood Brothers/JTG Racing next season to steer the #21 Ford.(8-6-2007)
    UPDATE: Yeley’s agent, Kyle Chapman, said there is currently no signed deal between his client and Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, and that Yeley is in discussion with a number of teams about possible rides for next season. But sources with knowledge of the situation say Yeley will indeed be out of the #18 next season, and behind the wheel of the #21 Ford.(Motorsports Soapbox)(8-7-2007)

  • Jon Wood OK after car accident: Wood Brothers/JTG driver Jon Wood was treated and released from a local hospital this morning following a single vehicle accident on his way to work. Wood’s pickup truck has a modified suspension system with pneumatic air bags on the chassis. Eyewitnesses reported that shortly after 8:00am/et this morning they witnessed a failure of his right front air bag, causing the truck to veer off the roadway into the woods. He was treated for a cut on his head and a bruising on his arm, but was released shortly thereafter.(Wood Brothers/JTG PR)(7-31-2007)

  • NOTE: been told the #78 team will NOT be allowed to buy the points for the #13 car, and have been told that the #21 Ford will move up into the top 35 of owners pts and get the guaranteed spot. Bill Elliott will run the #21 car at Indy with Ken Schrader in the #49, no word yet if Schrader will return to the #21 at Pocono next week.(7-25-2007)

  • Elliott cancels appearance at canadian race UPDATE: Riverside International Speedway regrets to announce the cancellation of Bill Elliott's appearance at this year's heavily anticipated IWK 250 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) race, scheduled for Saturday, July 21 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Riverside Speedway received in writing the cancellation notice from Mr. Elliott late Friday. In his statement he said, "There is no way I am going to Nova Scotia to race that weekend…I am too busy." Mr. Elliott's last-minute cancellation notice comes after Riverside Speedway management secured the NASCAR Cup champion's appearance on April 27, 2007 with an extra-cost no-cancellation guarantee. We paid an expensive premium to guarantee his participation in the race," says Paul McLean, Riverside Speedway manager. "With the agreement in place, and with active cooperation from his management company, we felt comfortable promoting Mr. Elliott's appearance in print, TV and radio advertisements." The IWK 250 will proceed despite Mr. Elliott's decision to not participate. "We're working feverishly to find a suitable replacement," says McLean; however at press time we were unable to confirm please check our website for further details in the coming days. Fans of Bill Elliott and ticket holders for the IWK 250 are encouraged to contact Mr. Elliott directly at www.billelliott.com to express their concern and disappointment. Requests for comment on behalf of Bill Elliott can be made directly to Wood Brothers Management Company. See the full speedway statement at: riversidespeedway.ca.(7-10-2007)
    UPDATE: Bill Elliott wishes to respond to the allegations that he rescinded an agreement to appear in the IWK 250 Pro All Stars Series at Riverside International Speedway, scheduled for Saturday, July 21 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. "I steadfastly deny that there was ever a final contract, spoken or written, in which I agreed to both attend and compete in the event at the Riverside International Speedway. Riverside International Speedway officials contacted my representatives in April 2007 to gauge my interest in competing in this event. Race officials sent a lengthy appearance schedule in conjunction with the event. Although my family and I strongly considered attending the event, on May 15th we communicated to race officials that we were leaning against attending, due in large part to the excessive amount of travel time the commitment would involve. Speedway and event officials were notified in writing on June 5th, 2007 that I had declined their offer to participate in the event. My family and I are disappointed that speedway and event officials continue to portray us in a negative light as a result of this matter.(Motorsports Management International)
    AND the speedway has announced Regan Smith is scheduled to be the replacement driver for Ellott but has not addressed Elliott's statement.(7-12-2007)

  • Schrader Statement by Wood Brothers/JTG: The Wood Brothers/JTG race team wishes to address the numerous inquiries about Ken Schrader's continued participation with the #21 Nextel Cup entry. The plan in place now is the plan that has always been in place. Bill Elliott continues to drive the #21 car on a weekly basis with the emphasis on the guaranteed starting spot, while the team works to regain its standing in the top-35 in NASCAR Owner Points. At such time that the team is able to reach this range of points, it is our continued intention that we will be able to return Ken Schrader to his driving duties with the team.(Wood Brothers/JTG site)(7-3-2007)

  • Congrats: #21-Crew Chief Michael McSwain welcomed his second child to his family this week, Michael Wyatt McSwain, was born at 11:00 p.m. Monday night—weighing in at 9 pounds, 9 ounces and 22 inches long. Mother and child are doing well.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing)(6-6-2007)

  • Wood sits out Busch race: Jon Wood made it through just one Busch Series practice Friday in his #47 Ford before leaving the track. Mark Martin ran the car in the second practice, and Travis Kvapil drove it in the race. Wood's father, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing co-owner Eddie Wood, released the following statement yester- day on Jon's condition. "Jon Wood got out of his car on Friday following Busch Series practice by his own choice due to headaches and not feeling well," Wood said in the statement. "He is presently being evaluated by doctors for these symptoms. It is believed at this time that he has been misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and is experiencing adverse reactions to the prescribed medications." Wood is expected to return to the car this weekend at Nashville.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(6-4-2007)

  • Fatback back as a crew chief UPDATE: Bill Elliott will make his return to Nextel Cup racing with a proven winner atop his pit box.The Wood Brothers/JTG race has assigned veteran crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain to lead the crew that will prepare the #21 Ford for Elliott's debut with the Wood team in next week's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. McSwain had been working in a supervisory position at the Wood Brosthers team.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution), been told that Ernie Cope, the former crew chief, has taken over McSwains supervisory position.(5-19-2007)
    UPDATE: Michael “Fatback” McSwain is moving back to a familiar role for the Wood Brothers/JTG race team—that of Crew Chief. McSwain handled the crew chief duties on Jon Wood’s #21 Motorcraft Ford in the Nextel Open. Next week, McSwain will begin working with former champion Bill Elliott, in preparation for their first event together, the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Elliott will be driving the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(5-20-2007)

  • Elliott to the #21? UPDATE 2 confirmed/details: hearing 1988 Nextel Cup Champ, Bill Elliott, will drive the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Ford for six races, not sure if that will start after the Nextel Open, which Jon Wood is scheduled to run or for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 27th. Why Elliott? Bill Elliott, being a past champ, has 6 past champions provisional's to use. #44-Dale Jarrett is out of past champ provisional's and needs to qualify for the race as his team is out of the top-35 in owners points and a guaranteed starting spot. So is the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Ford team, driven by Ken Schrader [27 races] and rookie Jon Wood [11 races].(5-16-2007)
    UPDATE: Bill Elliott and the Wood Brothers racing team are giving long-time Ford fans something to celebrate next week in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Elliott has agreed to come out of his semi-retirement to drive the Wood's famous #21 Ford. Elliott, who had his greatest racing success driving a #9 Ford, will be back behind the blue oval logo for the first time since he drove his own #94 in 2000. The #21, which has been driven this season by Ken Schrader and Jon Wood, is outside the top 35 in owner points, but Elliott has a past-champion's provisional at his disposal if he fails to qualify on speed. "That will allow is to spend time getting the car ready for the race instead of worrying about qualifying," Elliott said. "And it means a lot to me to drive that car." Elliott has also filed an entry for the following week at Dover.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(5-17-2007)
    UPDATE 2: Bill Elliott has agreed to a race-to-race deal to drive the #21 Little Debbie/Motorcraft/Air Force/Ore-Ida Ford Fusion, starting with the Coca-Cola 600 event weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott has over 30 years of Cup racing experience, with 756 starts and 44 wins, 175 top-fives, 320 top-tens at the series’ top level. He also has 55 pole positions to his credit. Jon Wood is slated to drive the #21 Motorcraft Ford this weekend in the Nextel Open event. Elliott said, "I was pretty honored to get a call from the Wood Brothers to drive the 21 car. I’ve seen them struggle the last few weeks, being outside the top-35, and it breaks my heart to see them miss races. I hope I can get in the car, get us qualified well every week and see what we can make up in the points battle along the way. Eddie and Len and, in fact, Glen and Leonard, have always been very close and dear friends of mine and I’m very glad to be able to help them out.” Regular driver, Ken Schrader: “I see the need for it at this time. I want to see this team move forward as quickly as possible and I think the plan we have in place will allow that to happen. Down the road, we can reevaluate where we stand. I’ll look forward to being back in the seat soon.”(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(5-17-2007)

  • Wood to run the Nextel Open: Jon Wood is slated to drive the #21 Motorcraft Ford this weekend in the Nextel Open, and hopes to earn the transfer spot into the prestigious All-Star Challenge. In addition, the practice laps and competition will help prepare him for the double duty he’ll pull next weekend. Wood will make his second official Nextel Cup start in the Coca-Cola 600 main event next weekend on the biggest day for auto racing fans all year long. Wood debuted at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he started 41st and finished 29th in the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)
    ALSO For the next week and a half, the Wood Brothers/JTG race team is offering fans an opportunity to get a behind the scenes look into their race shops-and it's all for a good cause. Fans visiting the shop at 7201 Caldwell Road in Harrisburg, NC can get a guided tour of the entire facility for a $5 donation to the local Animal Adoption League. The race shop's regular observation room will still remain open daily for visitors at no charge. More info at www.woodbrothersjtg.com.(5-16-2007)

  • Fatback and Wood Bros part ways? UPDATE 2 denied: hearing that Michael 'Fatback' McSwain, Race Director for the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, has parted ways with the team.(5-3-2007)
    UPDATE: The rumor of Michael McSwain's departure from Wood Brothers/JTG Racing is untrue at this time.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing)(5-3-2007)
    UPDATE 2: Jon Wood, who is splitting seat time with Ken Schrader this season in the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Fusion, said Tuesday that there is no truth whatsoever to the rumors that the team’s race director, Michael “Fatback” McSwain is on his way out after two consecutive DNQs for the team. “That’s obviously something I love to address anytime I get the opportunity,” Wood said prior to the start of the second day of Nextel Cup testing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “Anytime you’re able to put a rumor to rest, it’s a good chance to do that. There’s nothing to the rumor that Fatback’s leaving or that Fatback’s getting fired. The only truth to anything related to that is that there was an upper-level management meeting after the #21 car missed Talladega, and it was just to decide what they needed to work on to be more competitive and to move forward. But it wasn’t a finger-pointing meeting, it wasn’t anything. Somehow, it just snowballed from that.”(SPEEDtv.com)(5-9-2007)

  • Wood Brothers miss first race since 2000: When Ken Schrader failed to qualify for Sunday's race, it knocked the Wood Brothers famed #21 Ford out of the show. It's the first time since the 2000 race here [Elliott Sadler was the driver] that the car will not be racing. “It ain't about one race, it's about the eight before this one,” said Fatback McSwain, race director for the Wood Brother. “And we ran like crap in those races to get us in this position.” The #21 is outside the top 35 points and not assured a spot in the field. “We've dodged bullets the last three weeks, but sooner or later, one of them is going to hit you,” car owner Eddie Wood said. “We threw everything we had at it, but it just wasn't enough.”(Anniston Star)(4-29-2007)

  • New website for Wood Bros: The Wood Brothers/JTG Race Team has undergone an extreme makeover regarding their official team website, located at www.woodbrothersjtg.com. After months of careful planning, the redesigned site hit the Internet over a week ago in a Beta Test Phase and now is ready for fans and visitors alike to browse the updated offerings.(PR)(3-27-2007)

  • Wood to run special USAF scheme in Coke 600: #21-Jon Wood is scheduled to run the special paint scheme representing the U.S. Air Force on the #21 Ford in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in a special celebration of America's military personnel. The #21 Ford has a blue base with a featured USAF emblem on the hood and Ford Motorcraft on the rear deck lid., also in the program are Nextel Cup drivers #01-Martin, #24-Gordon, #48-Johnson, #4-Burton and #11-Hamlin, see an image of the scheme on my #21 Team Schemes page.(3-7-2007)

  • Jon Wood to make Nextel Cup debut at Las Vegas: The UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will mark Jon Wood’s first official Nextel Cup start in the #21 Air Force Ford. Regular driver Ken Schrader will step aside, but still compete in a second Nextel Cup entry, the red #47 Ore-Ida/Kingsford/Clorox Ford. The UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 will mark the first time that the Wood Brothers/JTG Organization will have two entries in the same event. The team also has plans to duplicate the double entry later next month at the Texas Motor Speedway. The ESPN Network has committed to filming an “All Access” feature story on Jon Wood and the week leading up to his Nextel Cup debut, which is slated to air on Sunday, March 11th during their NASCAR Countdown pre-race show. Check local listings for viewing times. Wood turned the 16th fastest overall lap at the open test in January at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wood and the entire Wood Family are on tap to take a private guided tour of the Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday, March 8th with Director of Competition Michael McSwain and Co-Team Owner Jodi Geschickter are scheduled to fly in assorted Air Force aircraft.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(3-6-2007)

  • Former Ford Executive Specht hired by Wood Brothers/JTG Racing: Recently retired Ford Racing Technology employee Greg Specht couldn't stay "retired" for long. After a 30-year career with the Detroit-based auto manufacturer, many of which were spent on the racing side of the equation, Specht returns to his roots after signing on to lend his assistance to the Wood Brothers/JTG Race teams in 2007 [which run the #21 Ford for Ken Schrader and Jon Wood in the Cup Series and have two Busch abd Truck teams]. "He's been a fixture among us for a long time," said co-owner Eddie Wood. "What we've come up with makes a lot of sense for us both and I think we stand to make some pretty big gains in areas where, quite frankly, we've needed some help," he added. Greg Specht's lists of accomplishment at the Ford Motor Company are numerous. He began with the company in March, 1977 and first handled positions in facilities engineering and finance. For eight years, he was in charge of Ford's test and proving grounds in Dearborn, Michigan, Naples, Florida and Minnesota. He moved into his final position with the company in 1996, serving as the North American Operations Manager, where he oversaw all racing operations with the Ford. In that time span, Ford's teams won three Nextel Cup Titles.
    At the Wood Brothers/JTG Organization, Specht will work closely with Director of Competition Michael "Fatback" McSwain and their newly-revamped engineering staff, of which is headed by long-time Wood Brothers employee Hoyt Overbaugh. The team has recently added nine engineers, bringing the total engineering staff to 21.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing)(1-24-2007)

  • Wood Brothers/ JTG Racing sign development driver: Jonathan Cash, driver of the Strutmasters.com 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series late model car, signed a five year contract with the Wood Brothers/ JTG Racing. Cash will pilot the famous number #21 NASCAR Busch Grand National East Touring Series ride for the full 2007 race season as part of the developmental driving program overseen by Competition Director Michael “Fatback” McSwain. The NASCAR Busch East Series represents NASCAR’s top regional touring series. In this series drivers compete in cars that are similar to those used in the NASCAR Busch and Nextel Cup Series. Cars are powered by 600+ Hp V-8 engines, with a minimum weight of 3,300 pounds, and are equipped with Goodyear bias-ply tires. Strutmasters.com is the primary sponsor on the new Busch East #21 Ford Fusion as well as an associate sponsor on the teams’F-150 Craftsman Trucks. John Goss, a key crew member of the Strutmaster.com team, will also make the move to Charlotte with Jonathan Cash from their home town of Oxford, NC. Many local fans wish them well and will continue to follow their careers with great pride and anticipation of success. (eastseries.com)(1-22-2007)

  • Stewart, Schrader and Kenny Wallace buy into Macon track: One of the oldest race tracks in Illinois gets new life with new owners. Macon Speedway revealed the new ownership team Sunday as part of the Racing Expo at the State Fairgrounds. Past track owner-operator Macon's Bob Sargent and NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader make up the team. Racing on the dirt track ended ahead of schedule last season because of financial hard times. The track was built back in 1946 in Macon.(wandtv.com)(1-22-2007)

  • Wood to make Cup debut at Las Vegas: Jon Wood, third-generation driver for one of NASCAR’s most respected teams, will make his Nextel Cup debut for Team Ford Racing in March. He’ll get 10 starts in the famous #21 Ford Fusion of Wood Brothers Racing and drive the team’s #47 Ford in another. He’ll drive for team veteran Ken Schrader in 10 races and be Schrader’s teammate in the other, at Las Vegas. Wood will debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the second Sunday in March, then race at Texas Motor Speedway a month later. He’ll run the Coca-Cola 600 near Charlotte in May, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona Beach in July, the second race (in July) at Pocono International Raceway and the Saturday night race at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. The fall portion of his schedule includes dates at Richmond and Dover in September, back to Charlotte in October, then to Texas and Phoenix in November. Except for the spring race in Texas, (where he’ll carry #47), he’ll be in the team’s familiar #21. He didn’t come to Daytona Beach for Cup testing, choosing, instead, to fly in Thursday for the three-day Busch Series test in his #47 Ford Fusion. (He’ll continue to run the full Busch schedule in cars fielded by JTG/Wood Brothers Racing). (Ford Racing)(1-18-2007)

  • Wood Brothers/JTG Racing sign delvelopment driver: 17-year old Georgia native John Wes Townley has signed a developmental driver contract with the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Organization. Townley will continue his late model campaign in 2007 with backing from long-time sponsor Zaxby's, as well as BB&T Bank, Coca-Cola and Lang Signs. He intends to run the entire 2007 ASA Late Model South schedule in addition to five selected USAR Hooters Pro Cup events. Currently, Townley is enrolled in the Future Stars in Racing Training and Development Academy, where he is working on his skills outside the race car.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(1-7-2007)

    2006 News

  • Air Force Re-Ups with Wood Brothers for 2007 Season: The United States Air Force has announced that they will be returning as both a primary and associate sponsor of the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Nextel Cup team. 2007 will mark the seventh consecutive year in which they have backed the famous #21 car. Driver Ken Schrader will kick-off the 2007 Season by driving the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion in the Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on February 10th. Air Force will further their relationship with the Wood Brothers/JTG Organization by activating their primary sponsorship in seven additional events during the remainder of the season. These dates include Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, the July Daytona event, Pocono Raceway, the Bristol Night race in August, Richmond International Raceway in the final race before the Chase for the Championship and Dover International Speedway on September 23rd. Third-generation driver Jon Wood will be behind the wheel for all of the primary sponsorship races in the #21 Air Force Ford Fusion. "Having a chance to represent the United States Air Force next year is an honor for me," stated the 24-year old Stuart, Virginia native. "To me, it means getting a chance to represent the men and women who put their lives on the line around the world every day so that we can enjoy the freedoms we do," he added.
    According to United States Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Mike Rowland, who oversees their NASCAR-related programs, the Air Force's association with the Wood Brothers/JTG Race team has brought extended benefits to their recruitment efforts over the years. "We target four million graduating high school seniors each year by seeking the same target audience that follows the high-octane sport of NASCAR," he stated. "This program has been exciting and successful for us and we're looking forward to a great relationship with Jon Wood and the 21 team next year."(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(12-27-2006)

  • Ambrose to Make Announcement on 2007 Plans UPDATE: A press conference is scheduled to Wednesday evening where Marcos Ambrose will announce further plans for 2007. From the release, "Australian driver Marcos Ambrose will make one of the biggest announcements in Australian Sport this year by confirming an extended schedule in America during 2007."(Ambrose PR)(12-20-2006)
    UPDATE: Australian businessman Craig Gore has finalized a deal with Wood Brothers-JTG Racing which will see Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards branding on the back quarter panel of Ambrose’s #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford for all 35 rounds of next year’s Busch Series. Part of the agreement will also see a full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in a minimum of two, and up to 10, NASCAR Nextel Cup events. Ambrose will campaign the full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in Nextel Cup road course events at Infineon Raceway at Sonoma, California on June 24 and at Watkins Glen International Raceway in New York State on August 12.(BAM Media PR)(12-21-2006)

  • Career Start #700 for Schrader: #21-Ken Schrader is expected to make his 700th Nextel Cup start at Martinsville Speedway – 12th alltime.Richard Petty leads all drivers with 1,185 starts.[See list on my MISC Stats page](10-19-2006)

  • Wood Bros sign developmental driver: The Wood Brothers have signed Kelly Bires as a development driver, co-owner Eddie Wood said. Bires, 22, drove in Friday's ARCA race. He's from Mauston, Wis. Also, Wood said a couple more sponsorship deals are close to being set that will define how many races #21-Ken Schrader and Jon Wood will drive next season. They'll share the No. 21 car. Wood is expected to drive in 10-12 Cup races next season. (Roanoke Times)(10-7-2006)

  • Schrader/Wood to split time in 2007? UPDATE: hearing Ken Schrader, driver of the #21 Little Debbie's/Motorcraft/Air Force Ford, and Jon Wood, who is running the full Busch Series with the #47 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team this year will share the #21 Ford in 2007, witrh Wood running seven races and Schrader the other races.(8-19-2006)
    UPDATE: Wood Brothers/JTG Racing will again field one Nextel Cup team [in 2007], two Busch Series teams, and two Craftsman Truck teams. The team also expects to field a second Nextel Cup car for select Cup races. Driver and sponsor relationships for 2007 are quickly coming into focus. Ford Racing Technology will again be supporting all divisions with the Ford Fusion in the Nextel Cup and Busch Series events and the Ford Truck in the Truck Series. Little Debbie Snack Cakes will continue to be primary sponsor of the famed #21 Nextel Cup Ford for 18 races in 2007 with Ken Schrader in the driver's seat. Chris McKee states, "We are very pleased to have Ken Schrader behind the wheel of the Little Debbie Ford Fusion for the 2007 Nextel Cup series. Little Debbie fans and NASCAR fans relate well to Ken Schrader and we're looking forward to a winning season." Third generation driver Jon Wood will share driving duties with Ken Schrader in the #21 Nextel Cup ride. Ore-Ida Extra Crispy French Fries and Delimex Delicious Mexican Cuisine are proud to join Wood Brothers/JTG Racing as primary sponsors of the #21 Ford Fusion for a limited schedule as well as being a major associate sponsor for the remainder of the season. Tad Geschickter, team co-owner stated "It's time for Jon to get started in the Cup Series. He will also compete full time in the NASCAR Busch series in the #47 Clorox/Armor All/American Red Cross Ford Fusion. We look forward to getting Jon plenty of seat time by combining this limited Cup schedule with his duties in the #47 Busch car." Also Marcos Ambrose will move to the Busch Series #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford after a year in the Craftsman Truck Series, with Stacy Compton, moving from the #59 Busch ride, back to the Truck Series for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.(woodbrothersracing.com)(10-4-2006)

  • Schrader's Team Grabs Pit Crew Win in Richmond: #21-Ken Schrader's pit crew claimed the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Saturday night's Chevy Rock & Roll 400, becoming the 13th Nextel Cup team of the season to capture the weekly competition. The pit crew win, which helped lift Schrader to a season-best seventh-place finish, was the result of the #21 U.S. Air Force/Little Debbie/Motorcraft Ford Fusion spending the least amount of time on Richmond International Raceway's pit road - 418.964 seconds. "They've been solid all year," said Schrader of the #21 pit crew. "Enthusiasm is a very infectious disease. The better the car has been running the better they've been in getting us in and out of the pits. I'm glad this happened because they certainly deserve to be recognized." Schrader's over-the-wall crew consists of: Chuck White (jackman), Brandon Pegram (front-tire carrier), Mike "Andretti" Smith (front-tire changer), Dwayne Doucette (rear-tire carrier), Chris McMullen (rear-tire changer), Jimmy Watts (gasman), James Rhoades (catch can) and Mike Hartman (eighth man). The pit crew coach is Gary Smith and crew chief is Michael "Fatback" McSwain. The competition awards $10,500 per week to the top pit crew. In addition, the pit crew with the most wins will be awarded a $105,000 bonus at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(9-14-2006)

  • Jon Wood's Cup Plans on Hold: Very few things have gone according to plan for Jon Wood this year. The Stuart VA native went into this season expecting to be competitive in the Busch Series, run seven Nextel Cup races and prepare to go full time into a Cup car for next year. The intended car was the #21 Wood Brothers Ford owned by his family and currently being driven by Ken Schrader. That's still the eventual plan, but the situation has changed. Wood hasn't seen the results he was hoping for in the Busch Series. It's unlikely now that Wood will make his Nextel Cup debut this season. Both he and his father, Eddie, say it's more likely that Wood will run a partial schedule. Jon Wood says he knows what he'd like to see happen. "For example, say Schrader and I split the 21 car," he said. "He did the races, say, I wasn't comfortable with, or did the races one particular sponsor wanted, then I did the others. That's kind of a way of not having to be thrown to the wolves and learn so fast. That would be my ideal scenario." Eddie Wood said nothing is set in stone but that he still has every intention of getting Jon into a Cup car for next year. Jon said he will drive a full Busch schedule next year.(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(9-8-2008)

  • Fatback stays home UPDATE: Ernie Cope will serve as #21-Ken Schrader's crew chief this weekend, as his regular crew chief, Michael McSwain, remained at the Wood Brothers shop to complete other work.(Roanoke Times)(9-2-2006)
    UPDATE: Ken Schrader’s regular crew chief Michael Fatback McSwain is not with the team this weekend for the Sony HD 500 at California Speedway as he tends to business at the team’s shop in North Carolina, according to team co-owner Eddie Wood. “This weekend, Fatback stayed back to get ready for Richmond and Loudon and help our short track stuff,” Wood said. “Ernie Cope is the crew chief this weekend, so we’re just going on with business as usual.” Wood was asked if this might be an indicator of what teams might do if they were eliminated from The Chase to get a head start on the next season’s preparation. “Yes, in a roundabout way,” Wood said. “It wasn’t something we really planned in advance, but it just kind of worked out that way. Ernie has been helping Fatback since he came back and since Fatback had some stuff to do, it’s a no-brainer to have Ernie fill in. Ernie is an experienced crew chief in his own right, so it’s business as usual.” Schrader qualified 29th Friday in the U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion but blew an engine in Saturday’s early afternoon practice and did not participate in Happy Hour. He will have to start Sunday’s race at the back of the grid because of the engine change.(Ford Racing)(9-3-2006)

  • Little Debbie commercials to feature Schrader: Wood Brothers Racing's #21-Ken Schrader is being featured in a new advertising campaign for team sponsor Little Debbie. The commercials will be broadcast nationally, beginning with NBC's coverage of the Aug. 6 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In the 30-second spot, Schrader appears in a convenience store with a mouthful of the company's donuts. It's the first time the driver has been featured in an ad for the company that signed with the Wood Brothers in October 2005. The company is in negotiations with Wood Brothers concerning sponsorship in 2007.(SceneDaily.com)(7-26-2006)

  • Crew Chief Changes at the #21: With sponsorship and driver lineup announcements for 2007 expected by Labor Day, Wood Brothers/JTG racing will make several personnel moves effective this weekend. Michael "Fatback" McSwain will assume the duties of crew chief for Ken Schrader's #21 Nextel Cup car. David Hyder will take over Crew Chief duties for Jon Wood's #47 Busch Series car, as the third generation driver prepares for his anticipated entry into Nextel Cup next season. Ernie Cope will move from his duties as Crew Chief for Stacy Compton's Busch Series car to assist Michael "Fatback" McSwain. Jay Guy, Jon Wood's Busch Series Crew Chief will move to teammate Stacy Compton's #59 Busch Series car. Team co-owner Eddie Wood explained the transition. "Our goal is to improve our performance this year, while giving our drivers and crew chiefs an opportunity to work together in preparation for next year. We have made a lot of changes this season, including the merger with ST Motorsports' Busch Series teams and the expansion of a driver development program in the Truck Series. We have been playing catch up and wanted to get a jump on next year to see how everyone progresses with these management moves."(Wood Brothers Racing)(7-19-2006)

  • Different Sponsor for the #21 at Loudon: Ken Schrader, driver of the #21 Wood Brothers Ford Fusion will have Sunbelt Cereals as his sponsor at New Hampshire Interntional Speedway. Mckee Foods Corporation manufactures Sunbelt Cereals and also Little Debbie snack cakes, which is one of the primary sponsors on the team.(Wood Brothers Racing)
    AND Little Debbie has begun discussing sponsorship of the famed #21 car with WoodBrothers/JTG Racing for the 2007 NEXTEL Cup series. In February 2006 at the Daytona 500, the Little Debbie brand made history as the stylish, new Little Debbie Ford Fusion #21 car rolled onto the track. Since that first exhilarating race, the response to their NEXTEL Cup sponsorship from both customers and employees has been exceptionally positive. Now, on the eve of the debut of the bright yellow #21 Sunbelt Ford Fusion, McKee Foods has indicated their interest in continuing to sponsor the #21 car for the 2007 season. Discussion is underway with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing and a decision is expected by Labor Day.(McKee Foods PR), see an image of the bright yellow car on my #21 Team Schemes page.(7-12-2006)

  • Wood Brothers Racing: One, Two or No Teams? UPDATE 2 will be back: Eddie Wood isn’t being flippant when he says, “We might have one car, two cars or no cars next year. Heck, we might all be gone from here. Who knows? Right now, I don’t.” The co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing expects to have at least one Ford next year, either for his son, Jon, or current driver #21-Ken Schrader. “Jon’s not under contract, so I’ll let him go if he gets a good offer somewhere else,” Wood said minutes before the Pepsi 400. “The deal with us is, our sponsorships are year-to-year. Little Debbie is pleased and the Air Force is pleased, and we think MotorCraft is pleased. We’d really like to have all three of them back. We can’t make a lot of plans until we get all those deals in place. Ideally, we’d like a Fusion for Jon and another for Ken. We’d like to get the Clorox people to come aboard on a car for Jon. But, honestly—right now—I can’t begin to say what we’re gonna do next year. But, yeah, I think we’ll have something out here.”(Ford Racing)(7-3-2006)
    UPDATE: Eddie Wood's family has been in the racing business on the NASCAR circuit since 1953. Team owner Eddie Wood said he's not sure it will last beyond this season. Wood said he doesn't have sponsorship lined up yet for next season and without it, the family operation might have to close. The team hopes to have two full-time Nextel Cup Series cars next year - one for Ken Schrader and a second for Wood's son, Jon. "We can't make a lot of plans until we get all those (sponsorship) deals in place," Wood said. "Ideally, we'd like a Fusion for Jon and another for Ken. Honestly, right now I can't begin to say what we're going to do next year, but I think we'll have something out there."(Augusta Chronicle)(7-6-2006)
    UPDATE 2: Things are alive and well at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing contrary to previous reports. Eddie Wood told MRN Radio's NASCAR Today weekday news program that the reports of the Wood Brothers possibly closing their doors at season's end are totally inaccurate. "Some stuff I said was taken out of context, it got in the media and there's absolutely no truth to it. When we (Wood Brothers Racing and ST Motorsports) set out on this project our goal was to have 2 - 2 - 2 (2 Craftsman Truck, 2 Busch Series, and 2 Nextel Cup teams). We have 2 Truck and 2 Busch teams and the 1 Cup team. We are working to expand the Cup program to 2 teams and we are really close to getting that done. We're alive and well and looking forward to 2007."(7-10-2006)

  • Special Air Force scheme on the #21 at Daytona: The United States Air Force is outfitting its #21 race car with a different look when it rolls onto the track at the Pepsi 400 this weekend. The car's paint scheme synchronizes with the Air Force's Special Operations Command shield imprinted on the hood of the car. "We honor all of our Airmen when we run the Air Force paint scheme, but since this race falls so close to the 4th of July holiday; we decided to honor our special operations units. They are a group of folks who fly under the radar and rarely get the spotlight," said Capt. Jonathan Ness, Chief of Event Marketing Branch, Air Force Recruiting Service Strategic Communication Division. "AFSOC has more than 12,000 extremely well-trained and deployable Airmen who are matched and equipped with some highly specialized aircraft. And to top it off, they are always prepared for worldwide deployment," Captain. Ness said. In addition to honoring the special operations forces with a new paint scheme, Maj. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, AFSOC Vice Commander, plans to conduct a formal induction ceremony for 40 young men and women enlisting into the Air Force on race day. Air Force Special Operations Command which was established May 22, 1990 is a major command and the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command, a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, FL.(Wood Brothers Racing site), see an image on my #21 Team Schemes page.(6-29-2006)

  • #21 belts and steering wheel confiscated: Ken Schrader's #21 Wood Brothers Ford had their entire set of seat belts confiscated by NASCAR at Infineon Raceway. Belts are not allowed in use two years after date of manufacture and these were clearly marked May 2004 and on Saturday the #21 team had the steering wheel confiscated by NASCAR. NASCAR mandates that the Steering Wheel spoke must be solid and Schrader's had a total of nine cutouts.(Insider Racing News)(6-25-2006)



  • #21 to Honor Fallen Servicemen at Sonoma: Ten years ago this coming Sunday marks a solemn date in U.S. Military Service history. On June 25, 1996, the Khobar Towers Housing Complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia was bombed by extremists, ending the lives of 19 servicemen. To mark the occasion, the #21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion, driven by Ken Schrader, will carry a special decal honoring the men on the lower rear quarter panels and B-Post location during the race weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. The idea to run the memorial decals was presented to the Wood Brothers/JTG Race Team by George Beekman, who lost his stepson, Joshua E. Woody, in the tragedy. The Wood Brothers appealed to the U.S. Air Force as an associate sponsor on the car to donate the necessary space on the race car. Air Force Captain Jonathan Ness assisted in the process. "We were genuinely moved by the appeal from Mr. [George] Beekman, and are happy to represent those servicemen killed in the line of duty that day on this solemn anniversary of the tragedy," he stated. The Air Force will have b-post sized decals to hand out to all of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams, as well. George Beekman designed the memorial decal that will adorn the race car. In addition, the decal will be featured in two separate memorial services this weekend. The first, at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is scheduled for Friday, June 23rd. Twelve of the nineteen servicemen killed in the blast were from Eglin AFB. The second memorial, to be held Sunday at noon, will be a service at Arlington National Cemetery in which the logo will adorn the centerpiece of the wreath laid in remembrance of the fallen heroes.(Woodbrothersracing.com)(6-21-2006)

  • Schrader looking for 2007 ride? #21-Kenny Schrader says he has nothing lined up for next year. "If you hear of anything, call me," said Schrader, rushing off to grab a bite to eat before his qualifying session at Michigan. Schrader said two years ago that when his Nextel Cup career came to a close, he would concentrate on the Craftsman Truck series and run his "Late Model" cars at the short tracks around the country.(Insider Racing News)(6-17-2006)

  • #21 Crew Chief penalized: NASCAR announced that David Hyder, crew chief for the #21 Nextel Cup Series team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2006 for a rule violation at Phoenix International Raceway. Hyder violated Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20-10.8.4I (unapproved tire warming by using a portable heater) of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book. The rule violation was discovered during the running of the Subway Fresh 500 on April 22.(NASCAR)(5-1-2006)

  • Lots of racing for Schrader this weekend: #21-Ken Schrader raced in Thursday's NASCAR Grand National West Series Casino Arizona 150 [finished 10th, won by Andrew Myers], will race in Friday’s Bashas Supermarkets 200 Busch Series race and Saturday's Subway Fresh 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race, all at Phoenix International Raceway. On Sunday afternoon, Schrader will run the ARCA event at Salem (Ind.) Speedway before heading to Sunday night’s dirt late-model event at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Ill.(Speed Channel)(4-21-2006)

  • Get Well: #21 Team Owner Glen Wood had his scheduled hip replacement surgery this morning. Everything went good. Only in surgery less than an hour. The plan is to try to get him up today or tomorrow at the latest and be home probably Friday. Send cards to: Glen Wood, 21 Performance Drive, Stuart,VA 24171.(4-12-2006)

  • Wood expects to be in #21 car in 2007 UPDATE - no, but a 2nd car: Busch Series regular Jon Wood [#47], third-generation member of NASCAR's Wood Brothers Racing, said Wednesday he is "90 percent sure" he will drive the #21 Ford full time in the Nextel Cup Series in 2007.(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(3-23-2006)
    UPDATE: Jon Wood said Saturday that he expects to be behind the wheel of a Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Nextel Cup car full-time in 2007, but not the #21 currently driven by Ken Schrader. Published reports last week had the driver in the #21 next year. “The plan all along was to have two Nextel Cup Series teams in 2007 if we can find appropriate sponsorship for a two-car operation,” Wood said. “Right now, I plan to compete in as many as seven Cup races this year in preparation for running full time in Cup in 2007 as the second driver on a two-car Cup team.”[#47 Ford](Speed Channel)
    AND - Schrader back in 2007? Jon Wood fully expects to move to a full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup ride next season with his family's Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team. But it won't be in the team's #21 Ford Fusion, as was reported last week by a Texas newspaper. If all goes according to Hoyle, a second full-time sponsor will be lined up, Schrader will stay in the #21 and Wood will campaign a second team car, the number [#47?] of which is to be determined.(Ford Racing)(3-26-2006)

  • Air Force to Fly NASCAR Stars at Las Vegas: Kenny Schrader and Jon Wood will receive U.S. Air Force fighter orientation flights at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada on Thursday March 9. Schrader, current driver of the NEXTEL Cup #21 Wood Brothers Racing Team, will fly with the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Thunderbirds. Wood, this year's Busch series #47 driver for JTG Racing, will fly with the 57th Wing.(Air Force PR)(3-9-2006)

  • Schrader 2nd in Texas: Robert Litton, of Alexandria, Louisiana, captured the SUPR A Feature Late Model title and George White, of Fort Worth, won the Modified Championship on Saturday before the largest crowd in the three-year history of the Pro-Cuts Texas World Dirt Track Championship at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Litton staved off a fierce rally by Cup driver #21-Kenny Schrader, who opted to play in the Texas dirt during the Cup off weekend. Schrader, who needed a second-place finish in the Last Chance Qualifier just to advance into the feature, started 20th in the 22-car finale, but stormed to second in just two laps of the 40-lap event. Litton, however, never relinquished the lead at any point and held Schrader at bay for the final 38 laps.(TMS PR and Fort Worth Star Telegram)(3-5-2006)

  • Schrader runs dirt at Texas this weekend: Following back-to-back rain-outs to open the 2006 schedule, the O'Reilly SUPR Late Model season will seek to finally kick off its new season at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on Friday and Saturday with the Pro-Cuts World Dirt Track Championships. The two-night event will feature late model and modified racing on the 4/10-mile mile clay oval with more than 200 combined entries expected. NEXTEL Cup Series veteran Kenny Schrader takes advantage of the off-week on the Cup schedule to compete in the championship event. Schrader, the 23-year Cup veteran who pilots the #21 Little Debbie/Motorcraft/U.S. Air Force Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, will be in the #99 Pro-Cuts late model entry this weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. The Pro-Cuts World Dirt Track Championship will be the third short track stop of the year for Schrader. He did not qualify for the show at Talladega on Jan. 7-8. At Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande, Ariz., he had finishes of seventh (Jan. 14), 11th (Jan. 15), and second (Jan. 18). Schrader has been a longtime competitor in dirt track races and has at least nine more events scheduled through the summer. (TMS PR)(3-1-2006)

  • Wood Brothers to be inducted into VA HOF: Wood brothers: Glen and Leonard Wood [current owners of the #21 Nextel Cup team] are among eight Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2006 inductees at the 35th annual awards banquet in Portsmouth, VA on April 22. The Wood's have given more than 50 years to the growth of auto racing. They have been at it longer than any other continuous NASCAR Nextel Cup team. Among some top drivers the pair featured were: A.J. Foyt, Cale Yarborough, Neil Bonnett, Kyle Petty and Ricky Rudd. The Wood Brothers team has featured 17 of NASCAR's top 50 drivers. The duo has 97 series wins, and many credit the brothers as inventors of the modern pit stop. The Hall, established in 1972, is for athletes, coaches, administrators and other contributors to Virginia sports. Candidates must meet certain criteria for induction. Among them, they must have lived in Virginia for at least four years or achieved national or international recognition while attending a Virginia college or university. For information on tickets call (757) 393-8031 or go to the Web site at www.vshfm.com.(from the Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-2-2006)

  • Inside Nextel Cup Show returns on Feb 13th: Dave Despain will once again climb into the host's chair for SPEED's popular Monday night program Inside Nextel Cup, beginning Feb. 13 at 7:00pm/et. Joining Despain, will be veteran drivers Michael Waltrip and Kenny Schrader, both in new rides for 2006. Brian Vickers, the Hendrick Motorsports driver who joined the show late last season, will return for 20 shows in 2006. "I think 2006 should be exciting for everyone - especially the fans of Inside Nextel Cup," said Vickers, the youngest national series champion in NASCAR history. "Kenny (Schrader) and Michael (Waltrip) are driving for new teams, the GMAC Racing team and I are ready and we're all optimistic about a new season. I've gained some valuable experience working with them and Dave (Despain) on the set, so hopefully I'll pass the SPEED rookie stripe to someone else and we'll bring viewers even more insight and entertainment. I appreciate the opportunity they've presented by welcoming me back to the program."
    "It took a lot of courage for Brian to step onto a show that had changed for the first time in 10 years last year," said Chris Long, VP of Studio Production for SPEED. "We made some aggressive changes to a fan favorite SPEED show midway through the year and Brian did a great job blending in with the team. We're thrilled to have him back for 20 shows in 2006."(Speed Channel)(1-31-2006)

  • Wood to run 7 Cup races, McSwain to crew chief UPDATE: Michael “Fatback” McSwain, who stepped down as crew chief from the Wood Brothers #21 Ford to oversee the team’s move from Mooresville, NC, to Harrisburg, NC, and the competition end of the team’s merger and expansion, will be back atop the pit box later this season. McSwain will be the crew chief for Jon Wood’s #47 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford, which will be entered in seven Cup races. And there could be more such work in the future. “Have I done my last (full-time) crew chiefing? Have I been on the pit box for the last time? I don’t know,” McSwain said. “Me personally, the only thing that I’d like to do that I haven’t done … I’d like to win a championship. If I could take a young guy who’s learning to be a Cup crew chief and help him or teach him, that’d be equally as gratifying as me doing it myself.”(Speed Channel)(1-26-2006)
    UPDATE: Jon Wood will run a limited Cup schedule starting midsummer. Wood, a third-generation racer, will drive the #47 Ford, which is likely to be sponsored by the Air Force. It will be the first time in 14 years Wood Brothers Racing has fielded a second car. Fatback McSwain will be the crew chief.(Sporting News)(1-30-2006)

  • Schrader wins again at Phoenix: Nextel Cup driver Ken Schrader raced to his record 16th title at Phoenix International Raceway and fourth West Series victory on the track Sunday, winning the feature race in the Copper World Classic. Schrader, second in a 100-mile NASCAR Southwest Tour event earlier, had better luck in the 125-mile West Series race that capped the combined USAC-NASCAR lineup in the 29th Copper Classic. The 50-year-old Schrader took the lead three times while leading a total of 50 laps. The third time, he passed Spencer Clark after 108 laps and held off the Eric Holmes to take the United Rentals 125 by 0.0128 seconds. Schrader broke a tie with Richard Petty for West wins at Phoenix. "We've run so many races here we ought to have won one," Schrader said. "You know, we haven't won any Cup races here. Finished second once." Matt Kobyluck finished third, Clark fourth and rookie Peyton Sellers fifth.(ESPN.com/AP)(1-23-2006)

  • The New Wood Brothers Racing Shop to open: A new racing company expected to open Jan. 25 in Harrisburg, NC could help the town become a destination for auto racing enthusiasts. Wood Brothers Racing/JTG Racing Inc. will bring a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team [#21-Ken Schrader], two NASCAR Busch Series teams [#47-Jon Wood and #59-Stacy Compton] and two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams. A second Nextel Cup team will arrive in 2007. The teams' drivers are Ken Schrader, Stacy Compton, Jon Wood, Bobby East [CTS #21] and Marcos Ambrose [CTS #20]. The company will have a staff of 120, he said. Plans include hiring 20 more employees by the end of this year. It will cost about $750,000 to upgrade the 129,000-square-foot former warehouse on N.C. 49 at Caldwell Road. It will be able to house up to 70 racing cars and trucks. Wood Brothers Racing/JTC Racing Inc. has said it planned to invest $6.5 million and will bring new jobs in exchange for $76,914 in tax incentives from Cabarrus County and $20,787 from Harrisburg.(Charlotte Observer)(1-9-2006)

    2005 News

  • New Crew Chief for the #21? UPDATE: hearing that David Hyder will be the new crew chief for the #21 Wood Brothers team and driver Ken Schrader. Hyder comes over from the #49 BAM Racing team which Scrader drove for in 2005. Ron Otto was recently named the crew chief for the #49 car. Former #21 crew chief, Michael 'Fatback' McSwain will take on a Team Manager/General Manager type role.(12-10-2005)
    UPDATE: Former crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain has been promoted to the position of Race Director for all of the teams under the Wood Brothers Racing/ST Motorsports/Wood Brothers/JTG Racing umbrella. And, David Hyder has been hired as crew chief for the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Fusion and driver Kenny Schrader. The announcement was made by WBR co-owner Eddie Wood. "This was just the logical progression of events," said Wood. "Hyder was Kenny Schrader's crew chief in 2004, and they had a good thing going there. We wanted to keep the relationship between Kenny and David in tact. And at the same time, we are giving Fatback the title that goes with the work he has been doing in getting the Truck, Busch and Cup teams under one roof and ready for competition next year. He has coordinated the move to our new location while maintaining a leadership role in the fabrication and engineering of all of our racecars and trucks. These changes will just strengthen our Little Debbie/Motorcraft/US Air Force team in 2006."
    David Hyder comes to the Wood Brothers operation after working with Schrader as crew chief at Bam Racing for over a year. Before that he was with the Petty Enterprises where he served as car chief for both the #43 and #45 Nextel Cup cars. The High Point, North Carolina native has a history in racing that spans close to 25 years. For 17 years he raced late model stock cars including stints in Hooters Pro Cup and the All Pro Series. "I am so pleased to be able to continue the working relationship Kenny and I started at BAM," stated Hyder. And, I'm looking forward to working Eddie, Len, Fatback and everybody at Wood Brothers Racing. This is really a win, win situation for me." McSwain added, "I'm glad that Eddie and Len decided to hire David. I already know he and Kenny work well together, and this will give me the freedom to work with the five teams we now have in place. It would have been very difficult to work with all the teams and remain as crew chief for the 21, so this is a great solution."
    McSwain has been with Wood Brothers Racing as crew chief for the #21 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team since August of 2004. The racing veteran has been on the Cup circuit since 1992. His first position was as a fabricator for Lake Speed. Since that time he has served as crew chief for various teams including those owned by Jasper Motorsports, Ricky Rudd, Robert Yates and Joe Gibbs. McSwain was born in Lattimore, North Carolina and is a 1986 graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College.
    Driver Kenny Schrader also gave his stamp of approval to the news. "This is wonderful. David and I had something really good coming together at the end of the season, and now we will be able to work together here. I couldn't be happier with the way things are starting out for the new year." The multi team operation has recently been moved into a new shop in Harrisburg, NC.(Wood Brothers Racing site)(12-11-2005)

  • Rudd Honored...by Fatback and Drivers: When NASCAR failed to recognize the career accomplishments of Ricky Rudd during what might have been his final drivers meeting, his crew chief, Michael McSwain, came to the rescue. During a season dominated by recognition for the retiring Rusty Wallace, there has been little for the veteran Rudd. But at the conclusion of Sunday's drivers meeting, McSwain unexpectedly stood up and offered a tearful farewell to NASCAR's "Ironman." "My buddy is leaving me, and I don't think there will ever be another one like him," said McSwain, so overcome with emotion that he struggled to finish each sentence. "He's done a lot for this sport, and I know nobody will ever touch his record for consecutive starts." Rudd, who made his Nextel Cup-record 788th straight start on Sunday and has announced he won't return to drive the #21 Ford next season, seemed taken aback by McSwain's impromptu salute. He stood up and acknowledged his longtime crew chief, before addressing the drivers. "[I] thank everybody for allowing me to compete with you all," said Rudd, who wound up 37th in the season finale, five laps behind the leaders. "I'll come out and check on you on the weekends when I can sit up in the stands, drink beer and watch everybody." An hour later, as he strolled with his wife, Linda, to driver introductions, Rudd said he was caught off guard in the drivers meeting. "I didn't expect it," the 49-year-old Rudd said. "I was getting through this weekend, then I got a little choked up. I was awful proud. NASCAR sort of ignored me and [McSwain] got up and said a few words for me. I can't put into words what it meant." NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter defended the sanctioning body's decision not to honor Rudd before the Ford 400. "Ricky hasn't retired," Hunter said. "Rusty said he's retiring. Ricky said, 'I'm going to step back. I may drive if the right thing comes along.' As far as we know, Ricky hasn't retired. If he had said he was retiring, I'm sure we would have recognized him."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution), no word if Newman stood up for Rudd.(11-21-2005)

  • Lots Happening with the Wood Brothers UPDATE 3 Little Debbie, Schader to the #21: Wood Brothers Racing is in an expansion mode. The move to a new 129,000-square-foot shop began this week and will be completed by December 1, owner Eddie Wood says. Crew chief Fatback McSwain has been instrumental in hiring the additional crew members needed to operate two truck teams, two Busch teams and the #21 Cup ride. Drivers Bob East and Marcus Ambrose will be part of Ford Racing's developmental program in the Craftsman Truck Series. Jon Wood and Stacy Compton will drive the Busch cars. An announcement will come this weekend that Ken Schrader will drive the Cup car.(Sporting News)(11-14-2005)
    UPDATE: the announcement will come Friday morning at Homestead-Miami Speedway...supposedly the sponsors will be some of the sponsors currently on the #21 Ford and a sponsor brand new to the sport....no idea who...yet.(11-15-2005)
    UPDATE 2: hearing Little Debbie will sponsor the #21 and Kenny Schrader in 2006, not sure in what capacity, but supposedly as a primary in a number of races.(11-18-2005)
    UPDATE 3: Ken Schrader has joined the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Team. He’ll drive the famed #21 Ford Fusion during the 2006 Nextel Cup season. The car will be sponsored by the newest face in NASCAR ? Little Debbie, America’s #1 snack cake. “I look forward to establishing a winning tradition with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing and Little Debbie Snacks,” says Schrader. “Some of the most victorious drivers in NASCAR history have driven the Number 21 car. I intend to continue that winning tradition in 2006. Three years ago, I thought that 2005 could be my last season. However, when the opportunity to drive for the Wood Brothers and Little Debbie presented itself, it made my decision to continue driving in the Nextel Cup Series very easy,” says Schrader. “There is always excitement when a new company realizes the marketing potential of NASCAR for increasing its business and then decides to enter the sport. This is going to be fun!” Little Debbie will be the primary sponsor of the #21 car for 19 races in 2006. Motorcraft Quality Parts and the U.S. Air Force will rotate their sponsorship of the Ford Fusion for the remaining races during the 2006 season. Collegedale, Tennessee-based McKee Foods, a privately held, family-run company, has manufactured more than 150 billion Little Debbie snacks since 1960 — that’s enough to circle the 1.5-mile oval track at Homestead-Miami Speedway more than 1.3 million times. Little Debbie snacks have even orbited the Earth on the space shuttle, traveling more than 17,500 miles an hour. The #21 Little Debbie-sponsored car was unveiled following a news conference today at the Homestead Miami Speedway. A $21,000 check was presented to the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund to offer immediate assistance to victims of Hurricane Wilma in southern Florida.(McKee Foods/Little Debbie), see images of the car on my 2006 #21 Team Schemes page.(11-18-2005)

  • Ameriquest as a sponsor? hearing Ameriquest will sponsor either Roush Racing in some capacity or the #21 Wood Brosthers team as a co-primary.(11-16-2005)
    UPDATE: been told Ameriquest will be the sponsor of the #16 Roush Racing Ford in the Busch series with a few of the Cup drivers piloting the car.(11-16-2005)

    Ricky Rudd Statement about 'Taking a Break:

  • Ricky Rudd 'taking a break': from the Rickyrudd.com site:
    “With the announcement yesterday that Kurt Busch will be driving the #2 Penske Dodge next year, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my plans for the future.

    “First, let me say that discussions between me and the Penske organization about driving the #2 car next year came up very recently and after I already had decided to take a break from racing for a time. As I have told many of you before, I have not taken a vacation or sick day in nearly 30 years of racing, and with my contract with the Wood Brothers expiring at the end of this race season, it seemed like the perfect time to step back and take a break, but I did not want my plans to become a distraction to the Team. We have been running very well. The Wood Brothers and the Team deserved an opportunity to maximize the results for the remainder of the season. Eddie Wood and I talked some time ago, and he was comfortable with this approach.

    “As I said, the opportunity to possibly drive the #2 car in 2006 came up only recently. I had previously turned down several other opportunities to drive for teams and owners I respect, but the Penske opportunity was unique, and maybe the only offer that would have made me consider changing my plans to step back for a time. The thing that made the offer unique was not often does the opportunity come along to step into a Championship contending car with just a one year driving obligation. In my view, however, the way this has worked out is to everyone’s benefit. I get to take the break I was planning to take and the #2 team gets to do what is best for them and their sponsors long term. I am happy that I was able to provide them with a good alternative in case Kurt was not able to drive the #2 car next year, but quite frankly - for me and my family - the way it has turned out is a much better result.

    “I really enjoy racing for the Wood Brothers -- they are great people. Since Michael McSwain has come on board as crew chief our cars have been extremely competitive -- we have not always had very good racing luck, but the cars are very capable of winning races and with a little bit of racing luck, I really think we could have been solidly in the top 10 this year. I still have the desire and ability to win races, but a little burn out is beginning to set in. I may drive a few races next year if someone needs a substitute driver, but its time to “freshen up” and do some things with my family that I have put off for a lot of years. I still have the ability to drive a race car and be competitive—I think we can win a race before this year ends.

    “However, if I were to decide never to drive again, I have had a great career. My hat is off to NASCAR for making the sport what it is today, but I particularly would like to thank all the great sponsors and car owners who put their trust in me and made my career possible, people like Junie Dunlevy, Richard Childress, Bud Moore, Kenny Bernstein, Rick Hendrick, Robert Yates and the Woods. I have been privileged to drive for some of the best. I also want to thank all of the talented and dedicated people I have worked with in racing over the years, the crew chiefs and the crew members, who put in so much time and effort to give me competitive cars.

    “And to you the fans – I especially want to thank you all. I cannot begin to tell you how much their support has meant over the years. Without you, none of this would be possible. Your backing for this sport and for me have made it all very worthwhile and have kept me going for many years. I feel your energy and support every time I am around you. You have showed how much you care about my family and me by expressing your thoughts and feelings on our web site fan forum. We have always followed the forum since it’s creation. Thank you for your time and thoughts on our behalf. We will always be grateful to you no matter what the future holds.

    “And, I want to thank Winston, which for so many years made the sport possible, and Nextel, which will carry racing into the future.

    “But most of all, I want to thank my family, whose support and patience carried me when things were not quite as comfortable as they are today.

    “Many of you know how I started in racing -- a family team supported without sponsorship. The early years were real tough. We raced when we could scrape up enough money to race, which was not very often in the beginning. We traveled all around the country in a pick-up truck pulling an open trailer with one racecar. We slept five or six to a hotel room, tore down engines in the hotel room, ate more fast food than I care to remember, but somehow made it work. I will always be grateful to my family, who had enough faith in me to spend all those years trying to put together a race team.

    “I am especially grateful to my father, who passed away a few months ago, for his unconditional support and encouragement not only early on, but, throughout my career. His passing has been a very sad event in our lives, and I think it has contributed to my desire to take a little time off.

    “Finally, I want to thank Linda, my wife, and Landon, my son. What can I say about them? Linda has been my best friend since we were kids. She has watched me flip cars, hit walls, say things that perhaps I should have kept to myself, and through it all, she has been there for me. For most of my career she has been able to travel with me, and her support, good advice and love have been the glue that has held this whole thing together. Landon has been a real joy in our lives. He had to put up with Dad not being home often enough, and he has been a real trooper. I am looking forward to a little private time with both of them.

    “I hope this clarifies things. I am not going far. I will be around.”

    From the Rickrudd.com site.(11-8-2005)

  • Rudd to Penske or Retire? no to Ganassi MORE: Ricky Rudd said yesterday he has agreed to take the [#2] ride with Roger Penske, replacing Rusty Wallace next season, if Penske can't wrangle Kurt Busch from Jack Roush. "Roger and I have talked, but I really don't know how it will all work out," Rudd said. "We're all waiting to see. I'd really planned to leave the sport at the end of the season," Rudd said, revealing his plans after months of speculation. "And I told Eddie Wood (his car owner) that over the summer. But we were running so well that we didn't want to say anything. But then the phone started ringing. However there is only one man I'd answer the phone for." Penske, "If Roger needs me, I'll take the ride," Rudd said. Penske has signed Busch to drive in 2007 and wants Busch for 2006. But Roush won't release Busch unless car owner Chip Ganassi releases Jamie McMurray to take Busch's ride with Roush. And Ganassi won't release McMurray unless he can land another top driver: the top two names mentioned are Labonte and Rudd. But Rudd said yesterday he wasn't interested in taking the ride with Ganassi. So unless Ganassi can persuade Labonte to sign, it appears Penske is left with Wallace's seat still to fill. Rudd said he'll take that seat for one final season if Penske says he needs him.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-5-2005)
    UPDATE - Penske and Sports Cars? Ricky Rudd said Saturday that he could end up driving for Roger Penske, possibly in the American Le Mans Series, instead of in NASCAR. Rudd, an expert road racer, said he will drive Penske’s #2 Dodge Nextel Cup car in 2006 if Kurt Busch isn’t released from his contract with Roush Racing. But regardless of how that works out — and he put the odds at about 50-50 — Rudd said he’d like to have a shot at driving one of Penske’s new Porsches in the ALMS. “I’m pretty much just standing by for the No. 2 (Penske Nextel Cup) car,” Rudd said. “There have been other ones that have come to me, but what I like about the No. 2 car is that everything that is needed, from financials to personnel, sponsorship — everything there is in place. It’s not a building or rebuilding situation, and that’s what’s appealing to me right now. Rudd said if he doesn’t go Cup racing in 2006, that he had “a house to build and a house to knock down, and that’s the most immediate thing on my list. Once we get that going and under control, and June or July rolls around, I might do a few road races if the right opportunity exists if I’m not in the No. 2 car.”
    As for the future of crew chief Michael “Fatback” McSwain, Rudd said he expects him to stay with the Wood Brothers #21 Ford next year, when Ken Schrader will take over behind the wheel. “I think that’s all done,” Rudd said. “He had a lot of great offers, but I believe he’s all squared away, and that’s great for the Wood Brothers.” And Rudd said he’s turned down a number of inquiries from other Cup teams. “There are options out there, but I’ve basically declined the other options,” he said.(Speed Channel)(11-6-2005)

  • Dominos Should Fall this week UPDATE:: This will be the crucial week for a decision, Roush Racing president Geoff Smith says, in the long-running driver-swap negotiations involving Jack Roush's Kurt Busch, Chip Ganassi's Jamie McMurray, and Roger Penske. If it does happen, McMurray would join Roush [#97], and Busch would join Penske [#2]. "In order for it to work, there has to be a driver for Chip," Smith said. "Ten days ago it wasn't working for Chip, but now it can work, so I presume he's got somebody." That could be Ricky Rudd, who isn't saying what his 2006 plans are, but who is reportedly very close to a decision simply to retire at the end of the season. Or it could be Bobby Labonte. Or Labonte could be headed to Bill Davis, according to sources. If Labonte leaves Chevrolet's Joe Gibbs to join the soon-to-be-Toyota Davis team as Michael Waltrip's teammate, that would be a major pick up by Toyota, expected to join the Nextel Cup tour for the 2007 season. If Davis doesn't get Labonte, he will likely get Dave Blaney, according to sources. Blaney once drove for Davis. Penske officials, saying that Rudd isn't one of their options, agree that this is the week that will tell the tale, and they agree with Smith that the complicated deal will in fact be completed.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-31-2005)
    UPDATE: ESPN's Mike Massaro is reporting that Roush Racing has released 2004 Nextel Cup Champ #97 Kurt Busch from his 2006 contract obligations, allowing Busch to go to the #2 Miller Lite Dodge that Rusty Wallace will be retiring from at the end of 2005. ALSO Massaro is reporting that Jamie McMurray has been released from his 2006 Ganassi Racing contract to drive the #42 Texaco Dodge, allowing him to go to Roush Racing, taking over for Busch in the #97/#28 car or whatever number they will use. So......who goes to the #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge? I am still hearing it'll be Bobby Labonte, and other reports have Ricky Rudd taking the #42 ride over.(10-31-2005)

  • Rudd to the #2? #97 to #28? MORE: Lee Spencer reports on Around the Track that Roger Penske spoke with Ricky Rudd regarding taking over the #2 ride if Kurt Busch is not released from the #97 team. The #97 is expected to switch to the #28 in 2006. Around the Track runs on Fox Sports South [TV] at 10:30pm/et tonight.(10-30-2005)
    MORE: Bobby Labonte might be the most popular driver in the garage right now when it comes to teams that need drivers. What team wouldn't want to tease potential sponsors with a former champion? He has been mentioned as a candidate to drive the Nos. 43, 42 and 22. If Labonte drives the No. 43 for Petty Enterprises, Shell looks good as the sponsor. If Labonte jumps into the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing ride, that opens the door for Jamie McMurray to move to Roush Racing to drive the #97 (which could switch numbers and become the 28). Kurt Busch could in turn take over the No. 2 Penske Racing car after Rusty Wallace retires. Roger Penske admitted in Atlanta that he had spoken to Ricky Rudd about possibly doing a one-year deal if Busch were not released, but the surest bet in the driver's roulette would be on Busch in the #2 at Daytona.(Sporting News)(10-31-2005)

  • #21 Team Moving: The Wood Brothers Racing #21 team is moving to its third shop in the past two years. When the team decided to move from its long-time base in Stuart, Va., closer to the racing mecca around Concord, N.C., where most NASCAR teams are located, it took over Ricky Rudd's old shop in Mooresville, NC. But those quarters proved to be too cramped. Team co-owner Len Wood said the new shop — which the team will share with ST Motorsports, a Busch Series team now working with the Woods — is 129,000 square feet versus the 30,000-square-foot building that now houses the team. It is about four miles from Lowe's Motor Speedway.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-30-2005)

  • Rudd to retire? Schrader to the #21 for 2006? UPDATE 4? one scenerio I am hearing is that Ricky Rudd, driver of the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, could retire at the end of 2005 with no fanfare. John Andretti would drive the #21 for a year, with Jon Wood staying in the #47 Busch Series Ford and moving up to Cup in 2007.(10-9-2005)
    UPDATE: now hearing Ken Schrader, driver of the #49 Schwan's Home Service, could replace Rudd in the #21, 'if' Rudd does retire, and possibly may bring the sponsor along with him. BAM Racing and Schrader have said in the past that they expected to be together in 2006 and Schrader said it was his last full-time season in 2006.(10-11-2005)
    UPDATE 2; RacingOne reports: Ken Schrader will run one more full NEXTEL Cup season in 2006 for BAM Motorsports. Schrader will shift to the Craftsman Truck Series in 2007 joining Mark Martin as two more former NEXTEL Cup regulars finding homes on the truck circuit.(RacingOne)(10-12-2005)
    UPDATE 3: been told that Andretti in not a candidate for the #21 ride.(10-13-2005)
    UPDATE 4: seems most reports have Rudd going to the #42 ride or retiring, been told Schrader to the #21 is a done deal and will be announced soon.(10-24-2005)
    AND as for Schwan's, have heard two things....that they stay with the #49 BAM team OR that they go with Schrader to the #49 in some capacity. Who would drive the #49? hve heard Mike Bliss is a candiate as is Dave Blaney, both are also up for the #43 Petty Dodge also.(10-25-2005)

  • OR is it Rudd to the #42? Speculation has run rampant around what Ricky Rudd's plans are for next season, but thus far he's kept quiet. But I [Yahoo Sports] heard an unconfirmed rumor Friday at Martinsville that perhaps makes the most sense of any buzz that I've heard in a long time. Instead of retiring at the end of this year, Rudd could leave the #21 car to drive the #42 car [Rudd ran for Texaco with RYR 2000-2002] for Chip Ganassi next season. Jamie McMurray would be released from the final year of his contract with Ganassi so that he can drive the #97 Ford for Roush Racing, thus freeing up Kurt Busch to get out of his contract with Roush one year early to replace Rusty Wallace in the #2 Dodge next season. Sources indicate that Ganassi could also receive payment from the Roush camp, which in turn likely would receive funds from Penske Racing South and primary sponsor Miller Lite for Busch's early release to replace Wallace. From what I've [Yahoo Sports] heard, Texaco Havoline is not pleased with having McMurray as a moody, unhappy lame-duck driver in 2006 and has been applying pressure to Ganassi to let McMurray go. Texaco Havoline would then build a significant one-year farewell tour marketing campaign around Rudd. As for the Wood Brothers, John Andretti [denied by the team] is rumored to be a possible one-year fill-in until Jon Wood is ready to go full-time on the Cup level in 2007. The #21 car still needs sponsorship for next season, which is one more thing Rudd would not want to worry about. Rudd added that he has no plans to race in the Busch or Craftsman Truck ranks.(Yahoo Sports), Jayski Note: heard that Bobby Labonte could be headed to the #42..see story below.(10-23-2005)

  • Rudd still mum of 2006 plans: After a solid qualifying lap put him on the outside of the front row for Sunday's Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Ricky Rudd knew the questions about his future were coming. He was ready. "Let's talk about Martinsville. I know what's happening at Martinsville," Rudd said Friday with a laugh. "No disrespect to everybody. It's just not time to announce anything yet." Rudd, in his third season driving for #21 Wood Brothers Racing and in his 31st season in Nextel Cup racing, said he realizes his fans want to know his plans. "We're very aware of the support we have from them and the last thing we want to do is make it appear like we're snubbing them or dusting them off," he said. "It's not intended that way. When everything comes out and all the hands get played, I think everyone will see there were reasons why things needed to be kept under wraps. The time has not come to divulge that. I wish I could."(ESPN.com/AP)(10-22-2005)

  • Jon Wood's 2007 Plans: from a Ford Racing PR: WHAT ARE YOUR [Jon Wood, #47 Bisch driver] RACING PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
    “As they stand today, I will do a minimum of seven Cup races. The 21 thing, that’s still up in the air, and I want to do it like Carl’s (Edwards) doing and that’s whenever that opportunity would come, which would be in ’07 with the worst-case scenario, being able to run the Busch car and the Cup car. Running both series at the same time would be ideal because at the Cup level you’re racing against Tony Stewart and those guys have been racing these cars forever, so any additional track time you can get is a plus. If the trucks were in companion with the Busch cars every week, I would be campaigning to have a truck. I think with the new testing rules going into place next year that I need to be on the track before my main focus, the series that puts the bread on the table.”(Ford Racing)(10-12-205)

  • Rudd still undecided: #21-Ricky Rudd still hasn't decided what he wants to do next year, and the Wood brothers are getting restless in getting an answer. If Rudd returns for another season, the Wood brothers would likely put Jon Wood, the third generation, in a Cup car for seven races to get his feet wet for a full Cup campaign in 2007. If Rudd doesn't come back, Jon Wood would get the ride full-time next season.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-24-2005)

  • Woods to Receive Prestigious Smokey Yunick Award: Glen and Leonard Wood of the Wood Brothers Racing team will receive the prestigious Smokey Yunick Award during pre-race ceremonies for the UAW-GM Quality 500 Saturday night, Oct. 15, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The award, instituted several years ago by legendary car owner and mechanic Smokey Yunick who passed away May 11, 2001, annually recognizes those whose lifelong efforts have had a major impact on the motorsports industry. Wood Brothers Racing is now equally owned by Glen Wood and his children, Eddie, Len and Kim, but the 80-year-old patriarch continues to play a role in the team's operations. Leonard Wood, Glen's younger brother, has been with the team since its inception. He served as chief mechanic as the organization grew into a championship contender during the 1950s and '60s. Recently celebrating his 71st birthday, Leonard Wood still works at Wood Brothers Racing as a fabricator and toils in the carburetor department of Roush-Yates Racing Engines. Wood Brothers Racing is fourth on the all-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup win list with 97 victories, all of which have been in Ford products. Wood Brothers Racing has won NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series races in six consecutive decades. Glen Wood was selected as one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers during the sanctioning body's 50th anniversary in 1998. Eighteen of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers have driven for Wood Brothers Racing, including current driver Ricky Rudd. Glen Wood was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2001 and became a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2002. Leonard Wood received the Golden Wrench award from the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2001. Previous winners of the Smokey Yunick Award include Ken Squier, Bill Simpson, Ralph Moody, Banjo Matthews, Bud Moore, Cotton Owens, Junie Donlavey and Jim Hunter. Tickets for the UAW-GM Quality 500, round five of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, start at just $29 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(More at lowesmotorspeedway.com) and for more about Smokey Yunnick, see smokeyyunick.com.(9-20-2005)

  • #21 Team Close to a Sponsor UPDATE:The Wood Brothers, #21 Ford with Ricky Rudd as the driver, are close to securing a final sponsor for next year. Motorcraft will return as a primary sponsor for a selected number of races, and the Air Force is expected to return as well. A third primary sponsor still is being sought.(Roanoke Times)(9-17-2005)
    UPDATE: Wood Brothers Racing continues to seek sponsorship for the #21 car for 2006. Driver Ricky Rudd has not publicly committed to driving the car beyond this year.(Sporting News)(9-19-2005)

  • Rudd to race at Calif: Jon Wood, the son of Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood, qualified the #21 Motorcraft Ford 39th while filling in for Ricky Rudd, whose father died Tuesday. Rudd was expected to arrive in California later Saturday and will race on Sunday, starting from the rear of the 43-car field because of the driver change. "With what happened to Ricky's dad and the circumstances leading up to it, I don't think anybody is really in the right frame of mind," the younger Wood said. "I just kind of wanted to make sure I didn't wreck it for him. I was just there filling in a space that needed to be filled."(ESPN.com/AP)(9-4-2005)

  • Wood to practice/Qualify the #21 at Calif UPDATE: Jon Wood, driver of the #47 Clorax Busch Series Ford, will practice and possibly qualify the #21 Motorcraft Ford as driver Ricky Rudd is with family following the death of his father Al Rudd Sr. Plans are for Rudd to run the race Sunday night and extend his consecutive start streak to 777 races.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show/Sporting News)(9-2-2005)
    UPDATE: For the first time since 1964, a man with the last name of Wood is behind the wheel of the famed #21 Ford. Jon Wood filled in for Ricky Rudd during Friday's practice session at California Speedway in preparation for Sunday's Sony HD 500. Rudd was not at the track after attending the funeral of his father, Al Rudd Sr. earlier on Friday in Virginia. Al Rudd, Sr. died on Tuesday after a lengthy illness. Many teams, including all five Roush Racing Fords, are sporting decals on their cars in memory of Rudd Sr. Glen Wood, founder of the family-owned team, drove from 1953-64 and won four times. He competed twice in 1964, capturing one pole and one third-place finish. He earned a grand total of $530. Rudd's status for the remainder of the weekend is still to be determined.(Ford Racing)(9-3-2005)

  • Sad News: Ricky Rudd's father Al Rudd, Sr. died Tuesday evening following a lengthy illness. Arrangements for a private service are pending. According to the family, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
    AND Wood Brothers Racing learned that Al Rudd, Sr., father of driver Ricky Rudd, passed away late Tuesday following a lengthy illness. The senior Rudd, a former racer himself, was instrumental in Ricky's career having fielded early entries in NASCAR competition with a family sponsored team under the Al Rudd Auto Parts banner. He also supported Ricky's Kart and Enduro racing. The team extends its deepest sympathy to Ricky and his entire family. There will be a private funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.
    See more info on Al Rudd Sr. at Hamptonroads.com.(9-1-2005)

  • Wood Brothers and ST Motorsports partner up UPDATE 2: The owners of Wood Brothers Racing and ST Motorsports today announced the formation of a new partnership—Wood Brothers/TJG Racing—in a press conference today at Michigan International Speedway. The new enterprise will bring together two of the most tenured teams in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series’ garage, combining the racing heritage of the Wood Brothers and the marketing savvy of ST Motorsports. Glen Wood, his children Eddie, Len and Kim, along with Tad and Jodi Geschickter, will join forces to establish a racing enterprise that competes in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series. The structure will provide all employees, including drivers, the opportunity to develop his or her career path with a single, Ford factory-backed company. The Wood Brothers have been running exclusively Ford Motor Company products in NASCAR racing for 55 years, and are the automaker’s all-time winningest team. ST Motorsports has been in existence for 11 years, the last two as a Ford-supported Busch Series program.
    In 2006, Wood Brothers Racing will continue to campaign the #21 Ford Fusion in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Series. ST Motorsports will continue to field the #47 and #59 Busch Series Fusion entries. The partnership intends to build an additional Nextel Cup team and two Craftsman Truck Series teams. Wood Brothers/JTG Racing will include a centralized fabrication shop and an engineering department, with the assistance of Ford Racing Technology engineers. Wood and Geschickter took their business plan to Ford Racing. When they learned that executives there were equally enthused about the idea, the partnership was formed. The group will begin work immediately by establishing a base of operation, and by developing its employee, driver, and sponsor base. Partial season sponsorship in 2006 for the #21 Wood Brothers entry from Motorcraft is in place as well as full season sponsorship for the #47 and #59 Busch Series entries from Clorox Bleach and Kingsford Charcoal.(Ford Racing site)
    NOTES - sponsor? doesn't mention if Ricky Rudd, driver of the #21 Ford will return as the driver. Jon Wood currently drives the #47 Clorax Ford for ST Motorsports in the Busch Series, supposedly Wood will move up to Cup in 2006, either full-time or a limited schedule depending on sposnorship, one sponsor being runored is Armour All.(8-19-2005)
    UPDATE: Wood said Michael "Fatback" McSwain, current crew chief for Wood Brothers #21 car driven by Ricky Rudd, will oversee the construction and setup of the cars. He added that the partnership has already locked up partial 2006 season sponsorship for Rudd's car as well as full sponsorship for two other cars to run in the Busch Series.(ESPN.com/AP)(8-20-2005)
    UPDATE 2: according to Eddie Wood the Wood Brothers team is seeking sponsorship for two teams next season. If they can't find two they'll have to decide between Ricky Rudd and Jon Wood for the #21 Ford [Motorcraft is scaling back their support]. No decision has been made yet but Wood says they're not worried about it right now.(ESPN's SportsCenter/Mike Massaro)(8-21-2005)

  • Wood splits with Roush: Busch Series driver Jon Wood no longer is under contract with Roush Racing, with the split reported to be mutual. Wood, 23, had been considered to be a candidate for a Roush [#6] seat, but apparently the family-owned Wood Brothers have other plans. Wood had been on loan fom Roush to ST Motorsports in Busch [#47 Ford] this season.(Speed Channel)(8-6-2005)

  • Wood Wins....Miss Teen International: Miss Teen Virginia, Jordan Wood [daughter of #21 Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood], was crowned Miss Teen International 2005 at the national pageant Saturday July 30 in Chicago. Jordan will tour the world promoting her platform, along with the morals and ethics of the Miss Teen International Pageant. Jordan is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. She is a Chi Omega sorority sister and is involved in many activities including, cheerleading, softball, and Spanish Club. Jordan enjoys dancing, traveling, NASCAR Racing, and volunteering. As the chosen winner of Miss Teen International Jordan Wood receives thousands of dollars in scholarship money and prizes, but more importantly the title will allow her the opportunity to help her chosen organization as its national advocate. Jordan has already begun advocating for public awareness of teenage dating abuse. To learn more about Jordan Wood and her platform visit her website at www.jordanwood.org.(Wood Bros Racing site)(8-4-2005)

  • 2nd Wood Brothers team? UPDATE: Jon Wood, dirver of the #47 ST Motorsports Ford in the Busch Series, immediate future appears to be moving in the Nextel Cup direction. The status of #21 Wood Brothers driver, Ricky Rudd for 2006 is unknown [his contract runs thru 2005 and retirement is a possibility]. There appears to be a good chance that Wood will advance to a Nextel Cup car, could be the #21 Ford or a 2nd team car. Eddie Wood, co-owner of the Wood Brothers team, said he is trying to put together a sponsor program to move Jon, his son, into Cup in 2006. It is possible the team could field two cars if Rudd decides to run next year. If Rudd were to retire, Wood could drive the #21.(paraphrased from the NASCAR Scene Magazine)(7-29-2005)
    UPDATE: Eddie Wood, co-owner of the Wood Brothers team, says that the team is looking to expand to a two-car team. "We're exploring that right now, but I don't see it happening for '06,'' Wood said in a statement from the team. "We're more concerned for the 21 car for '06 right now. But maybe by '07 we'll have a couple. I wouldn't want more than two. Two, I think, is enough to do what you want to do as far as having somebody to compare off of. When it gets down to it, each car goes to the race track, teammates or not. You hear a lot about teammates working together and you hear a lot about teammates not working together. It's all through the garage -- both sides of it. But, we would be looking in the next couple of years doing that.'' The Wood Brothers have primarily been a single-car team for more than 30 years. Ricky Rudd is the team's current driver. Rudd's three-year contract expires after this season and he's said he planned to decide if he wants to continue racing by late summer.(Roanoke Times)(8-3-2005)

  • Wood still looking at Cup: Until this weekend, Jon Wood was the heir apparent to Mark Martin in Roush Racing's famed #6 Ford. Jamie McMurray will take over one of NASCAR's most visible rides - although possibly not until 2007. Wood can turn his attention back to the Busch Series, where, as a rookie, he's 15th in the points driving the #47 Ford for mid-level ST Motorsports. ``When I first got the job in this [No. 47] race car this year, that was all that I had,'' he said. ``As the weeks went on and more talk about me going to whichever Cup car next year progressed, it didn't really distract me, but it was more than I needed at the time.'' Wood is under contract with Roush, for whom he drove in the Craftsman Truck Series from 2001 to 2004. That does not mean he will go to the next level with Roush. It is far more likely now that Wood, a third-generation racer in the Wood Brothers family, will wind up driving their #21 Ford. Ricky Rudd, 48 and winless in his three seasons as the Wood Brothers' lone driver, is nearing the end of his career. Whether he retires at the end of this year or goes one more, Wood is his likely replacement. ``There's a strong possibility that if things work out, I could be in the 21,'' Wood said. ``That would be a really big deal because the Wood Brothers family and the racing team have both put a tremendous amount of effort into getting me where I am right now, so that would be cool to pay them back.''(Tampa Tribune)(7-9-2005)

  • McSwain Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award: Ricky Rudd was flying this weekend at Infineon Raceway. In his #21 Air Force Taurus, Rudd drove all the way from his twentieth place starting spot into the top-five. Rudd's biggest move of the race came with thirty-nine laps left in the event, when crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain made the gutsy call for his driver not to follow the leaders' pit strategy and had him remain on the track. Despite being close on fuel, Rudd never sputtered and hung on for a second-place finish. McSwain not only picked up his best finish of the season, but was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Rudd was riding in twenty-fourth place when the caution waved on lap sixty-nine. Even though the leaders all came into the pits for four tires and fuel, Rudd stayed out and took over the fourth position. He took advantage of his newfound track position and muscled his way into the lead. With questionable fuel remaining and a set of worn out Goodyears, Rudd held off a hard charging Tony Stewart for several laps, before eventually succumbing to the #20 machine. This was #21 team's best finish of the 2005 season. The panel of voters; including the San Jose Mercury News, a Wypall Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser; all cast their vote for McSwain as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
    Doug Richert leads the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings with five wins. Alan Gustafson and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Bob Osborne, Fatback McSwain and Pete Rondeau are in a tie for third place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com.(SMC 500)(6-26-2005)

  • Marlin to the #6? Sterling Marlin [#40 Dodge] is having discussions with Jack Roush about the possibility of replacing Mark Martin next year in the #6 Ford.(Gaston Gazette), also have heard that Marlin could go to the #21 Wood Brothers Ford with Ricky Rudd moving over to the #6.(6-12-2005)

  • Rudd to decide by mid-summer whether to retire; #850 3rd best: #21-Ricky Rudd knows what he'll do, or at least not do, when he retires. It's just that he doesn't know if this will be his last NASCAR Nextel Cup season. A season besieged by accidents and mechanical woes have pinned him deep into the points standings heading into Saturday night's Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International Raceway. That's raised the question of the 48-year-old Chesapeake native's status. When asked about retirement in January, he said that if he doesn't run well this year, "then you probably won't see me the next year." So, is this Rudd's last ride? He says he'll decide sometime this summer if he'll join Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin in making this his final Cup season. Both, who announced their retirements last year, are having solid farewells. Martin is sixth in the points and Wallace 14th but only 42 points behind Martin. When Rudd decides to retire, he says he won't follow the paths other veterans have taken. He doesn't want to do a full-season farewell tour just to sell special souvenir items as many have done. Rudd also says he won't run a partial schedule as Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte are doing. While Martin has hinted at running a full season on the Craftsman Truck series next year, Rudd won't. "I see myself not traveling so much, going off and seeing family that I've neglected for years," said Rudd, who made his Cup debut at age 18 in 1975 at Rockingham. "I've got a lot of catching up to do in my personal life." Although Rudd says that he'll spend a year away from racing once he retires, he admits there's one thing that could draw him back. "Something in the back of my mind that I wanted to do was LeMans," he says of the world famous 24-hour race. "I would drive there. That race has probably lost a lot of prestige over the years in this country, but as a kid growing up and being into go-kart road racing, that was a race I used to dream about."(Roanoke Times)
    AND Rudd will mak his 850th career start in the Cup series in Saturday's Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Rudd is third on the all-time starts list behind Richard Petty (1,185) and Dave Marcis (883).(5-13-2005)

  • Rudd to 2nd: #21-Ricky Rudd is expected to make his 55th start at Bristol, placing him second in all-time starts there behind Richard Petty, who had 60. Dave Marcis had 54, followed by Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte at 52.(NASCAR Stat Services)(3-28-2005)

  • Sad News: Angela Broome "Angie" Skog, 36, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2005 at her home. She was born on May 1, 1968 to Thomas Richard and Sarah Jenkins Broome of Concord. Angie was a graduate of West Charlotte High School, Class of '85, and of UNC-Charlotte, Class of '90, where she earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She worked with Ricky Rudd Racing team as office manager [and fanclub]. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, David 'Dave' Vernon Skog; sister, Lisa B. Daniels and husband Michael of Randleman, NC; and niece, Jennifer Lynn Daniels. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2005 in the chapel of Raymer Funeral Home with Rev. Kyle Hite of Rocky River Presbyterian Church officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior and one hour following the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County, 244 Hwy 29 S, Concord, NC 28027; or Motor Racing Outreach, Smith Tower, Suite 405, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027.(a guest book can be signed at the Charlotte Observer) and see a sticker Rudd had on his Atlanta car the Wood Brothers site.(3-22-2005)

  • Fatback's stance on the penalties: The crimes committed in Sin City [Las Vegas] drew stiff punishments and suspensions for [crew chiefs] #48-Chad Knaus, #5-Alan Gustafson and #29-Todd Berrier but not much sympathy from many competitors. The trio is challenging the penalties as excessive, but [#21 Crew Chief] Michael "Fatback" McSwain wasn't interested in hearing explanations or claims of injustice. "Tough [expletive]," said McSwain, crew chief for Ricky Rudd. "That's [baloney], man. That's what's wrong with America now. Every time somebody screws up, we tell them it's all right. You don't pay your bills, you can file bankruptcy. You kill somebody, spend 10 years in jail, and we'll let you out. That's what's wrong with society now, man. If you do the crime do the time. If you had the guts to do it, have the guts to take your punishment."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-19-2005)

  • Fatback at Atlanta: XM Radio reports that Michael "Fatback" McSwian, crew chief for the #21, is at Atlanta and back working.(XM Satellite NASCAR Radio)(3-18-2005)

  • No Fatback at Vegas: Michael "Fatback" McSwain, crew chief of the #21 Motorcraft Genuine Parts Ford Taurus, won't be at the race track at Las Vegas this weekend, missing his second straight NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event, as he continues to recover from back surgery. A couple of weeks ago, McSwain called the California race from his home in North Carolina, utilizing communications technology from series sponsors NEXTEL and Racing Radios.
    MICHAEL "FATBACK" McSWAIN, crew chief on the #21 Motorcraft Genuine Parts Ford: WILL YOU BE AT LAS VEGAS? "I won't be in Vegas so we'll be doing the same thing we did at California."
    DID THE SET UP WORK WELL FOR CALIFORNIA? "It worked okay, probably as good as its gonna work not being there. It went pretty good. We tested there so that made it kind of easy. And, we've got a good team so that made it easier too."
    HOW DID USING TRACK PASS WORK OUT? "I thought that worked good. It probably made it work out the best it possibly could. There is not that much of a delay. It worked good. We'll use the same communication set-up for Vegas, and Atlanta if I can't go there. I have to wait and see what the doctor says next week when I see him."(MotorCraft Racing PR)(3-9-2005)

  • Rent-A-Center returns to the #21 and Rudd: Rent-A-Center is returning as an associate sponsor of the #21 Wood Brothers Team in 2005. Furthermore, the #21 Ford Taurus will carry a Rent-A-Center paint scheme for the April 17th race at Texas Motor Speedway and the June 19th race at Michigan International Speedway. A promotion is currently in the works that could award up to 40,000 Rent-A-Center prizes to customers who rent from Rent-A-Center between April 11th and May 14th. Prizes will be awarded based on Ricky Rudd's finish in the June 19th race at Michigan International Speedway. Everyone who signs an agreement during this time frame will receive a scratch-off card good for up to $50 off their agreement while supplies last. Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas, currently operates 2,871 company-owned stores nationwide and in Canada and Puerto Rico. More info on Rent-A-Center at rentacenter.com.(Motorcraft Racing PR)(3-3-2005)

  • No Fatback at California UPDATE: Speed Channel's NASCAR Nation reports that #21 Motorcraft Ford / Wood Brothers Racing crew chief Michael 'Fatback' McSwain will not be at California Speedway as he had some out patient back surgery this week. Eddie Wood will serve as the crew chief for Ricky Rudd in the Auto Club 500. The team is working on a way that McSwain will be able to call the shots from his home.(2-24-2005)
    UPDATE: Crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain will not be physically present for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, but the Wood Brothers Racing team will have his live input through the electronic technology of Nextel, Racing Radios engineering and NEXTEL Track Pass on NASCAR.com.
    According to team co-owner Eddie Wood, "As soon as we found out Fatback would have to have his surgery this week we started exploring possible options for communication. In the process we discovered between Nextel and Racing Radios we would be able to hook up a line of direct contact between Fatback, Ricky, team engineer Hoyt Overbagh and me. Fatback will be able to monitor the race as it progresses in real time on NASCAR.com." McSwain underwent back surgery in North Carolina Friday morning while his Motorcraft Genuine Parts Team prepared its #21 Ford Taurus for practice in California. The team plans to communicate with the crew chief during practice sessions at the track Friday afternoon, before qualifying on Saturday and during the race on Sunday.
    "The positive part of this is that we had a real good test in California," said McSwain. "We were happy when we came home. That makes it a little easier. If we hadn't tested out there with this new aero package and we were going out there green, it would be different." McSwain is scheduled to have a micro-endoscopic procedure on the L-5 disc in his back Friday morning to correct a problem that was discovered when he returned from Daytona. The crew chief had surgery late last year for a back ailment that developed during the 2004 season. Doctors advised immediate surgery to resolve the current situation. Friday's operation is an outpatient procedure that will allow McSwain to return to his Charlotte area residence that afternoon.(Motorcraft Racing PR)(2-25-2005)

  • NASCAR announces fines for Daytona infractions: NASCAR announced Wednesday that 15 penalties - including 11 fines totaling $102,000 - have been issued to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, resulting from rule violations during the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 race weeks at Daytona International Speedway.
    Two of those penalties were issued to Robby Gordon Motorsports, including the most severe fine – $50,000 for crew chief Bob Temple – because of an unapproved intake manifold on the #7 Chevrolet discovered during the initial Daytona 500 inspection process on Feb. 11. Robby Gordon’s car owner Jim Smith was penalized 25 car owner championship points. The #7 was in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules). Gordon currently has no driver championship points, because the #7 failed to make the Daytona 500 field. Smith, however, earned 31 owner points at Daytona. Per the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book, a car owner receives points based on qualifying results, if their car fails to actually qualify for a starting field.
    Four penalties were issued to Wood Brothers Racing, because of an unapproved spoiler adjustment on the #21 Ford that took place after pre-race inspection for the Gatorade Duel at Daytona (Daytona 500 qualifying races) on Feb. 17. Ricky Rudd was penalized 25 driver points; Glen Wood was penalized 25 owner points; and crew chief Michael McSwain was fined $25,000. Also, crew member Marc Smith was suspended from NASCAR competition until March 31. The #21 also was in violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q.
    Pete Rondeau, crew chief on the #8 Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., was fined $10,000 for an unapproved third gear transmission ratio. The violation was discovered during the initial inspection for the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 10. The #8 was in violation of Section 12-4-A and 12-4-CC (unapproved rear end gear or transmission gear ratio).
    David Charpentier, crew chief for the #14 Ford driven by John Andretti, was fined $10,000 because of improperly attached weight, a violation of 12-4-A and 12-4-W (improperly attached weight) determined during pre-race inspection for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20.
    Also, the following NASCAR NEXTEL Cup crew chiefs were issued $1,000 fines:
    * Harold Holly (#32 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr.), because of an unapproved fuel cell well (violating Section 12-4-U) found during the initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11. There were false panels inside the well.
    * Jimmy Elledge (#41 Dodge driven by Casey Mears), because of an unapproved window net (12-4-Q) found during initial Budweiser Shootout inspection on Feb. 10.
    * Jim Penland (#23 Dodge driven by Mike Skinner), because of an unapproved window net (12-4-Q) found during initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11.
    * Robert Leslie (#33 Chevrolet driven by Kerry Earnhardt), because of an unapproved window net (12-4-Q) found during initial inspection for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 11.
    * Beau Tiffany (#52 Ford driven by Larry Gunselman), because of an unapproved fire suppression agent (12-4-Q) found during initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11.
    * Stanton Hover Jr. (#80 Ford driven by Andy Belmont), because of an unapproved side window (12-4-Q) found during initial Daytona 500 inspection on Feb. 11.
    * Hover, because of an unapproved fire bottle (12-4-Q) found during the 500’s initial inspection process on Feb. 11.(NASCAR PR)
    The penalties drop Rudd from 24th to 33rd in Drivers Points and the team to 33rd in 2005 Owners Points.
    Drops Gordon's team from 44th to 52nd in 2005 Owners Points
    Owners points don't come into play until race #6 for starting spots.(2-23-2005)

  • Wood Brothers Start Driver Development Program: Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest continuously operating team in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, is beginning its own driver development team in the NASCAR Late Model Dodge Weekly Series with sponsor Duke’s Mayonnaise and Keven Wood. “We’ve been thinking about this for a while,” said team co-owner and Keven’s father Len Wood. “We looked at what other Cup teams—Roush [Racing], [Chip] Ganassi [Racing], Evernham [Motorsports], [Richard] Childress [Racing] and [Joe] Gibbs [Racing]—were doing, and decided it would be a good idea to start our own development program. “We discussed it with several people, and family friend Mark Sauer, who is a member of the C. F. Sauer family that owns Duke Mayonnaise, expressed an interest in helping out. He knew that Keven had raced in the Legend Series and done some late model racing as part of a college program. Mark said he would like to work with us on the program. We are very pleased to be working with the Woods on their driver development program as they look to the future of their team, we are both in family-owned businesses from Virginia, and this will be a good fit for our company’s marketing program.”
    “I planned to race the NASCAR late model series during the 2005 season, but now with the Duke’s Mayonnaise sponsorship we’ll be able to have better equipment and it will give me an even better chance to see what I’ve got as a driver,” said Keven. “We’re registered at 12 different tracks across the Carolinas and Virginia so it’s going to be a busy year. I’m really honored that they chose to work with us.” Keven will be following in the footsteps of his cousin Eddie Wood’s son, Jon, who is driving the #47 Clorox Ford owned by ST Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch Series this year. “We need to explore our options for the future of Wood Brothers Racing,” said Eddie Wood. “Jon has raced Karts, late models, NASCAR Craftsmen trucks and now he is in Busch. We hope that he’ll end up with our team. Wouldn’t it be something if both these kids followed in their grandfather’s footsteps?”(Ford Racing)(2-21-2005)

  • #21 to honor fallen soldier: Wood Brothers Racing will place a decal on Ricky Rudd's #21 Motorcraft Ford during Speedweeks in honor of U.S. Marine Corp. Jonathan W. Bowling. The 23-year-old native of Stuart, Va., was killed Jan. 26 with three others from a Lynchburg-based unit in Iraq during an ambush. The Martinsville police officer attended Patrick County High School with the sons and daughter of team co-owners Eddie and Len Wood.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-13-2005)

  • Rudd and Mears tangle in practice: #21-Ricky Rudd and #41-Casey Mears made contact during last night's final Budweiser Shootout practice. Mears' Dodge spun without incident, and both cars avoided significant damage. Mears visited Rudd's garage stall to apologize and drew angry words from Michael McSwain, Rudd's burly crew chief. "I thought I was clear, and I wasn't," Mears said. "It was my fault. Ricky was cool, but [McSwain] needs to calm down a little bit. Stuff happens." Rudd said a minor wrinkle to his "super sensitive" right-front fender could affect his Ford's handling tonight but accepted Mears' apology. "It's very easy to make a mistake when you're running three wide like that," Rudd said. "It's intense."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-12-2005)

  • Air Force is back with the #21: The Air Force begins its fifth year as a NASCAR sponsor when the 2005 Nextel Cup season kicks off with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. After recruiting one of the most accomplished crew chiefs [Michael McSwain] in the sport and making numerous off-season changes, the Air Force-sponsored Wood Brothers Racing #21 NASCAR team is focused on success, officials said. The driver of the car #21 is Ricky Rudd.(Air Force Link)(2-11-2005)

  • No Timetable for Rudd retiring: #21-Ricky Rudd hasn't decided when he will retire from NASCAR, but he has settled on the criteria that will determine his decision. "If we can't get it done and run up front this year, you probably won't see me next year," Rudd said during yesterday's NASCAR Nextel Media Tour. "If I'm competitive this year, and we run up front, maybe win a race or two and be a factor in that top 10, then you're probably going to deal with me a couple more years."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(1-27-2005)

    2004 News

  • Congrats: #21 Wood Brothers crew chief Fatback McSwain and his wife Deanna have a "babyback". Makayla Ann McSwain was born at 7:30pm/et on Friday, Dec 10th and weighs 8lbs, 1oz.(12-11-2004)

  • VA Car Owners to be Inducted into VA Hall of Fame: Three legendary car owners will be inducted into the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame on Dec. 11. Junie Donlavey, who has fielded Cup cars out of Richmond for more than 50 years, and Glen and Leonard Wood, whose Stuart-based team won 96 Cup races, will be honored at World of Sports Complex in South Boston.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(12-3-2004)

  • Wood Brothers hire pit crew coach: The Wood Brothers and pit stops have been synonymous for years and years. The pit crew for the present day Wood Brothers Racing #21 Motorcraft Taurus won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship for its work at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend. Current Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood says the team's pit crew has been getting better and better, and the very recent addition of Gary Smith as pit-crew coach also has helped. "Our crew had been coming together really quickly since Fatback [McSwain] got here, and last Sunday was basically proof of it. We just hired a pit-crew coach, Gary Smith, and his first day was at Atlanta. Basically, what we had has gotten better since Fatback got here," said co-owner Eddie Wood.(Ford Racing/Campbell PR)(11-7-2004)

  • Rudd's Pit Crew Claims Atlanta Win; Four Crews in Hunt For $200,000 Champion's Bonus: Ricky Rudd's pit crew won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was the first victory for No. 21 crew in the weekly competition that pays $20,000 to the winner. Heading into the final three races of the season, the McDonald's/POWERade points race has heated up with four pit crews in a closely-contested battle for the $200,000 champion's bonus. Leading the chase is the No. 38 pit crew for Elliot Sadler with 1160 points. Tony Stewart's crew is second with 1152 points, third is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew (1151) and fourth is Kurt Busch's crew (1144). Rudd's Rent-a-Center Motorcraft Ford spent the least amount of time on Atlanta's pit road with a time of 280.639 seconds. Stewart's Home Depot Chevrolet was second at 285.441 and Michael Waltrip's NAPA Chevy was third at 286.842. "I'm real proud of the guys," said Rudd. "They were really decent from the beginning of the year, but have gotten even better the past few weeks. I knew they were quick because we went forward all day. I'm just real proud of them. Our crew has picked up the pace, and we've got Gary Smith (pit crew trainer) on board now. He has trained a lot of the top teams and he has helped." Rudd's crew chief, Michael "Fatback" McSwain said, "Our crew and Ricky have really been working hard on this. It is good to see that all the hours they have put in practicing, and Ricky working on getting on and off pit road, have really paid off." Rudd's over-the-wall crew consists of: Tony Martin (jackman), Mike "Andretti" Smith (front-tire changer), Andy Silver (front-tire carrier), Rob Fuller (rear-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Henry Benfield (gasman) and Marc Smith (catch can). (DMF Comminications PR), see top-10 at Atlanta with time, season standings and more on my Pit Crew page.(11-4-2004)

  • Jason rooting for Ricky: One lucky fan will win a million dollars this weekend if Ricky Rudd goes to Victory Lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Rudd's #21 Wood Brothers Racing Taurus will run the Rent-A-Center colors on Sunday, and the associate sponsor has posted a $1 million dollar payout if Rudd wins the race. Jason Sigmon of Alpharetta, Ga., won a drawing from entries collected from Rent-A-Center locations in the Atlanta area.(Team Ford Racing)(10-27-2004)

  • 1200 Races: #21 Wood Brothers Racing will be making its 1,200th Cup start tonight at Lowe's Motor SPeedway when Ricky Rudd starts the race.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-16-2004)

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  • Fatback having a good time: Michael "Fatback" McSwain, crew chief for #21-Ricky Rudd, was wearing a Cleveland Browns hat this weekend after donning a Dallas Cowboys cap at Talladega. Both teams happen to have defeated the Washington Redskins in the return season of coach Joe Gibbs, who also happens to own the #18 Chevrolet, which McSwain left in July.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-11-2004)

  • Happy 70th to Leonard Wood of the famed Wood Brothers Racing, #21 Motorcraft/Air Force Ford that Ricky Rudd drivers, turned 70 today and has been fixture in the garage for over 50 years and still accompanies the #21 car to the track on a weekly basis.(9-22-2004)

  • Wood Bros and Roush Splitting? The Winston Salem Journal) reports....The Wood brothers [#21 Motorcraft/US Air Force/Rent-A-Center Ford] and Jack Roush are splitting, and it's not clear what's going on behind the scenes. The Wood brothers, who will still be running Roush-Yates engines, shrug off the situation with little comment, saying they've been doing most of their own engineering work for some time now. Roush says the Woods' decision to hire Michael 'Fatback' McSwain has changed the dynamics of the relationship between his five teams and the Wood brothers, who have been allied with Roush on the technological side for several years. The Wood brothers hired McSwain two weeks ago at Ricky Rudd's urging. Rudd and McSwain worked well together in the past, and Rudd hopes the reunion will rekindle that magic. Roush says that he and his drivers were OK with the Wood brothers hiring McSwain but that his crew chiefs are concerned about revealing too many secrets to McSwain.(quotes also at: Winston Salem Journal).(9-11-2004)

  • #21 Hires Chassis Specialist too: Things keep getting better and better for the #21 Motorcraft Ford team. This week’s good news comes in another new hire for the team. This time it’s Hoyt Overbach’s acquisition that raised the stakes at the famed Wood Brothers Racing team. The Woods hired Overbach, one of the best chassis specialists in the business, yesterday and he reported to duty at Bristol, today, ready to go. Hoyt has been somewhat joined at the hip to Michael "Fatback" McSwain for the past number of years and has been practically as close to Ricky Rudd for nearly as long. Overbach worked with Fatback and Rudd starting at the driver’s self-owned team, Rudd Performance Motorsports. Overbach then followed the pair to Robert Yates Racing. Ultimately, the chassis guru followed McSwain to Joe Gibbs Racing. Overbach took a bit of a vacation after McSwain left JGR several weeks ago before deciding to join the old gang in the Motorcraft shops. The Wood’s new chassis man is rather quiet, and would rather have folks notice him by his work. But he did tell www.teamfordracing.com, “I started yesterday and I’m loving it!”
    Len Wood piped up saying, “We told him that he had to start before California and he agreed.” Showing his dry sense of humor Overbach started shaking his head as he worked on a shock and muttered, “That was almost the deal breaker right there.” The comment cracked-up both Wood and Overbach, obviously happy to be in each other’s company. Solid results will take several weeks to show as McSwain works to get the 14 or so Motorcraft Ford Tauruses into fighting trim. However, Hoyt will only shorten that timeframe since Fatback won’t have to worry about taking care of the chassis, Overbach knows what Rudd looks for in his cars due to the years the three have spent together.(Team Ford Racing)(8-28-2004)

  • Rudd's Comments: Ricky Rudd told PRN’s Pitreporters Show: “It’s kinda odd the way things turn out where Fatback becomes available. It’s rare that you get an opportunity to grab a crew chief with a winning, proven record in the middle of the season.” As for their sometimes rocky relationship Rudd said, “I think we’ve both have grown quite a bit. We’ve always had a relationship were we could fuss at each other and yell at each other and close the doors and we could wrestle with each other if it came to that, but we would always iron our differences out. It got a little sticky with that final year with car owner Robert Yates but I think we’ve patched those differences up and we both agree that in this situation we’ve got proven results, so I’m looking forward to picking up where we left off.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-19-2004)

  • It's Official - Fatback and Rudd back together..at the #21: After an 18-month separation, Rudd and McSwain are officially back together as driver and crew chief. With Ben Leslie's move to Ford field manager — replacing Robin Pemberton who accepted a position with NASCAR — it opens the door for Rudd and McSwain to pick up where they left off after the end of the 2002 season. Michael "Fatback" McSwain and Ricky Rudd won three races in three years together. (Jonathan Ferrey / GettyImages) The car number has changed from the 28 to the 21, but the pair is hoping to rekindle the magic that sparked when Rudd had his own team and caught fire once the dynamic duo encountered the resources at Robert Yates Racing. The pairing was successful as Rudd won three races, posted 34 top fives and finished in the top 10 all three seasons at Yates, but the relationship turned tumultuous towards the end of the 2002 season — the final year that Rudd and McSwain were together. "Our first year we finished fifth at Yates, and the second year, we were challenging for the championship," Rudd says. "We were second in points — close to Gordon — until we got to Martinsville, and the engine broke. We really did some backsliding and fell from second to fourth in points. The next year, we finished 10th, but that's when things were really falling apart at the seams. It clicked. It did work well together. When you've been together with people that long, you're going to have your spats — and we had ours. But most of the time we were able to get it under control. There was a lot of tension on that team in the last year at Yates. It wasn't necessary all Fatback's fault. Things were falling apart. It just wasn't working."
    Michael "Fatback" McSwain and Bobby Labonte talk in the Chicagoland Speedway garage in July. McSwain was released by Joe Gibbs Racing three days after the Tropicana 400. McSwain, 37, left Yates after the 2002 season and joined Joe Gibbs Racing to crew chief the #18 car and Bobby Labonte. He was released from his duties on July 14. Rudd feels that he and McSwain are both older and wiser and committed to racing. He also feels they can but past differences behind them. Rudd currently has one year left on his contract with the Wood Brothers and has not decided on an exact retirement date at this point. Certainly, the results the team expected going into the relationship have not come to fruition. And as successful as 47-year-old Chesapeake, Va.-native has been throughout his 30 seasons on the tour, Rudd won't leave the sport without a fight.(FoxSports/Sporting News and see the Wood Brothers Racing site)(8-18-2004)

  • More on where Fatback may end up; #21? RCR?: from FSN's NASCAR This Morning:
    Winston Kelley: The rumor mill has started to stir around with (crew chief) Michael "Fatback" McSwain being available. You guys have worked together. Is there anything going on there that you can talk about?
    Ricky Rudd: Well, the only thing I can say is that this team needs to get better. It has a lot of the tools it needs to get better. There's no secret about it. (Crew chief) Ben Leslie and I get along very great. I've got a lot of respect for him. The chemistry... I'm speaking in English, and he's listening in Spanish. It just doesn't seem to click no matter how hard he's been trying. It's just not working out so I don't think it's any big secret that we need to do better together, and it's not, again, from lack of trying on anybody's part. It just doesn't seem like the communication is there. "Fatback" McSwain is a guy that we have worked with in the past, and the communication wasn't an issue. We had a lot of good success together. He's a pretty popular guy right now. I don't know if he'll come on board right now or not, but we have talked to him. I'm not going to beat around the bush. But, again, it's not meant out of any disrespect to the guys we've got. It just isn't clicking right now."(FSN's NASCAR This Morning)
    AND Crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain could, according to sources, be moving to the Richard Childress camp. Mike Dillon, the general manager for Childress, insists he hasn't talked with McSwain. However, team sources say McSwain has been to Childress' shop within the past week.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-16-2004)

  • Fatback and Rudd back together? UPDATE 4 to RCR?: FoxSports Larry McReynolds, in his latest column mentions...."I bet it won't be long until we see him [Michael 'Fatback' McSwain] surface with a pretty good race team. I've even heard some rumblings — not to take anything away from Ben Leslie — but I've heard rumblings that he may reunite with [#21] Ricky Rudd. But that's strictly rumors and rumblings."(FoxSports)(7-25-2004)
    UPDATE: Crew chief Michael McSwain may not be on the sidelines long. McSwain, who had Ricky Rudd in the national-championship hunt a few years back and who had Bobby Labonte sixth in this year's standings when he was abruptly dropped by car owner Joe Gibbs last week, is getting a long, hard look from Jack Roush and could be joining the Roush camp soon, according to team sources. McSwain and Rudd split acrimoniously [bitter] two years ago, but there are reports the two could be getting back together. Roush yesterday didn't directly comment on the reports about hiring McSwain but indicated "there might be something there."(Winston Salem Journal)(7-26-2004)
    UPDATE 2: McSwain and Rudd to reunite? Garage insiders say that Michael "Fatback" McSwain may be taking over crew chief duties on the #21 Woods Brothers Ford with driver Ricky Rudd. McSwain and Rudd worked together on the #28 Robert Yates Racing Ford previous to both parties going their separate ways. Speculation is the change could come as early as next week.(Motorsport.com)(8-6-2004)
    UPDATE 3: Rumors swirl around the Motorcraft Ford team, with talk that Michael “Fatback” McSwain might be ready to take the reins as crew chief of the #21 Ford. It’s difficult to get a solid read on the story, given that no one affiliated with the team has much to say about the subject. “We had some success together,” said driver, Ricky Rudd when asked about the Fatback rumor. Team co-owner Len Wood, who clearly didn’t want to discuss the subject, would only add, “The driver has talked to him.”(Team Ford Racing)(8-9-2004)
    UPDATE 4: Crew chief Michael 'Fatback' McSwain appears to be out of the running for a job with Ricky Rudd and Wood Brothers Racing, but insiders say he could now be on the list of candidates for a job with Richard Childress.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-14-2004)

  • Rudd's Indy Trophy Damaged: Ricky Rudd said his Brickyard 400 trophy and other racing mementos were damaged when the basement in his home flooded recently. Rudd won the 1997 race. "I'm sure it can be rebuilt, but it's pretty sorry looking now," he said. "It's kind of crumbled in a few pieces."(Team Ford Racing)(8-7-2004)

  • Special Signature on #21 Hood: Ricky Rudd hopes his #21 Motorcraft Ford exits today's race at Pocono intact, because the hood is a collectible. The autograph on the car hood says Edsel Ford. Ford, great-grandson of Ford founder Henry Ford, toured several Ford shops. "Having Edsel Ford show up at your shop, especially with our history with Ford and having raced for over 50 years, it's almost just like having Henry himself walk in," team owner Eddie Wood said. Wood was in the car when he decided to ask Edsel to sign the hood. "We put a piece of plastic over [the autograph] because with the cleaners and stuff we use it might have been wiped away, but that hood will go in our museum in Stuart, Va.," Wood said. "That's a one-race hood right there."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution and see a story at Team Ford Racing site)(8-1-2004)

  • Here she comes...: This is a big week for the Wood family with three major events taking place. Car owner Eddie Wood's daughter, Jordan, competes in the Miss Virginia Pageant with the preliminary events beginning today in Roanoke and the finals Saturday night at the Roanoke Civic Center. The winner goes to the Miss America Pageant in September. Wood's son, Jon, competes in Friday's Craftsman Truck Series race at Milwaukee, where he has two top-10 finishes in three races there. Eddie Wood's team competes in the Cup race at Sonoma, Calif., with driver Ricky Rudd. "It's hard to be in three places at once," Eddie Wood said. "I've always tried to be at as many of Jon's races as I could, but this weekend could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Jordan. I wouldn't miss that for anything. It could be a big weekend for the Wood family if all three of us can win."(Roanoke Times)(6-23-2004)

  • Special Coca Cola Schemes at the Pepsi 400 UPDATE: interesting, hearing that eight drivers will run special Coca-Cola C2 [never flavor of coke, less sugar or something] schemes at Daytona in the July 3rd, 'Pepsi 400'. The drivers? #29-Harvick, #1-Andretti, #91-Elliott, #16-Biffle, #97-Busch, #99-Burton, #21-Rudd and #20-Stewart. See images of the #29 and #1 on my 2004 Cup Schemes page.(6-4-2004)
    ADDED: #16, #21, #97 and #99 Coca-Cola C2 to my 2004 Cup Schemes page.(6-5-2004)
    UPDATE: Bill Elliott has become a big player in the cola wars that will be fought at Daytona International Speedway next month. The July 3 Nextel Cup race is sponsored by Pepsi, but Atlanta-based Coca-Cola has chosen the event for a huge promotion of its new mid-calorie, reduced-carb beverage, Coca-Cola C2. Elliott, who hasn't raced in Cup since April 4 at Texas, will drive a Coke-sponsored #98 Dodge [not sure how this effects the #98 Ford team and who would get to use the number, they are listed at #198 for owners, and last I heard, #98 is held by Yates, assume Elliott would be owner #298]. Because his usual car owner Ray Evernham has a deal with Pepsi, Elliott will have to be his own car owner. He will lease the car from Evernham, and after a recent test at Daytona is confident of a strong run. "I'm looking forward to this," Elliott said Wednesday. "Coke's from Georgia and so am I, so for me this is a really neat deal." Seven other drivers will be carrying the C2 colors at Daytona, including #1-John Andretti, who like Elliott, is running a limited schedule this season. Elliott's return as a car owner actually will come this weekend at Michigan when he'll field an ARCA car for his dirt racing buddy, Ray Cook. "Ray's a good young driver and he's worked awfully hard at racing," Elliott said. "I'm just trying to open some doors for him and help him get some credibility."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) and see the #20 Home Depot/Coca-Cola image on my #20 Team Paint Scheme page.(6-17-2004)

  • #50 at Pocono for Rudd: #21-Ricky Rudd is expected to make his 50th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup start at Pocono Raceway, more than any other driver. Rudd has competed in all but the first three races at Pocono (1974-76). Rudd’s only Pocono victory occurred in June 2001 when he won there from the Bud Pole.(6-11-2004)

  • Ford Pushes Dodge; Burton disagrees: After his planned pit stop went awry when he spun on pit road, #12-Ryan Newman ran his tank dry with the extra mile he had to go to come back around for gas. He received some unexpected help from Ricky Rudd, who pushed him most of the way around with his #21 Ford. Once on pit road, one of Newman’s Penske Racing teammates, Brendan Gaughan, provided similar assistance. Driver #99-Jeff Burton, who like Rudd drives a Ford, criticized Rudd for assisting Newman, who drives a Dodge. Said Rudd: "He was out of gas. Our spotter said to push him. I didn’t think about it."(ThatsRacin.com)...kudos to Rudd and the spotter!(6-7-2004)

  • Rudd: Engine Good, Chassis Not: Ricky Rudd was the only driver using the next-generation Roush-Yates engine in the 600, and the results were mixed. The motor provided reliability and more power, but his #21 Air Force Ford couldn't match the performance. "The motor was good, but you've got to have a chassis that complements the motor," Rudd said. "We were bad in the corner, so we couldn't take advantage. This motor liked to go, but we were losing about 300 rpm more in the corner than we should have been."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(6-1-2004)

  • 3rd place for Rudd: With his start in the 2004 Coca-Cola 600, #21-Ricky Rudd is expected to make his 56th start at Lowe's Motor Speedway and moves into third behind Buddy Baker (57) and Richard Petty (64). Rudd has never won at LMS.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(5-27-2004)

  • Rudd Visits Pope Air Force Base: Ricky Rudd, driver of the #21 Motorcraft Racing/U.S. Air Force Ford Taurus observed a cargo drop over the Ft. Bragg North Carolina Army base on his way to participating in a 600 NEXTEL All-Star Race ticket give-away at Pope Air Force Base on Tuesday. “It was a real unusual day for me,” said Ricky. “We got to see how they drop cargo out of the back of one of these big airplanes. You see it on television, but you never experience it. It is a pretty neat deal with a lot of precision how they do it. It was a lot of fun.” Following the C-130 flight from Concord the plane, carrying Rudd and the U.S. Air Force crew, landed at Pope Air Force Base just outside Fayetteville, North Carolina. Pope is surrounded on three sides by Fort Bragg allowing a unique relationship between the two branches of the United States Armed Services. Following a tour of the base, Ricky went to the Pope Club where he was greeted by over 200 Airmen based at Pope. Ricky signed autographs and posed for photos while NEXTEL’s John Dunlap hand out 600 tickets to the NEXTEL All-Star event scheduled for May 22 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “Giving away the NEXTEL All-Star race tickets – that was a neat deal. It was really nice on NEXTEL’s part to donate all those tickets to the Air Force Base. There was a really good response. All of the Airmen really appreciated it. And, it gave me an opportunity to meet a lot of the guys and gals stationed at Pope. The Air Force has been such a great part of our race team, and I always enjoy having a chance to meet these men and women who are working so hard to protect our freedom. Ricky added, “It’ll be nice to have 600 of our associates at the NEXTEL All-Star race at Lowe’s in two weeks.”(Wood Brothers Racing Site)(5-13-2004)

  • Back to the Future REVISED scheme: A special paint scheme will launch a nationwide campaign to "Keep It Genuine", accentuating the importance of using genuine Ford and Lincoln Mercury Parts and Service to keep a vehicle performing at its best. The #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus will run the colors made famous by David Pearson during the 1970's at Texas Motor Speedway for the Samsung/Radio Shack 500 weekend. According to Eddie Wood and his Uncle Leonard, the Wood Brothers "genuine" look was developed in the mid-1960's to distinguish one team entry from another. On several occasions the Wood Brothers entered two or three cars in an event and used a combination of red and white paint schemes on the team cars. The crew chose the red top, white bottom and gold numbers as its primary paint scheme. Leonard Wood remembers that Cale Yarborough was the first Wood Brothers Racing driver to compete in those colors full-time, starting in 1967. The red, white and gold paint scheme went to victory lane 72 times with Yarborough, Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney, Donnie Allison, A.J. Foyt, Pearson, and Neil Bonnett behind the wheel between 1967 and 1982. "Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships are known for the genuine Motorcraft parts and quality service Ford customers have come to depend on," says Judi Moritz, the Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) Motorsports & Events Marketing Manager. "And what better way to launch the new FCSD "Keep It Genuine" campaign than to introduce it with a genuine Wood Brothers Racing paint scheme."
    The race at Texas precedes the national dealership introduction of the "Keep It Genuine" program on Monday, April 5. The "Keep It Genuine" initiative reinforces the importance of using genuine Ford and Lincoln Mercury Parts and Service to keep the vehicle performing at its best. Only Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships can provide factory-trained technicians and parts engineered specifically for the vehicle. By depending on the dealership to keep the vehicle genuine, owners can drive away with genuine peace of mind.(Motorcraft Racing PR), see the original image and the revised 'red' front image on my #21 Team Paint Schemes page.(3-26/4-1-2004)

  • Milestone for Rudd: Ricky Rudd, driver of the #21 Motorcraft Racing Taurus, will reach another milestone this weekend when he makes 810th-career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start to move ahead of Darrell Waltrip into sole possession of third place on the series' all-time list. Rudd, who made his Cup debut in 1975, trails only Richard Petty (1,185) and Dave Marcis (883).(Ford Racing)(3-31-2004)

  • Air Force's NASCAR connection thunders into Tyndall Air Force Base - Wood Brothers, Ricky Rudd bring pit stop challenge to base: Part of the Tyndall Air Force Base tarmac literally became a stock car racing pit road Jan.12 as one of NASCAR's most dominant race teams roared into "The Home of Air Dominance." The Wood Brothers' Racing team, including veteran driver Ricky Rudd, brought their No. 21 Motorcraft Racing/U.S. Air Force Ford Taurus race car to the base. The 700-horsepower car sported a predominantly blue paint scheme, complete with Air Force logos and aircraft. The team, which the Air Force will partly sponsor for a fourth-consecutive NASCAR season beginning next month, invited base members to take part in a pit stop challenge. Tyndall responded, fielding nine separate teams competing for fastest pit stop honors in front of hundreds of spectators.
    With the Air Education and Training Command Commanders' Conference already ongoing at Tyndall, the conferees were also invited to participate, fielding four teams of their own. Those four teams included senior leaders from Headquarters AETC, Air University, 19th Air Force and 2nd Air Force. For the commanders and Team Tyndall, it was a unique teambuilding event. When the high-octane exhaust and tire smoke cleared, Tyndall's 1st Aircraft Maintenance Unit clocked the fastest pit time. The six-person team, consisting of maintainers from various F-15 specialties, finished with a 19.7-second pit stop in which they changed two tires and simulated fueling the car. "I wasn't sure what to expect this morning, but after doing it, it makes me glad I joined the Air Force," said Senior Airman Jeffrey Wharton, a 1st AMU avionics specialist who assumed the role of tire changer for the winning team. Though he admitted he wasn't a converted NASCAR fan coming into the event, Airman Wharton added, "I think I'll definitely start watching it more, and I know who I'll start rooting for now," he said, glancing toward the No. 21 car parked nearby.
    "Teamwork is the foundation of a successful NASCAR pit crew, just as it is for an Air Force professional," said Brig. Gen. Larry New, 325th Fighter Wing commander. The general served as his own pit crew's jack man. "The experience I had today reinforces that belief for me. Events such as these help Air Force recruiting and retention efforts and build positive understanding."
    After receiving congratulations from Gen. Don Cook, AETC commander, the Wood Brothers' team presented the winners with a prize highly valued by fervent NASCAR fans everywhere - a souvenir part from a genuine race car. The hood came from a car Mr. Rudd drove at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was autographed by Mr. Rudd and the race team's owners, Eddie and Len Wood.
    During a break in the pit action, Mr. Rudd greeted spectators and signed hundreds of autographs for fans of all ages. Earlier in the day, the Chesapeake, Va., native, who typically races at speeds of 200 mph and faster, took a supersonic ride in a Tyndall F-15 flown by Lt. Col. Burt Dreher, 1st Fighter Squadron operations officer. Despite Mr. Rudd's 29 years of racing, a career that has included walking away from some of the sport's wildest multi-car crashes, he found the fighter cockpit surprisingly brutal.
    "I've got a tremendous amount of respect for the guys that fly these things," Mr. Rudd said moments after climbing down from the jet. "It gets so violent. You just can't comprehend how violent it is inside that airplane. As far as being scared, that really didn't bother me. My biggest goal was to try to keep from passing out and trying not to get sick.
    "I have a tremendous amount of respect for what the Air Force and all of the Armed Services do for us," Mr. Rudd continued. "I think a lot of the general population probably doesn't have the respect that maybe they should have, with the exception of what we've gone through in Iraq. I think the general public now is probably a lot more aware of what the military does for us."
    Eddie Wood said Air Force maintainers and his team's mechanics share many critical traits. "To me, the crews that work on the planes and the guys that work on the cars and build them are a lot alike," he said. "The mechanics have a specialized job that they do, and they do it well. And their teammates depend on them to do it correctly. Everybody knows that the job is done to the best of their ability and that creates a lot of camaraderie." "Having the Air Force as an associate on our car is really special to me, our family and the whole team," Mr. Wood continued. "We are all very proud of that association."(Tyndall Air Force Base PR)(2-4-2004)

  • Congrats to the Wood's: Jordan Wood, 17, daughter of Eddie and Carol Wood of Stuart, was chosen as Miss Martinsville-Henry County 2004 at the scholarship pageant Saturday. The Patrick County High School student will represent the area at the Miss Virginia event. Last year's Miss Martinsville-Henry County, Nancy Amanda Redd, left, who is also the reigning Miss Virginia, crowned Wood. Runners-up were: First runner-up Laura Linda Stokes, 18, daughter of James and Linda Stokes; second runner-up Kristen Muscatello, 18, daughter of Meredith and Cheryl Muscatello, and third runner-up Andrekka Lanier, 23, daughter of Larry and Alvenis Daye of Chatham. The Miss Martinsville-Henry County Scholarship Pageant was celebrating its 50th anniversary.(Martinsville Bulletin)(2-1-2004)

  • Wood Brothers in Mooresville: hearing the Wood Brothers team, #21-Ricky Rudd, has made the move from Stuart, VA, to Mooresville, NC.(1-4-2004)

    2003 News

  • Wood Brother's Move Delayed: It was reported last month the Wood Brothers Racing team had already begun moving from Stuart, Virginia to Mooresville, North Carolina…..but that was postponed when Robert Yates Racing was delayed in vacating the shop they are leasing to the Wood Brothers. Co-owner Len Wood says “We’ve not stopped work, just delayed the move. We’re shooting to move the cars and parts we’re working with next week, the week of Christmas. That week is kinda disrupted anyway, so we’ll do it then”.(PRN's Garage Pass)(12-16-2003)

  • Wood Brothers to Move? UPDATE After racing out of Stuart, Va., for more than 53 years, the [#21-Ricky Rudd] Wood Brothers Racing Team is considering moving its shop to the Charlotte area. "We're looking at a lot of options to make our race team better, and moving to the Charlotte area is definitely one of the things we'll have to look at," said Eddie Wood, who runs the team with his brother Len and sister Kim. "That's where everything is; all the technology is there." Wood said the family likely will make a decision by the end of the year. He also said the team would like to field two cars, but getting the #21 Motorcraft/Air Force/Rent-A-Center Ford back in Victory Lane on a regular basis is its first priority. "Whatever it takes to make our race team better, that's what we're going to do," he said. Even if the Woods move their shop to the Charlotte area, they'll still have a presence in Stuart, their home- town. "The museum and the business part will always be in Stuart even if the cars and the teams are somewhere else," he said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-20-2003)
    UPDATE: Wood Brothers Racing announced Wednesday it has found a building in Mooresville, N.C., and will begin moving out of its current shop in Stuart, Va., on Monday. The search for a new race shop took several months, but owners Eddie and Len Wood ended up with a familiar location. The team is moving into property owned by Robert Yates Racing in Lakeside Business Park. Ironically, Yates bought it from driver Ricky Rudd, who now drives the #21 Fords for the Wood Brothers in Winston Cup. "It was the first building we thought of way back in the middle of the summer when we first started talking about moving, but all the parties just never got together until a few days ago," Eddie Wood said. The #21 will continue to work on its 2004 cars in Stuart and its equipment when space becomes available. "Isn’t it funny how things come full circle sometimes. I think it is a great move," Rudd said. "I laid out the design of that shop, and we worked out of it not only when I had my own team, but then when I went with Robert. "A lot of good wins came out of that building. Maybe this will turn our luck around." The move will allow the #21 to work more closely with Roush Racing, which is based in Concord, N.C. Roush provides engines and chassis assistance for the #21. Wood Brothers Racing has been located in Stuart for 53 years. The business office and the family’s famed museum will remain at the current location.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-26-2003)

  • Wood Brother's team skips Pit Crew Competition: Twenty-four of the 25 teams eligible for the Union 76-Rockingham Pit Crew Competition have entered the event, scheduled for Saturday afternoon at North Carolina Speedway [the top 25 teams in Owners Points are eligible]. The #21 Wood Brothers Racing crew is the only group that did not enter the competition, after making a crew chief change this week with Roush Racing, which entered Mark Martin's crew, led by Pat Tryson.(NASCAR.com)(11-6-2003)

  • Hot Wheels and Roush Racing: Mattel and Roush Racing announced that the parties have extended their mass retail market die-cast through the 2006 race season. The agreement also includes exclusive rights to the Wood Brothers famed Number 21 program based out of Stuart, Virginia. Team owner Jack Roush, President of Roush Racing, Geoff Smith, Tony DaDante, Vice President / General Manager of Hot Wheels® Racing and NASCAR drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and current NASCAR points leader Matt Kenseth were in attendance for this special occasion. Hot Wheels cars thundered into the toy world in 1968. Nearly 35 years later, Hot Wheels is a global lifestyle brand and a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of vehicles, playsets and track sets. In addition to leading the way with speed, power and performance, Hot Wheels cars are also Cool Collectibles for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels® products, make a break on the information superhighway and cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.(Mattel PR) Also, see info about the Hot Wheel Hall of Fame in my Hall of Fame/Museums page.(11-4-2003)

  • Crew Chief Flip-Flop? UPDATE: MRN Radio race coverage reported early in the race at Phoenix that #6 Roush Racing crew chief Ben Leslie will take over the crew chief job at the #21 Wood Brother's team for driver Ricky Rudd and that #21 crew chief, Pat Tryson will assume the crew chief duties of the #6 team for driver Mark Martin, effective, Monday November 3rd.(MRN Radio Race Coverage)(11-2-2003)
    UPDATE: Roush Racing and Wood Brothers Racing announced today that they will switch crew chiefs on the No. 6 and No. 21 racing teams. Effective Monday morning Ben Leslie will become the crew chief of the No. 21 Motorcraft Racing Team with driver Ricky Rudd, while Pat Tryson will take over the crew chief duties for the No. 6 Viagra Racing Team with driver Mark Martin.(Ford Racing)(11-3-2003)

  • More on another Wood: Keven Wood, son of Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Len Wood, added another highlight to his blossoming career by winning the semipro division of the Legends Nationals on Saturday night at Southern National Speedway in Kenly, N.C. The 19-year-old, who also started and won his first race at the 0.4-mile track, qualified on the pole by beating out 58 drivers in his class. He led every lap of the main event, which his father watched after catching a last-minute flight to North Carolina from the airport adjacent to Atlanta Motor Speedway. Wood became the first rookie to win the Legends national championship in semi-pro this year, beating out 622 drivers from around the country.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-27-2003)

  • Martin helps out Rudd: Mark Martin, driver of the #6 Viagra Ford for Rosuh Racing, drove a few laps in the #21 Air Force car at Atlanta for Rciky Rudd to help get the handling correct and also said the car was way too loose as Rudd had reported. The #21 is woned by the Wood Brothers but is a Roush chassis and engine and gets engineering help from Roush.(TNT's Happy Hour Coverage)(10-25-2003)

  • #800 for Rudd: #21-Ricky Rudd is scheduled to make his 800th career Winston Cup start this weekend at Atlanta. Rudd is currently 4th all time in the number of Cup races run. First is Richard Petty at 1177, then Dave Marcis at 881 and Darrell Waltrip at 809, those three drivers are all retired. Right behind Rudd in 5th place is Terry Labonte who currently has 777 starts.(10-21-2003)

  • Another Wood: Keven Wood, son of Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Len Wood, made a splash in his entry into competitive auto racing this year. The 19-year-old became the first rookie to win the national championship in the Legends semi-pro division, beating out 622 drivers from around the country. Wood had raced in go-karts only twice before trying Legends. He needed a few months before earning his first top-five but closed the season on a roll. Wood sewed up the title by winning 15 of his final 20 races. He captured 32 victories at tracks scattered across six states. "They said once I learned how to win, it would get a lot easier, and it did," he said. He will move into a higher division next year and hopes to follow his first cousin, Jon, into the NASCAR touring ranks. Jon races in the Craftsman Truck Series. "I had no expectations of succeeding this well," said Wood, who is enrolled in a motorsports technology program at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville. "It's up to Dad, but I want to go as far as I can."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-11-2003)

  • Rudd Staying at the #21: Ricky Rudd doesn't know how the rumors started [not on Jayski], but he has every intention of finishing the remaining two years of his contract with Wood Brothers in the No. 21 Ford. "I've had several people approach me," Rudd says, "but I'm obligated to see this through." Team owner Eddie Wood has made several crew changes over the last month.(Sporting News/FoxSports)(9-30-2003)

  • No Rudd for Davis? Bill Davis is looking for a driver for 2004 [for the #22], but he denies reports he might be interested in Ricky Rudd.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-15-2003)

  • Harvick/Rudd Talk: Kevin Harvick and Ricky Rudd finally had a little talk on Saturday. The main participants in last week's late-race crash and post-race melee at Richmond spent about three minutes talking, apparently amicably, while leaning on a pile of tires in the garage area at New Hampshire International Speedway. Winston Cup president Mike Helton stood nearby, listening, but didn't join the conversation. "It was just time," Rudd said. "We needed a couple of words with each other. Having Mike standing there, I guess, didn't hurt." Neither Harvick nor Helton were available to comment.(Charlotte Observer/AP)(9-14-2003)

  • #21 team working on car to ready it for NHIS: It didn’t take long for the Wood Brothers Race team to get a handle on the damage done to the #21-Motorcraft Ford following Saturday night’s Rock and Roll 400. The damage, while limited to small areas of the car, will require repair in the body shop. TFR spoke with Len Wood Sunday afternoon and learned that the hood and cowl needed to be replaced and that the right, front fender needed repair before the car could be prepared for the upcoming New Hampshire International Speedway event. The damage, which Wood described as “no big deal,” was incurred when team members from Kevin Harvick’s team decided that the Motorcraft Ford would make a better doormat than race car. “It didn’t need to happen,” said Wood, disappointment clear in his voice, “What happened after the race didn't need to happen.” Wood said the car was getting attention Sunday and would go to the body shop Monday. He hoped to have it back in the shop Tuesday morning so he could have it ready to leave for the long trip to New Hampshire. Not letting the post-race folly take away from his team’s accomplishment Wood remained happy with the on-track results. “We were catching the leader at the end of the race,” said Wood. “I’m not saying we had anything for him [Ryan Newman], but we were closing the distance to him. We were coming on strong right there at the end. That’s what’s more important.” After thinking a moment, Wood added, “It's unfortunate. In this day and time there's more expected from us than that. This is a major sport with major TV coverage and we just don’t need to be doing stuff like that.”(Ford Racing)(9-9-2003)

  • RIR Penalties Announced: Driver Kevin Harvick, along with five Richard Childress Racing crew members from the No. 29 team, and Pat Tryson, crew chief for Ricky Rudd, received a varying range of penalties for their involvement in an altercation following Saturday evening's NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR officials announced Monday.
    Harvick, driver of the #29 GM Goodwrench/Sugar Ray Rock and Roll Chevy, was fined $35,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31 for his role in the post-race incident. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Hitting another competitor's car on pit road after the completion of the race, use of improper language) of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book.
    Todd Berrier, Harvick's crew chief, was fined $10,000 for violation of Sections 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 9-4-A (The crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his or her driver, car owner and team members).
    #29-Crew member Mike Scearce was suspended from NASCAR competition until Sept. 17 [misses one race], placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $5,000. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, damaging another competitor's car following the completion of the race, use of improper language).
    #29-Crew member Gene Pasquale was suspended from NASCAR competition until Sept. 17 [misses one race], placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, throwing an object at another competitor, use of improper language).
    #29 Crew member Kirk Almquist was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, use of improper language).
    #29-Crew member Ken Barber was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, throwing an object at another competitor, improper use of language).
    Tryson, crew chief for Rudd's No. 21 Ford, was issued a $5,000 fine for use of improper language, which is in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing).(NASCAR PR)(9-9-2003)

  • #21 testing at AMS UPDATE 2 Jarrett testing a 2004 Ford NOT REPLACING RUDD in the #21: on Wednesday, August 13th, the #21 Wood Brothers team and driver Ricky Rudd are scheduled to test at Atlanta Motor Speedway which is closed to public.(AMS PR)(8-12-2003)
    Jarrett to test 2004 Ford at AMS on Wed: Ford Racing will conduct a one-day test session Wednesday, August 13, at Atlanta Motor Speedway to test the 2004 Ford Taurus with NASCAR Winston Cup driver Dale Jarrett. Ford officials originally expected Ricky Rudd to test the car but announced the substitution this week for the new Ford, built by the Wood Brothers. The test session will be closed to the public and to the media.(AMS PR)(8-12-2003)
    NOTE: some folks are reading this a Jarrett replacing Rudd in the #21 - NO, NO, NO - it doesn't say that.....The Wood Brothers built the 2004 Ford [just as they did with the Taurus when it first was tested]. Rudd ended up not being able to test the car, so Jarrett was recruited, that is all. Rudd will be in the #21 in 2004 and Jarrett will be in the #88 in 2004.(8-13-2003)
    UPDATE 2: The 2004 Ford Racing Taurus participated in a test session at Atlanta Motor Speedway today, and when it was over, Ford Racing officials were very happy. "It went extremely well and pretty much according to plan," said Greg Specht, Manager, North American Racing Operations, Ford Racing Technology. "And we're very pleased that we got the track test out of the way." The 2004 Ford Racing Taurus was built by the Wood Brothers and was driven in the test by 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett, who also was pleased by the test. "Everything went well," said Jarrett. "The car seems to be very well balanced. They did a really good job of building the car. It looks really nice, the lines on it are good, and it did things on the race track that we think will help us to be more competitive even for next year." Specht said today's test with the 2004 Taurus was truly a team effort, involving Wood Brothers Racing, Robert Yates Racing and Roush Racing. "I'd like to thank the Woods for allowing Dale Jarrett in their car in place of Ricky Rudd, who had a previous commitment and couldn't be here today," said Specht. "This is a great sign of cooperation between our top NASCAR teams. We had all three of our partners represented at the test here today: Dale, being the driver from Robert Yates Racing; obviously, the Wood Brothers built and brought the car here; and, we got engineering support from Roush Racing. I think that's important as well." Jarrett said the 2004 Ford Racing Taurus seemed to have improved downforce over the current model. "I can see where the car has potential when you get it in race trim," said Jarrett. "Something the Fords fight, and that's a little more front downforce, and it seems like this car may have that without creating a lot of drag. And I think that's something that we were interested in: Could we make something that was good for us still on the straightaways, but get us through the corners a little bit, too?" The on-track test consisted of a series of multi-lap runs. "They wanted to run over 10 laps at a time, and so we went out and did that, and they were looking at times," said Jarrett. "They had a certain time that they wanted to see, and I didn't even know how many laps I was going to be running, I just ran until they told me to come in, that the NASCAR folks were satisfied that that's what they were looking for." The 2004 Taurus was tested later in the day with NASCAR at the windtunnel at Lockheed in Marietta, Ga.(Ford Racing PR), see my Ford Past News page for images of the 2004 Ford.(8-13-2003)
    See two images of the test at the Ford Racing site.(8-14-2003)

  • 20 USAF Recruits to be sworn in: The Air Force will have a special paint scheme on Ricky Rudd's #21 Motorcraft Ford Taurus for a special occasion. Before the race, Gen. John W. Handy, who heads the U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, will officially swear in 20-plus Air Force recruits [Jayski remembers when he got sworn in, Philly in a hot room - this sounds like more fun]. Four F-16 fighter jets from the 174th Air National Guard Fighter Wing in nearby Syracuse, N.Y., will do a flyover to mark the occasion. Rudd, who qualified 26th, has 25 top-five finishes in 48 road-course races, more than any driver in NASCAR history. He has two wins and eight top-five finishes at Watkins Glen and won the pole last year.(ESPN/AP)(8-10-2003)

  • Roush, Yates and Wood Bros re-up with Ford: Ford Racing officials on Friday announced they had signed new, five-year contract extensions with three of the top Ford teams in Winston Cup - Robert Yates Racing, Roush Racing and Wood Brothers Racing. Together, the organizations field eight Cup teams each weekend and include such drivers as 1999 champion Dale Jarrett, current series leader Matt Kenseth and veterans Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd, among others. "Loyalty is something that we just take extremely seriously at Ford," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing. "We like to reward loyalty and these three organizations have been so loyal to us that I felt it was important for Ford and Ford Racing to demonstrate our loyalty to them. We've picked our dance partner and for Ford Motor Co. and NASCAR, these are our dance partners." These organizations were also instrumental in the development of the 2004 Ford Taurus, which will be officially submitted to NASCAR this week for competition beginning next season. "The kind of commitment that need to made for research and development and pooling of information and for the development of strategies can't be made on an ad hoc basis," said team owner Jack Roush. They can't be made annually. They almost have to me made with a decade in mind, and this certainly is moving in the right direction."()(8-1-2003)

  • Prior to his record-setting 700th-consecutive NASCAR Winston Cup start at Pocono Raceway Sunday, Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft Taurus, received a letter of congratulation from President George W. Bush. The letter to Rudd is as follows:
    July 25, 2003
    Mr. Ricky Rudd
    Concord, North Carolina
    Dear Ricky:
    Congratulations on your 700th consecutive NASCAR Winston Cup start. I join your family, friends, and race fans everywhere in recognizing this unparalleled accomplishment. In reaching this milestone, you have compiled an outstanding record of achievement. You have demonstrated skill, endurance, and determination over almost three decades, establishing yourself as one of the greatest stock car drivers in history. I applaud your hard work and commitment to excellence. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for continued success.
    Sincerely,
    George W. Bush
    (Ford Racing PR)(7-30-2003)

  • New Assoc Sponsor for Rudd and the #21 UPDATE: As if the celebration surrounding Rudd’s 700th career start wasn’t enough for the Wood Brothers, broadening the smile is the addition of a new associate sponsor to the famed race team’s effort, Team Ford Racing has learned that beginning with the Brickyard 400 that the Motorcraft Ford will sport an associate sponsorship from Rent-A-Center.(Ford Racing)
    AND jayski has been told by a source, that Rent-A-Center may be the primary sponsor for a race or two later in the season.(7-27-2003)
    UPDATE: Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCII), the nations largest rent-to-own company, will become an associate sponsor of the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Motorcraft Taurus, following the signing of a multi-year agreement that was announced today by team officials. Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, TX, currently operates more than 2,500 company-owned stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. The stores generally offer high-quality, durable goods such as home electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories to consumers under flexible rental purchase agreements that generally allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed-upon rental period. "We are so pleased that Rent-A-Center has decided to join the Motorcraft/U.S. Air Force team, stated Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing. "With their paint scheme on the car for the Brickyard 400 it is a great opportunity for Rent-A-Center to showcase its service to a vast new audience. The Brickyard 400 is certainly one of the biggest events on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, and we are happy that we could start our new association at this race." The distinctive Rent-A-Center graphics will take a prominent position on the #21 Ford Taurus, both on the rear deck lid and on the rear quarter-panel area at the rest of the races this season. See www.rentacenter.com for more info on the company.(Ford Racing PR)
    AND hearing the 2nd race with the Rent-A-Center scheme could be at Watkins Glen AND also hearing they may be the new primary sponsor of the #21 and Rudd in 2004.(7-28-2003)
    UPDATE 2: Motorcraft is signed with the #21 Wood Brothers team thru 2005 with an option for 2006 and beyond. The deal with Rent-A-Center is like the Air Force sponsorship, a major associate and run a few races as the primary.(7-30-2003)
  • Air Force Honors Rudd's 700th: As the primary associate advertiser on the #21 Motorcraft Ford Taurus, the Air Force will honor, Ricky Rudd on Sunday, July 27 as he starts his 700th consecutive NASCAR race. Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander, Air Education and Training Command, will present Rudd with a framed collection of coins, one from each of the 13 Air Force four-star generals, plus the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Air Force. After the singing of God Bless America, a formation of four A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft from the 111th Fighter Wing, Willow Grove, PA will fly over the track. As an additional salute to Rudd's 700th consecutive start, a flyover after the national anthem will be performed by the Spirit of Florida, a B-2 Stealth Bomber, whose actual aircraft number is 92-0700.(Wood Borthers Site), see an image of the special scheme Rudd will run at Pocono at the Wood Brothers site.(7-23-2003)

  • Some Rudd Facts - 700th UPDATE special scheme by son: Ricky Rudd driver of the #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus will make his 700th Consecutive Start at Pocono Raceway on July 27th. Rudd began his consecutive-race streak at Riverside International Speedway on January 11, 1981, where he started 3rd and finished 19th. It was his 88th career start, dating back to March 2, 1975 at North Carolina Speedway where in his first career Winston Cup race he started 26th and finished 11th. Rudd's consecutive start streak will extend to 700 at Pocono Raceway on July 27 for the Pennsylvania 500 - Ricky's 787th Winston Cup career start. Rusty Wallace is second with 608 consecutive starts. Pocono will be Wallace's 609th consecutive start - over two and one third seasons behind Ricky. Rudd won his first career NASCAR Winston Cup race at Riverside in 1983 driving for Richard Childress Racing. It was his 161st career start. Rudd's two biggest possibilities of the streak ending came in 1984 when he flipped violently while running in the Busch Clash at Daytona and in 1988 when he wrecked while competing in The Winston. Rudd has amassed 23 wins, 189 top fives and 358 top tens during his career.. He also has collected 28 pole positions and won over $30 million. Rudd is 24th on the NASCAR Winston Cup all-time win list and 11th on the NASCAR Winston Cup all-time pole list. During his 700 consecutive start streak, Ricky has finished in the top-10 46 percent of the races and during his career 45.6 percent of the races. Rudd has finished inside the top-10 in points 19 times since 1981. Total, Rudd has acquired 787 career starts (including the Pocono 500), placing him fourth all time behind NASCAR legends Richard Petty (1,177), Dave Marcis (882) and Darrell Waltrip (809). Rudd is one of 25 drivers to total 500 or more starts in their NASCAR Winston Cup careers. Only two other drivers, currently competing on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, have a career total of more than 700 starts - Terry Labonte (765 through Pocono) and Bill Elliott (715 through Pocono). Rudd surpassed Terry Labonte's record of 655 consecutive starts that ran from January of 1979 to August of 2000 at the 2002 Coca-Cola 600 when he made his 656th Winston Cup start. During his career, Rudd has competed in NASCAR Winston Cup events at 28 different racetracks around the country and won at 14.. He ran at least one race at each of those tracks during the streak, except Ontario Motor Speedway. Rudd was the NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year in 1977. Rudd is one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.(Motorcraft Racing PR), see Ford Racing: Rudd Recaps Career on Way to 700; plus from the Wood Brothers Racing site: Baseball Ironman Ripken Among Those Praising Racing Ironman Rudd.(7-22-2003)
    UPDATE: In honor of the occasion team sponsor Motorcraft commissioned an artist to create a special paint scheme for this weekend’s race. The predominately yellow, green and red design, highlighted with flames and a blue speed streak on the hood of the Taurus, came from the eight-year-old imagination of Ricky’s son Landon. The car will be shown on FSN's “Totally NASCAR” Wednesday night.(Wood Brothers Racing site); and see an image of the car at the Wood Brothers site - photos.(7-23-2003)

  • Rudd tests at VIR: #21-Ricky Rudd tested at Virginia International Speedway on Tuesday in preparation for the Aug race at Watkins Glen, Rudd will dirve a special Air Force scheme there.(Wood Bros Racing site)(7-23-2003)

  • Rudd Consecutive Race Streak scheme: #21-Ricky Rudd is scheduled to run a special paint scheme for his 700th Consecutive Winston Cup Start at Pocono Raceway. The secret paint scheme is 'supposedly' not to be unveiled until the day of the race. See an image of the logo on my Paint Scheme Gallery - Cup page 1.(7-9-2003)

  • Rudd Voted Best Race: More than 3,000 fans recently went to Richmond International Raceway's Web site and voted for the best race in its 50-year history. Their choices: September 1972, when Richard Petty rallied to win after a Bobby Allison bump sent him atop the guardrail; February '86, when Kyle Petty won after Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt crashed late; September '91, when Harry Gant won the first night race in the track's modern history; or September 2001, when Ricky Rudd won with a late-race bump-and-run pass of Kevin Harvick. The winner, with more than half the votes, was Rudd's victory two years ago. Kyle Petty's victory got the second-most votes, with Gant's victory third and Richard Petty's fourth.(Daily Press)(5-4-2003)

  • Rudd, Elliott to be honored: On Sunday, Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott will be presented with personalized belt buckles commemorating their first Winston Cup victory 20 years ago at Riverside International Raceway. California Speedway executive Les Richter was general manager at RIR at the time before joining NASCAR.(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)(4-25-2003)

  • Wood Brother's New Engineer: In another sign of the increasing impact of technology and physics on NASCAR, #21 Wood Brothers Racing welcomed its first full-time engineer this weekend. Jackie Mohrfeld, a 24-year-old mechanical engineering graduate of Purdue University, will help the Stuart, VA -based team by crunching numbers and running computer simulations on race weekends for the remainder of the season.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-13-2003)

  • Tryson fined: NASCAR officials announced Wednesday that Pat Tryson, crew chief for the #21 Wood Brothers Ford, has been fined $10,000 for rule violations on April 5 during practice for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #21, driven by Ricky Rudd, was in violation of Section 12-4-A in the NASCAR Winston Cup rule book (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-W (improperly attached weight). As the #21 was preparing to go onto the race track, the improperly attached weight fell off the car. On Saturday afternoon, a 35-lb. lead block, scuffed and deformed on one end and tagged with the #21, sat on the inside counter of the Winston Cup office trailer with several other confiscated parts, including two sheared driveshafts.(NASCAR.com)(4-9-2003)

  • Rudd and Wood Brothers tour Nellis Air Force Base: Ricky Rudd, and Eddie and Len Wood were guests of the United States Air Force Thursday afternoon at Nellis Air Force Base just north of Las Vegas, NV. While at the base, the three toured an F/A-22 Raptor aircraft housed at Nellis for the purpose of training service personnel who will service the airplane once it becomes part of the U.S. military arsenal of fighting equipment. This plane incorporates the newest in cutting edge technology, with stealth and supercruise abilities that are a critical component of America's Global Strike Task Force. See full story and quotes at the Wood Brothers Racing site.()(2-28-2003)

  • #21 Tractor? and a #50 tractor.....in the Navy: A tow tractor painted as a replica of professional race driver Ricky Rudd's race car: At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) -- Capt Kendall Card (center), Commanding Officer, along with Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Chris Elmore (far left) from Salt Lake City, Uah, Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Noe Munoz (kneeling left) from Van Nuys, Calif., Aviation Support Equipment Technicians 2nd Class Jason Eslinger (center left) from Keizer, Ore., Gary Jaeckin (center right) from Norwalk, Ohion, George Matthies (right) from Oakland, Calif., and Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Mario Maciasplaza (kneeling right) from Los Angeles, Calif., are shown here displaying their tribute to NASCAR; a tow tractor painted as a replica of driver Ricky Rudd's #21 race car. Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are conducting operations in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Daniel C. Johnson.(see image at the Navy Newstand.(2-21-2003)
    and #50 too: At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Dec. 19, 2002 -- Jon Wood, professional driver of the Wood Brothers, Roush Racing F-150 racing truck, sits in the driver's seat of a "souped-up" support equipment tractor rebuilt by the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Division Four (IM4) Sailors. IM4 Sailors stand behind Wood and their tractor. The Norfolk, Va.-based carrier is returning home from a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Janice Kreischer.(see image at the Navy Newstand.(2-22-2003)

  • The Military and NASCAR: While the Army has the broadest, deepest and most expensive program, each of the services will spend at least $1.5 million and all will dispatch show cars to make stops at schools from Bangor to Bakersfield.
    The rundown:
    The Air Force will put about $2.25 million into an associate sponsorship with a Winston Cup team. That will buy placement on the rear corners of a car driven by popular veteran #21-Ricky Rudd throughout the 38-week season, along with a primary position for three races.
    The Marine Corps will spend about $2.25 million as primary sponsor of a team in the Busch Series [#25 Bobby Hamilton], where it has found fertile recruiting ground since 1999.
    The Navy will spend about $1.5 million as a primary sponsor of a Roush Racing team in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck series [#50 Jon Wood]. Its sponsorship differs slightly from the others in that it is funded mostly from a retention budget, rather than a recruiting budget.
    The Army National Guard will sponsor a Winston Cup entry, putting its colors on a [#54] car driven by Todd Bodine. The Guard would not discuss its spending, but industry insiders estimated it was one of the lower team deals in Winston Cup, likely worth $5 million to $6 million for the season.
    Together, the armed forces will spend about $28 million in the sport this year. All have similar goals: raising awareness, generating recruiting leads and retaining those already in uniform. The resources allocated to achieve those goals are substantial. The service branches will spend about $600 million on advertising this year, with much of it paying for time during network sporting events and other programming that draws young male viewers. The four active branches together must sign up about 200,000 recruits this year, more hires than any U.S. industry. Together, the active and reserve branches of the armed forces will spend $1.4 billion on recruiting, advertising and examining this year, according to Defense Department budgets.(see full story at the Business Journal). Also, not mentioned, the Civil Air Patrol sponsors the #46 BGN car of Ashton Lewis, no idea what they spend.(2-18-2003)

  • Special Scheme for the #21 at the Shootout: This year marks a very significant anniversary in the history of Ford Motor Company. The Dearborn, Michigan manufacturer is 100 years old. In honor of the occasion, the #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus will carry a special paint scheme for the 2003 edition of the Budweiser Shootout. The car will be seen for the first time at the Winston Preview in Winston-Salem, NC. [see images on my Paint Scheme Gallery]. The design was created to promote and celebrate Ford Motor Company's 100th anniversary. The #21 Wood Brothers Racing Motorcraft Taurus will feature a primarily silver paint scheme that incorporates the Ford 100-year logo and colorful arrays of centennial fireworks. Ford Motor Company was founded on June 16, 1903, and centennial festivities at the Henry Ford II World Center in Dearborn, Mich., take place June 12-16, 2003. More info on the centennial at www.celebrateford100.com.(Motorcraft Racing PR)(1-31-2003)

    2002 News

  • Air Force Schemes for the #21: hearing that the #21 Wood Brothers Ford with Ricky Rudd driving will have three Air Force Primary paint schemes in 2003. They will run at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May, Watkins Glen in August and Dover in September.(12-26-2002)

  • #21 looking for crew members: The #21 Wood Brothers team need a new rear tire changer and tire carrier because Jay Guaneri and Troy Prince have joined Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew for 2003.(Sporting News)(12-2-2002)

  • Rudd tests the #21 at Kentucky: Ricky Rudd became more acquainted with the Wood Bros. team by shaking down his new #21 Motorcraft Ford during a one-day test at Kentucky Speedway. The team battled temperatures in the low 30s and snow flurries to get a head start on working under the new NASCAR Winston Cup Series rules for the 2003 season. "This is only the third time we've tested together as a team, so we're trying to get used to each other," Rudd said. "We're having a pretty good test, it's just that the snow isn't cooperating. It's kind of a ˜shake down" cruise. We're here with some of the cars built for the new rules." Rudd, who tested at Kentucky last month with a 2002 machine, said he's quickly adjusting to changes in the car's performance. "(The new rules) pretty much require that all the race teams cut the bodies off their existing race cars and put on new bodies. It's not a 10-minute deal, it's about a two- to three-week process and it's pretty involved. This car has been in the wind tunnel with the old body and been back with the new one, so we pretty much know what to expect. There's some trial and error involved, but a lot of it is reading the data and doing what the data says we need to do," he said. He also stated that NASCAR's reduction in the number of times teams can test at Winston Cup tracks has made Kentucky Speedway a valuable preseason research tool.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(11-27-2002)

  • Three Paintings of Motorcraft Ford to be Presented at Air Force Art Program: This Friday, October 18, 2002, Eddie Wood and his wife, Carol, and Len Wood, and his wife Nancy, will leave Martinsville Speedway after practice, and fly to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., to have dinner with a number of generals and high-ranking officers of the United States Air Force. The Wood's are co-owners of the #21 Motorscraft/Air Force Ford. Following the reception and dinner the Woods' hosts will receive some 150 paintings representing various activities involving the men and women of the American armed forces. At least three of these pieces of art portray the famed #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus. The United States Air Force became an associate sponsor with the race team at the beginning of the 2001 season and uses the team's Winston Cup race program as a key ingredient in current recruiting and retention efforts at race tracks, schools and recruiting offices nationwide. The Air Force logo is prominently displayed on the car each week, and at two races this year the Wood Brothers Taurus carried an Air Force paint scheme. "We are so very proud of our association with the U.S. Air Force," said Len Wood. "It has given us such a great opportunity to get to know so many of this elite group of men and women. We have visited Air Force bases all over the United States, seen the planes that defend this country and met the people who fly them and take care of them. And almost every race we get to host recruiters and the pilots and crews of the planes that do the flybys for that event. And we hope that this association is helping in the recruitment of talented young men and women in this country to join the Armed Forces to defend all of our freedoms. I cannot begin to tell you how proud this whole team is to be represented at the 2002 Air Force Art Program. We understand that the paintings from this year's program will be distributed to various Air Force locations for display throughout the country, including the Pentagon. This is such an honor." The three paintings that will be given to the Air Force Art Program on Friday evening were created by artists Lee Bivens, Lori Crane and Michael Goettner over the past two seasons, and portray the 21 Ford Taurus in both the Motorcraft Racing and Air Force paint schemes.(Wood Bros/Ford Racing PR)(10-16-2002)

  • Rudd/Sadler switch coming soon after all? during TNT coverage of the MBNA All-American Heroes 400 at Dover, Bill Weber said that the #21 Wood Brothers with Elliott Sadler (who is going to Yates in 2003) and the #28 Robert Yates Racing team with Rick Rudd (who is going to the Wood Brothers in 2003) are may be switching teams sooner and are talking about making the switch.(9-22-2002)

  • Air Force Scheme at Dover and crew changed a C-5 tire: The Air Force will be the primary sponsor of Elliott Sadler's #21 Ford during this week-end's events at Dover International Speedway. The branch served as the primary sponsor during the Coca-Cola 600 in May and has a smaller sponsor-ship during the other Cup races. Besides sponsoring the #21 Ford, the Air Force sets up recruitment booths at NASCAR tracks and conducts a fly-over on race day. Len Wood, a co-owner of the car with his brother Eddie, said his team's relationship with the Air Force has a special quality. He and Eddie have taken rides in fighter jets, he said. Members of the #21 pit crew, who will don flight suits instead of their usual uniforms Sunday, and maintenance troops at Dover Air Force Base traded places Thursday. The pit crew taught the troops how to handle a two-tire pit stop on the car and the troops showed crew members how to do a pit stop on a C-5 cargo plane [what Jayski used to work on when stationed at Dover in 82-85] - refueling, changing tires and climbing a tall stair-case to wash the windshield. Maintenance troops completed their NASCAR-style pit stop in 18 seconds. "It's a whole different world," Airman 1st Class Alleem Humber said about the difference between work-ing on a large cargo carrier and a Winston Cup car. Airman Humber said the power tools used on race cars are not suitable for the C-5s because the plane is too delicate. Instead of using gas cans to refuel, the C-5 needs a tanker to pump gasoline into it. Mike Smith, the #21's car chief, said working the C-5 had some similarities to a car, such as having to use a jack to change the tire, but not many. Mr. Smith and the rest of the #21 crew completed their plane pit stop in about 90 seconds. The Air Force also sponsors the #34 Chevy in the BGN driven bt Steve Grissom.(Dover Newszap)(9-20-2002)


    The #21 Air Force/Motorcraft Ford and a C-5B at Dover AFB, photo by Jason Minto of Dover Newszap


  • Sadler/Rudd both test the #21 at Kentucky: Wood Bros. Racing became the first NASCAR Winston Cup team to test at Kentucky under its new agreement with Ford Racing that allows any of the manufacturer's sanctioned race teams exclusive access to the 1.5-mile tri-oval each Tuesday through 2004. Wood Bros. tested two new chassis on Sept. 10 with its 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Driver Ricky Rudd and also worked on race set-ups that will benefit current driver Elliot Sadler. "We're testing with Ricky Rudd to find out what kind of chassis he likes, Wood Bros. Owner Len Wood said. œOne car is brand new and one has a couple races under it, but they're different styles. We'll have new rules on the body next year so we're talking about building a lot of new cars so we wanted an idea to try to get a jump start. Next year will be a little different because they're (NASCAR) going to more common templates for the cars. Each will have their own noses and tails and side glass, but the contours of the hood, roof and back glass will basically be the same. The main change for next year is the body location (on the chassis). The Daytona cars the body will move forward for better aerodynamics and less drag, and it will be the opposite when you go to the speedways. The shorter the track, the farther back you would put it (the body)." Wood also commented on the unique situation of testing a new driver for the 2003 season while preparing to finish the current season with a different driver. "It's a new situation for us," Wood said. "Our race team was kind of ˜spun out" and shocked when Elliot asked out (of his contract) early in the season. We tried to put that behind us and focus on racing because we still have to keep going 100 percent for Elliot Sadler. We may be back here in a week or so with Elliot to try to figure something out. We're not giving up on him at all, but we decided to use this opportunity to test Ricky for next year."(Kentucky Speedway PR)(9-12-2002)

  • Rudd to test the #21: Ricky Rudd will test with the Wood Brothers on Tuesday at Kentucky Speedway. Co-owner Len Wood says the one-day test session is mainly to find out what type of chassis Rudd prefers so the team can begin building cars for him next season. Rudd also will test a new car the team has built that current driver Elliott Sadler may race later this season.(Roanoke Times)(9-8-2002)

  • Reverse Pit Stop: On Sep. 19, 2002, Air Mobility Command and Dover Air Force Base [where Jayski used to be stationed] will conduct a “Reverse Pit Stop” with the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Team. Events will begin at 2:30 pm, on the Base flight line where the Air Force will display the tremendous capabilities of the C-5 aircraft. The Air Force and Wood Brothers will be demonstrating and comparing the similarities between a NASCAR and an Air Force “pit stop.” The opening will show the enormous capacity of the C-5. Then the #21 “gas man” will fuel the C-5 as an Air Force maintainer fuels the #21. A #21 pit crew will climb the maintenance stand to wash the C-5 windows as the Air Force maintainer cleans the grill and windshield of the #21. Following that will be C-5 and #21 oil checks and tire changes and when both vehicles fail to start, they may have to be pushed. #21 driver Elliott Sadler and the Wood Brothers will be in the cockpit of the C-5, while Air Force maintenance folks take a spin in the #21. There might even be some “pit stop” competition and the end of the demonstrations. Participating in the Pit Stop for the Air Force will be Air Mobility Command’s and Dover’s best C-5 maintenance people. Participating for NASCAR will be the legendary Wood Brothers #21 Racing Team, including driver Elliott Sadler.(Wood Bros Site)(9-5-2002)

  • Sadlers top 20's mean donation: Emporia, VA natives Hermie and Elliott Sadler have another reason to perform well for a hometown crowd in the Monte Carlo 400. Richmond resident Fain Peebles, who owns Peebles Golf Car Sales, has promised a substantial donation to the Faison School for Autism in Richmond if the Sadler brothers both finish in the top 20 on Saturday night. Hermie Sadler's daughter, Halie Dru, attends the Faison School.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-4-2002)

  • Sadler spends time with Jarrett at RIR: Elliott Sadler never made a lap during a NASCAR test session at Richmond on Wednesday, but Sadler spent the day soakingup information from Dale Jarrett, his teammate next year at Robert Yates Racing, and Michael "Fatback" McSwain, his future crew chief. McSwain normally heads up the #28 driven by Ricky Rudd but called the shots yesterday on Jarrett's No. 88 Ford while Jarrett's crew chief, Todd Parrott, remained at the team's North Carolina shop. Sadler will test at Kentucky Speedway with his new team before the end of the season. Jarrett, turned laps yesterday with Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and several others. Also, Ernie Irvan, who retired in 1999, returned to the 0.75-mile oval where he won two Winston Cup races. Irvan provided pointers to Michael Vergers, a Holland native who is trying to break into the BGN [with Irvan's old team MB2].(Richmond Times Dispatch)(8-28-2002)

  • Some Rudd Transcript Notes on his new ride:
    Q: Is There Any Chance You And Elliott Could Swap Rides Before The End Of The Year, If You Fall Out Of The Championship Race? A: "Wow, that’s a good one. I don’t know, I guess I’ve got to look at that. That’s something to think about, I guess. I would like to go out there and do some testing and get ready for next year. I’d like to work on that now, but I’m not really sure what our agreements will let us do and not do, even if I don’t drive the cars, believe me, the conversations will be going on."
    Q: How Much Did Motorcraft Step Up And Did Ford Kick In A Little Extra? A: "Let me just say from where I’m coming from, and I’m not gonna get into details, but all the car owners I talked with, we never got into, ’I want this.’ I just wanted fair compensation. I didn’t ask for Winston Cup championship driver’s salary. I didn’t ask for top-three driver salary or even probably top-five. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not cheap and I want all I can get, but I’m not sure exactly what went on with Eddie and the sponsorship requirements."
    Q: Is This A Three-Year Commitment For You To Drive The Car? A: "I don’t know how much these guys want to talk about the nuts and bolts about the contract, but it’s a three-year contract and I guess you’re asking if there are any escape routes, is it gonna be a one-year or a half-a-year. I’m committed to the Wood Brothers and I guess I’m gonna leave it at that. I’m committed to three years I hope. I guess if they’ve got to kick me out of the seat, I’m not doing my job, I’ll be there for three years. If I’m not doing the job and I’m holding this team back, I’ll be the first to step aside."
    Q: How Close Were You To Signing With Someone Else Like Chip Ganassi? A: "Chip and I had talked — not only Chip, but I talked to many different teams. With Chip Ganassi, that’s a fine operation. Chip’s a winner. He’s been a winner in every sport he’s been in and he’s winning in Winston Cup. He’s obviously leading the Winston Cup championship right now, so that’s a very strong effort that he puts on a race track week in and week out. Chip and I simply couldn’t come to final terms, and believe me we tried. There was a couple of weeks of negotiations that went on and, contrary to what you might believe, it wasn’t over money and it wasn’t because I gave Chip a right hook in his office one day. Just to lay that to rest, Chip and I — for your information — have never met in his office. We’ve never had a harsh word. We just simply could not agree on terms. There were several toss ups there and you go back and you’ve got to align yourself with the right team, but you’ve got to go with the team that you feel comfortable with. I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that Chip Ganassi is not a great person or a great race team, it’s simply that we couldn’t come to terms. Again, it wasn’t over money. There were other teams I could have signed with. If I was just looking for the money, there were some other teams out there that had some tremendous incentives and bonus checks out there, if I wanted to join with them. Again, this is not to belittle this team. All along, I said, ’Pay me market value for my driver services — a top 10 driver,’ and we never had an issue with any of these teams over money and, again, this is gonna be the end of this. I’ll be glad to talk to you tomorrow about any of this other stuff, but, right now, this is about the Wood Brothers and the effort they put on out there week in and week out. I’m proud to be a part of it. I’ll get into some of those other things a little later, but, I’m not gonna get into a negative mudslinging contest back and forth with somebody. I’m just gonna simply stick to this statement, but, again, I’m not sure where these stories develop. I have no idea. Again, the one with Ganassi and him and I having harsh words in his office — it never happened. I never met the man in his office. I’ve been to his race shop one time three weeks ago and that’s the end of the story."(Ford Racing)(8-21-2002)

  • FINALLY - Rudd to Announce Deal Today? Wood Brothers to make announcement UPDATE, IT's OFFICIAL Rudd's 2003 Plans: hearing there will be a news conference this afternoon at 5:00pm/et at the University Hilton (Charlotte) to announce Ricky Rudd's plans for next year. And that it does NOT involve Dodge or Chip Ganassi (by the way, heard Rudd was asking for over $3million and 50% of purse from Ganassi). Look for a full report on ESPN2's rpm2night at 6:30pm/et. AND just got this - Eddie and Len Wood of Wood Brothers Racing and Motorcraft have called a press conference to announce driver and sponsorship signings today at 5:00.(PR) ALSO FOX Sports Net's Totally NASCAR will have a full report at 6:00 local, 6:30pm/et on Speed Channel and NBC6.com will have coverage online and local TV.(8-20-2002)
    UPDATE - RUDD's 2003 Plans: Wood Brothers Racing took two leaps forward today. First, co-owners Eddie and Len Wood announced that they had agreed to the terms of a three-year contract with Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) and its Motorcraft Quality Parts brand, extending the sponsor's agreement through the 2005 season. Armed with three secure years of sponsorship, the Woods then came to terms on a three-year deal with perennial top-10 driver Ricky Rudd, whose contract with Robert Yates Racing expires at the end of the 2002 season. The actual contract signings are scheduled for today in Charlotte, NC.
    "Unbelievable.. Incredible.. I don't know what else to say. Two weeks ago, I wouldn't have bet you a nickel on our chances to sign Ricky. We had one year of sponsorship left, and just not enough to offer him," said Eddie Wood. "Motorcraft came down to see us last week in Stuart [VA]. They told us they wanted to extend our deal, and asked us what we thought it would take to get Ricky. We laid it out and they said, 'Let's go get him.'"
    "Motorcraft and the people at Ford Customer Service Division have been extremely pleased with our association with Wood Brothers Racing," said Ann O'Neill, Executive Director FCSD.. "This team represents family, quality and a sincere concern for the product they produce and that is what Motorcraft and Ford Motor Company are all about.. The same building blocks that have given Wood Brothers Racing its competitive strength over the years can be compared to the building blocks that keep Ford and its divisions and products at the top of the automotive market."
    This will be Rudd's second turn carrying the Motorcraft banner. From 1985-1987, Rudd won four races and finished in the top-10 all three years while driving Motorcraft Ford Thunderbirds for Bud Moore Engineering. "It's a little scary how quickly and easily all of this has come together," said Rudd.. "The bottom line, I guess, is that I trust Eddie and Len Wood, and I trust the people at Motorcraft. We're speaking the same language. Everybody in the garage who knows anything has seen how good the Wood Brothers' equipment is," Rudd continued... "Eddie and Len have put together a partnership with Jack Roush that is paying off. Pat Tryson (crew chief) used to work for me when I ran my own team. This is really comfortable for Linda and me, and I think we've got a chance to win some races." A 28-year veteran of Winston Cup racing, Rudd made his series debut in 1975 and won the Rookie of the Year in 1977. Since then, the 45-year-old Virginian has won 23 races and finished in the top-10 in the championship standings 18 times.. He currently stands sixth. As a Wood Brothers Racing driver, Rudd will find himself in elite company. Racing greats David Pearson, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Cale Yarborough, Neil Bonnett, and Glen Wood are just a few to win races in Wood Brothers Fords. The team has raced for 52 years and has amassed 97 victories, fourth all-time in NASCAR history and the most of any Ford team.
    A primary team sponsor in NASCAR Winston Cup for the last 18 years, Ford Customer Service Division and the Motorcraft brand began headlining the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Taurus in 2001. The team collected its first victory since 1993 at the 2001 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and has added four additional top-five finishes since then. The history of Motorcraft Quality Parts and Ford Customer Service Division in NASCAR goes back to its primary sponsorship on NASCAR owner Bud Moore's NASCAR Winston Cup Thunderbirds from 1985-1993 and its sponsorship of races at Atlanta Motor Speedway from 1987-1993. In 1994 and 1995 the Quality Care Service arm of the Ford Customer Service Division became Moore's sponsor, and then teamed with Ford Credit to sponsor the #88 Robert Yates Racing Thunderbirds and Tauruses driven by Dale Jarrett from 1996-2000. The Motorcraft brand of spark plugs, filters, motor oil, batteries, electrical, brake and suspension components, in addition to engines and transmissions, are available at Ford Motor Company dealerships and retail outlets throughout the country.(Campbell Company/Motorcraft PR/Ford Racing)(8-20-2002)

  • Sadler to test for Yates: Elliott Sadler and his 2003 crew chief Michael McSwain [for the #38 M&M's team] are planning to test together before the end of the year to provide the team a head-start on remaining a Winston Cup contender in 2003.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(8-20-2002)

  • Rudd and the Wood Bros? UPDATE 2: The Ricky Rudd saga took another twist Friday, with persistent speculation in the Winston Cup garage that he would move to the Wood Brothers' #21 team next season. Eddie Wood, co-owner of the team, did nothing to discourage such talk, saying he'd love to have Rudd in his Ford. "We've said from day one that we weren't signing anybody until Ricky Rudd had signed somewhere," Wood explained. Earlier speculation had Rudd driving a third car for owner Chip Ganassi in 2003 with sponsorship from Chevron/Texaco. But two news conferences to announce Rudd's plans were canceled, leaving his future in limbo. A published report in National Speed Sport News on Friday indicated that Rudd would drive for Ganassi next season. A spokesperson for Ganassi denied the report, calling it "inaccurate and incorrect" in a statement.(CNNSI/AP)(8-17-2002)
    UPDATE: Ford officials, perhaps worried about seeing Rudd win races in a Dodge the way former Ford driver Bill Elliott has done twice in the past three weeks, appear to be making a late effort to keep Rudd in a Taurus. Since the Wood Brothers team is sponsored by Ford through its Motorcraft brand, Ford could provide money to help pay for Rudd's services in the #21 car.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-18-2002)
    UPDATE 2: Ricky Rudd still hasn't found a home for next season, but it seems Ford is making a strong run to keep him in its camp‹preferably in the Wood Brothers car. A deal that would have aligned Chevron's Havoline brand and the #28 with Dodge team owner Chip Ganassi was canceled last week in the 11th hour, but Ganassi says Rudd remains at the top of his list for the third team he wants to form for next season. Announcements that Elliott Sadler will drive for Robert Yates in 2003, Steve Park will stay with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Johnny Benson will be back with MBV thinned the field for Sadler's replacement in the #21. But the Wood Brothers don't seem worried. "When Ricky Rudd makes his decision, we won't be far behind," says Eddie Wood, who says Rudd would be "a perfect fit" for their team but that there are several other drivers in the mix.(Sporting News)
    AND Meanwhile, the Ricky Rudd saga continues, and yesterday's story line was that Rudd now appears headed to the Wood brothers, with significant support from Ford Motor Company officials, worried about a defection to Dodge. However there are still hang-ups, one of them reportedly that Rudd wants a cap on the number of personal appearances he has to make. Rudd hasn't been saying anything, but one unconfirmed report is that within the past week, he tried to jump-start negotiations with Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, after the Chip Ganassi option fell through Monday, but that Jones rebuffed Rudd's efforts. Andy Petree says he has had calls in to Rudd but has not received any reply.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-19-2002)

  • But Rudd/Havoline/#28 and Sadler/M&M's/#27: UPDATE: hearing that will be the final outcome - Ricky Rudd to Ganassi, with Chevron/Texaco/Havoline and the #28; and Elliott Sadler to Yates with M&M Mar's.M&M's and the #27.(8-13-2002)
    UPDATE: NASCAR.com's The Buzz has learned that all the key factors are in place for the deal that would send Ricky Rudd, Havoline and the No. 28 to Chip Ganassi Racing, except for one important aspect: the driver. Confirmed reports inside the deal have revealed to the Buzz the Havoline sponsorship and the #28 were signed off on by Robert Yates Racing and into the hands of Chip Ganassi Racing almost two weeks ago. The agreement is said to be a three-year commitment between the sponsor and the Dodge-powered team. The stalling point in negotiations has been Rudd who allegedly wants a larger base salary with Ganassi than he had with RYR. If Ganassi agrees to the figure, then he would have to probably pay Sterling Marlin a larger base salary as well.(NASCAR.com)(8-14-2002)

  • Sadler Announement at Indy? UPDATE: Details of the deal that unites Elliott Sadler and Yates, with M&M's as the primary sponsor, for 2003 should be divulged at Indy.(Sporting News)
    UPDATE: Yates' M&M Mars deal for Elliott Sadler next season might not be quite as firm as previously believed, according to some sources; however, the company is expected to announced its deal at Indianapolis during Brickyard 400 week.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-22-2002)

  • Compton to the Wood Brothers? Wood to the BGN? hearing that Stacy Compton, current driver of the #14 Conseco Pontiac, has had lengthy discussions with the Wood Brothers to drive the #21 Motorcraft Ford next season. It could be a deal that would include the #59 BGN car to change to Fords from Chevy's and have a two-car BGN team with Jon Wood in the second car with Roush engines. Compton has recently signed to stay with the #59 ST Motorsports BGN team for 2003.(7-17-2002)

  • Sadler is quiet until August/Rudd has options UPDATE 3 Sadler to Yates, but different team?: Although Elliott Sadler has solidified his deal for next year—he signed a confidentiality clause that keeps him mum until August—almost everyone else is waiting to hear Ricky Rudd's plans for 2003 before more moves are made. Rudd says his preferences, in order, are: remain in the #28 Ford, retire, go to a new team. Rudd says he doesn't think staying with Robert Yates in the #28 is an option. Rudd says he has been offered several contracts, and Chip Ganassi's name keeps popping up as a potential new boss.(Sporting News)
    UPDATE: Ricky Rudd said after his victory on Sunday that he still hasn't made a decision about whether he'll retire after this season. He said he plans to think about his future on a vacation with his family next week, where he'll spend the final off weekend of the 2002 Winston Cup season. If he does return for another year, he said his first option would be to remain as driver of the No. 28 Fords at Robert Yates Racing - but he's not sure if that option is open. This is the final year of his contract with Yates and Rudd said he hasn't been able to get Yates to tell him for sure if Elliott Sadler has already been picked to take that ride.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-24-2002)
    UPDATE 2: WSLS Newschannel 10 say that Elliott Sadler has signed with Robert Yates Racing, but will drive a 3rd team and not the #28 Havoline Ford. Sadler's deal has a confidentiality agreement which says he cant say anything about the deal till August. The 3rd team will have M&M's as the sponsor which is leaving the #36 car after this year.(WSLS Newschannel 10-NBC)(6-27-2002)
    UPDATE 3: Elliott Sadler will be heading for Robert Yates Racing in 2003, but not at the expense of Ricky Rudd's ride. Instead, the Buzz has learned Sadler could acquire M&M's sponsorship and become a teammate to Rudd and Dale Jarrett at RYR. Sadler had been the focus of several rumors since he was released from his contract with Wood Brothers Racing earlier this season. M&M's is currently on the #36 Pontiac of Kenny Schrader. In addition, Peter Sospenzo may be considered for the top wrench position on the new team. Sospenzo led the #12 Ford owned by Penske Racing and driven by Jeremy Mayfield and then Mike Wallace until it ceased operation at the end of last year. Rumors had it that Stacker 2 was going to go with Sadler to sponsor the car wherever he went, but they are already locked in with Kenny Wallace for his Busch Series ride and might venture into Winston Cup with him for a few races.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-3-2002)

  • Tryson wins award: Elliott Sadler drove his #21 Motorcraft Ford from a 40th place start to a sixth place finish at last Sunday's Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Fuel strategy, great pit stops and heads-up driving took the Motorcraft Taurus up through the field and kept it up front most of the day, helping earn team crew chief Pat Tryson this week's "Irwin Rough to the Finish Award." Each week throughout the Cup season, Irwin, makers of professional power tool accessories, is partnering with Performance Racing Network [PRN] to honor the crew chief who had the toughest day in the pits, but still managed to help his team to a strong finish. The Irwin Rough to the Finish Award includes an assortment of tools for the crew chief and a $250 check donated to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund in the racing team's name. The year-end winner of the crew chief points standings will win a $5,000 check donated to the Fund. Race fans wanting to make a contribution to the Fund may do so by sending it to the Ellerbe, NC Educational Fund, PO Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338.(Golin Harris PR)(6-27-2002)

  • Shepherd to test for the #21 team: Former Wood Brothers Racing driver Morgan Shepherd will be filling in for Elliott Sadler next week when the team takes two speedway cars to Talladega Superspeedway to test. According to co-owner Eddie Wood, Sadler will be on vacation so Shepherd was asked to get in the car for the two-day test.. Shepherd will drive the #21 Motorcraft Ford in Talladega on Wednesday and Thursday, June 26 and 27. Shepherd drove for the Wood Brothers from 1992 through the 1995 season.. He also has a tie to Motorcraft, having driven the Motorcraft Ford Thunderbird for Bud Moore Engineering during 1990 and 1991 prior to taking over the driving duties for the Wood Brothers. "Morgan has helped us out with testing several times since he quit driving for us so he was our logical choice for this test when we found out that Elliott would not be available," said Wood. "We will have taken both of these cars to the wind tunnel before we get to Talladega.. We took the first one we finished to Canada and will run it through the wind tunnel at Marietta to get a base line for the second car before going to Alabama. We wanted to get both of these cars on a super speedway before going to Daytona for the Pepsi 400 the first week of July. And we certainly appreciate Morgan being available to help us out. We know he can get around Talladega, so we are looking forward to the information he will be able to give us on these new cars." Prior to Sadler's victory at Bristol last year, Shepherd was the team's most recent winner with the victory he posted at the Atlanta Motorcraft 500 in 1993.(Motorcraft Racing PR)(6-20-2002)

  • #21 close to a new 2003 driver soon? UPDATE 2: The Wood Brothers appear to be closing in on a driver they want for the #21 Ford in 2003, according to team sources, and a decision could come soon. One rumor has them looking at Bobby Hamilton, driver of the #55 Andy Petree Chevy.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-15-2002)
    UPDATE: Owner Len Wood says the team has a short list of candidates to fill the seat in the No. 21 Ford next season, and Bobby Hamilton is among them. "We talked to the head guys at Motorcraft (the team's sponsor) to get their opinion on what we should do," Wood says. "Could be a week, could be six weeks, but we know who we want." Hamilton, who owns three Dodge teams in the Craftsman Truck Series, would prefer to drive an Intrepid in Winston Cup, but says he is listening to all offers.(Sporting News)(6-17-2002)
    UPDATE 2: NASCAR.com reports that Winston Cup drivers Bobby Hamilton [#55], Mike Wallace [#33 part time], Johnny Benson [#10] and Jerry Nadeau [looking] are on the Wood Brothers list of drivers for 2003, as well as a handful of unnamed Busch Series drivers [Jason Keller has been one rumor]. "This deal changes every day, and who knows, by nightfall tonight this whole list could be drastically changed," Eddie Wood said. "As of today, though, we're down to three or four drivers we're looking at. Some we've talked to, some we haven't. We haven't met with everybody yet, but it's pretty much down to four."(NASCAR.com)(6-18-2002)


  • Sadler says he has not signed anything: Elliott Sadler insisted again Friday that he hasn't signed any agreement to drive for anybody next season. Sadler won't be back in the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford in 2003, but he continues to deny that he and Robert Yates have worked out a deal that would put Sadler in the No. 28 Fords. Ricky Rudd, driver of that car this year, said last weekend at Dover he believes such a deal is done. "I haven't signed with anybody, I swear," Sadler said Friday at Pocono Raceway. "I have been talking to people. I had a meeting on Wednesday, in fact." Sadler said that after he indicated his desire to leave the Wood Brothers a month ago, he has had contact with "six or seven" teams about the future. And he has been surprised by who has been calling. "I thought I might get calls from teams of a certain caliber, but the calls have come from some really top-caliber teams," Sadler said. "A couple of times I've called my father up and said, 'You're not going to believe this.'" Officials from Dale Earnhardt Inc. have acknowledged their interest in Sadler. Ford officials have also been working to keep the 27-year-old Virginian in their camp, which Sadler said he finds flattering. "I've only got one win and no poles so far, so I guess they see something in me. And that makes you feel good," Sadler said.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-8-2002)

  • Sadler Granted release after 2002 UPDATE 2 to Yates? Rudd Thinks so: [#21 Ford ]Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood confirmed Friday the Wood Brothers have granted an early release to driver Elliott Sadler so he can leave the team at the end of this season. Sadler had a contract to drive for the team through the 2005 season but earlier this month asked the team for an early release. Sadler, 27, has been with the Wood Brothers since joining the Winston Cup series in 1999. He earned his first career victory last March at Bristol, Tenn. "Elliott will be here until the end of the season like we said to start with," Wood said. "It's all fixed and bandaged up." Wood said his team has started the process of searching for a new driver, but hasn't done too much since the team didn't originally think it would be in this spot so soon. "It's hard to do all that and race, too. We're looking," Wood said. "We got all the mess done and we're trying to go on with business. The car has been running great. As far as I'm concerned, it's business as usual." When Sadler's request for a release first became public during the race weekend at Richmond, Va., Ty Norris, executive vice president for motorsports for Dale Earnhardt Inc., indicated Sadler was one of several drivers he had spoken to regarding driving opportunities beginning next season.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-31-2002)
    UPDATE to Yates? The Wood brothers have given driver Elliott Sadler his release from the last year of his contract, leaving him free to sign with another team for 2003. And, according to sources close to Sadler, he has already signed a new contract with Robert Yates to replace Ricky Rudd in the #28 Ford. Sadler, Yates and Rudd all had no official comment.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-1-2002)
    UPDATE 2: Elliott Sadler says he doesn't know where he'll race next season, but Ricky Rudd believes he does – the #28 Robert Yates Racing Fords Rudd now drives. "I understand they have signed Elliott," Rudd said Saturday at Dover International Speedway. "I don't really know. That's just kind of the rumor mill but you're hearing too much of it to disregard it. ...I've got a good feeling that it's true." Sadler, who this week was granted a release effective at season's end from his contract with the Wood Brothers, denied he has signed with a team for 2003. "I have not signed any contract with any race team," Sadler said. "I am talking to actually three different teams right now. …I'm more close with one than I am the other ones but have not signed with any of them." Sadler said he'd like to have a deal for 2003 signed as soon as possible, perhaps as early as next week. But Rudd seems convinced Yates and Sadler already have a deal. Efforts to reach Yates for comment Saturday afternoon were unsuccessful. Rudd, 45, is in the final year of a three-year contract to drive for Yates. He said last month that he would sign only one-year contracts until he decides to retire. "I told Robert I'd let him know in July, which is usually pretty early, about what I was going to do for next year," Rudd said. "We talked about it. I let him know my timeline and they never really let me know theirs. Evidently, theirs was a little more pushed than mine was. ...I guess for Robert some sense of urgency or panic set in there, not knowing what I was going to do."(ThatsRacin.com)(6-2-2002)
    MORE on this at NASCAR.com: Yates miffed by driver rumors, pit miscue.
    AND - maybe a third team? And the Ricky Rudd story took an unexpected turn yesterday, the day after it was reported that car owner Robert Yates planned to put Elliott Sadler in his legendary #28. Texaco officials have stepped into the picture to say that Rudd could continue as driver of that Havoline-sponsored car as long as he wanted it, according to team sources. Now, according to Ford sources, Matt Kenseth is on Yates' list of potential new drivers for the 2004 season. Kenseth's contract with Jack Roush runs through next season. Kenseth is also reported to be under consideration for rides with Dale Earnhardt Inc. In addition, Richard Childress reportedly has shown an interest in signing Kenseth. While Rudd says he understands that Elliott Sadler has indeed signed with Yates to drive one of his cars next season, the Texaco report would seem to leave that issue in some doubt. However, Yates has been working the garage this weekend, lining up some new crewmen, apparently for that possible third team that he reportedly has under consideration for next season.(Winston Salem Journal)
    AND II: Yates said speculation that he is considering a third team is inaccurate.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(6-3-2002)

  • Sadler in a Music Video: Elliott Sadler, driver of the #21 Motorcraft Racing Ford has a role in the video of country music star Blake Shelton’s new song “Ol’ Red” that hit the market and skyrocketed to #1 earlier this month. Sadler plays Shelton’s brother in the video. The two met in Atlanta where Shelton opened a Hank Williams, Jr. concert.(see full story and quotes at: Ford Racing)(5-30-2002)

  • Rudd to the Wood Brothers? Andretti? Elliott Sadler will get his long-sought release from Wood Brothers Racing this week, but won't be leaving until the end of this NASCAR season. Sadler wants to leave the Stuart-based team to pursue a new Winston Cup ride. Some feel that means Dale Earnhardt Inc., which seemingly will fire Steve Park within the next week or so. But there's growing sentiment in the garage that Sadler might join Robert Yates Racing. If that happens, look for RYR driver Ricky Rudd to join the Wood brothers for the last year or so of his career. Team co-owners Eddie and Len Wood have been working with Motorcraft and the Air Force for several weeks.(Daily Press), another rumor floating around has John Andretti going to the Wood Brother's #21 Ford.(5-27-2002)

  • More on Sadler-Wood Bros, Sadler to the #1?: Expect hard feelings until Elliott Sadler and the [#21 Motorcraft Ford] Wood brothers settle their dispute over his efforts to quit ASAP. They won't come to an agreement before Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600, but Sadler would love to get it done next week. He wants to pursue a ride with Dale Earnhardt Inc. That may come early next month, when Steve Park likely will be released. When it happens, look for Sadler to go even though the Wood brothers don't want a mid-season change.(Daily Press)(5-25-2002)

  • Sadler's Release Update: Elliott Sadler was on PRN's The Pitreporters Wednesday afternoon and had this to say: In an effort to speed-up the release from his contract with the Wood Brothers, Elliott Sadler has offered to forfeit his half of the earnings for the rest of the year if they can come to an agreement by Friday. "That's how eager I am to get my release so I can get it behind me so we can race" said Sadler. He says it's hard being at the track wondering if it's going to happen and when it's going to happen, and wants to get it done so when they show up at the racetrack they're ready to race 100-percent. Sadler says he's real, real close to getting it done, however.added that it's been a touchy subject for the Wood Brothers and Motorcraft because the sponsor (Motorcraft) needs to approve his replacement." If he obtains his release by this weekend, Sadler thinks an announcement could be made in the next few weeks as to his future driving plans. The 27-year old Virginia native said "I'm talking with 2 or 3 different teams and I'm really pretty close with all of them.. I've kind of narrowed it down...and we'll see what happens.AND Kevin Harvick thought Elliott Sadler was mad at him during The Winston when Sadler threw his helmet and hit Ryan Newman's car after Sadler was wrecked during NASCAR's All-Star race. In the trailer after the race, Harvick asked Sadler if he was throwing at him. Sadler said..."No sir, I hit my target! We kinda laughed about that." Sadler said because Newman was on the outside of Harvick it.made it.a hard throw.(PRN's Garagepass Radio Show/Pit Reporters)(5-23-2002)
    UPDATE: In response to Elliott Sadler's offer that he would forfeit his half of the earnings for the rest of the year if.the team.came to an agreement by Friday on his release, Eddie Wood said "It's a nice gesture, but I've got to think about what's best for our race team...and that's.what I'll do. To us it's not about.the money. He's in quite a hurry to get his stuff done, but he's one person and I've got 50 employees. I want to make sure we get the right guy to replace him and it's so early.I don't want to do something just for the sake of having it done and the next day a situation that would work better comes up".(PRN's Garagepass Radio Show)(5-23-2002)

  • Sadler out of the #21? UPDATEs $11 million sponsor?: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that Elliott Sadler has asked for his release from the #21 Wood Brothers team. Sadler supposedly is looking at an opportunity with Dale Earnhardt Inc (#15? - no idea). The Wood Brothers have not granted his release yet.(4-30-2002)
    UPDATE: Word around some shops [and from ESPN] is that Elliott Sadler has asked for a release from his contract from the #21 Motorcraft Wood Brothers Ford. Sadler has supposedly been approached by several teams and wants out of the contract he has had with the team since 1999 to explore those options. One of the teams rumored to be interested in Sadler is Dale Earnhardt Inc., the home of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. Kenny Wallace, who filled in for the Park after his Darlington injuries last September, is still under contract to DEI as well.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-1-2002)
    UPDATE: Thursday's ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reported that Sadler has sponsor's worth $11 million to bring to a team and has talked to DEI about taking the sponsor there.(5-3-2002)
    UPDATE 5: Elliott Sadler, according to several sources, has come up with an $11 million sponsorship with the World Wrestling Federation (actually the WWE not WWF) and is shopping that deal around. Two weeks ago DEI's Ty Norris, who is in renegotiation talks with sponsor NAPA and Pennzoil (now owned by Shell), confirmed talking with Sadler. Now word from Ford Motor Company sources is that Ford officials are trying to keep Sadler in their camp by trying to put together a new Ford ride for him. One of the Ford options being raised is a ride with Robert Yates, even though neither of Yates' two current drivers, Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd, has expressed any interest in moving on. According to one source, Sadler has not been satisfied with the horsepower he's been getting from Roush Racing.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-18-2002)
    AND nore: just speculation but here it is - Several WWE superstars are friends with Elliott Sadler and his brother Hermie (who races cars also) and in his bio Hermie says he will sometimes travel with the WWE and a couple of the wrestlers participated in a golf tournament the Sadlers had. This just adds to the fact that the WWE will likely sponsor his car. According the the Honolulu Advertiser, which looks at the Rock returning to Hawaii (he went to high school there) on June 15th for the WWF event there, where Rock will take on Chris Jericho in a no DQ match.(prowrestling.com) BUT on Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup (a jayski must see) Elliot Sadler denied have any sponsorship in hand with any company, then Michael Waltrip asked Sadler if he ever read Jayski, which Sadler replied "everyday", pretty cool, but anyhow....the point is, Sadler said he has no sponsor in place.(5-21-2002)

  • Penalties at The Winston? UPDATE: ThatsRacin.com is reporting: #21-Elliott Sadler, #29-Kevin Harvick and race winner #12-Ryan Newman were all told to report to the NASCAR hauler following the race for incidents each was involved in during Saturday night's Winston. On Lap 43, Newman edged Sadler up the track and Sadler hit the Turn 2 wall, sending him to the garage. Before Sadler left the scene of the wreck, he took off his helmet and threw it at Newman's car as he passed by. Newman was called to the hauler for hitting Sadler, while Sadler was called in for throwing the helmet. Harvick and Newman traded bumps while under caution and Harvick was called in for that incident. NASCAR spokesperson Danielle Frye said Sadler will likely receive a penalty for his actions, which would be announced Monday.(5-19-2002)
    UPDATE: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that Elliott Sadler was fined $5,000 by NASCAR for throwing his helmet at Ryan Newman's car during The Winston.(5-20-2002)
    AND NASCAR officials announced that driver Elliott Sadler has been fined $5,000 for his actions this past weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Sadler, driver of the #21 Ford, threw his helmet at another competitor's car [#12 Ryan Newman] and was penalized under Section 12-4-A of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book: œActions detrimental to stock car racing.(NASCAR PR)(5-21-2002)

  • Sadler out of the #21? UPDATEs $11 million sponsor?: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that Elliott Sadler has asked for his release from the #21 Wood Brothers team. Sadler supposedly is looking at an opportunity with Dale Earnhardt Inc (#15? - no idea). The Wood Brothers have not granted his release yet.(4-30-2002)
    UPDATE: Word around some shops [and from ESPN] is that Elliott Sadler has asked for a release from his contract from the #21 Motorcraft Wood Brothers Ford. Sadler has supposedly been approached by several teams and wants out of the contract he has had with the team since 1999 to explore those options. One of the teams rumored to be interested in Sadler is Dale Earnhardt Inc., the home of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. Kenny Wallace, who filled in for the Park after his Darlington injuries last September, is still under contract to DEI as well.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-1-2002)
    UPDATE: Thursday's ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reported that Sadler has sponsor's worth $11 million to bring to a team and has talked to DEI about taking the sponsor there.(5-3-2002)
    UPDATE 5: Elliott Sadler, according to several sources, has come up with an $11 million sponsorship with the World Wrestling Federation (actually the WWE not WWF) and is shopping that deal around. Two weeks ago DEI's Ty Norris, who is in renegotiation talks with sponsor NAPA and Pennzoil (now owned by Shell), confirmed talking with Sadler. Now word from Ford Motor Company sources is that Ford officials are trying to keep Sadler in their camp by trying to put together a new Ford ride for him. One of the Ford options being raised is a ride with Robert Yates, even though neither of Yates' two current drivers, Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd, has expressed any interest in moving on. According to one source, Sadler has not been satisfied with the horsepower he's been getting from Roush Racing.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-18-2002)
    AND nore: just speculation but here it is - Several WWE superstars are friends with Elliott Sadler and his brother Hermie (who races cars also) and in his bio Hermie says he will sometimes travel with the WWE and a couple of the wrestlers participated in a golf tournament the Sadlers had. This just adds to the fact that the WWE will likely sponsor his car. According the the Honolulu Advertiser, which looks at the Rock returning to Hawaii (he went to high school there) on June 15th for the WWF event there, where Rock will take on Chris Jericho in a no DQ match.(prowrestling.com) BUT on Speed Channel's Inside Winston Cup (a jayski must see) Elliot Sadler denied have any sponsorship in hand with any company, then Michael Waltrip asked Sadler if he ever read Jayski, which Sadler replied "everyday", pretty cool, but anyhow....the point is, Sadler said he has no sponsor in place.(5-21-2002)

  • Special #21 Scheme: The legendary Wood Brothers Racing #21 Ford Taurus, driven by Elliott Sadler and sponsored by Motorcraft, will be sporting a special paint scheme honoring Air Force bomber aircraft during Coca-Cola 600 race, 26 May, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. The paint scheme features the B-1 Lancer on the right side of the car, the B-52 Stratofortress -- the venerable workhorse of the Air Force bomber fleet -- on the left side and the stealthy B-2 Spirit on the hood of the car. The United States has used all three of these aircraft in its war on terrorism. At the Coca-Cola 600, a B-2 from Whiteman Air Force Base, MO will do a fly-by after country and western singer George Jones finishes "50,000 Names," a song about the Vietnam Wall. A four-ship formation of F-15 Eagles from Seymour Johnson AFB, S.C., will also conduct a flyover after Jones finishes singing the National Anthem. Additionally, an Air Force honor guard, a bugler playing TAPS and the USAF STARS Parachute Jump Team will perform at the Coca-Cola 600. Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, Air Combat Command commander, will be attending the race and will address the crowd and administer the Oath of Enlistment to 50 new recruits prior to the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Additionally, Hornburg will be accepting the Stonewall Jackson award - given yearly for patriotism in the military - on behalf of Gen. John P, Jumper, Air Force Chief of Staff, who is unable to attend. The Air Force continues to use its involvement in NASCAR to interest more young men and women, especially those with mechanical and electronic skills, in considering a career in the military.(Air Force PR), see a layout of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(5-17-2002)

  • Sadler in video: #21-Elliott Sadler will make his music video debut this Thursday, May 9, on CMT Most Wanted Live at 7:00pm. Sadler joined country music vocalist Blake Shelton in the filming of his new release "Ol' Red". "I'm going to call some of my friends and kick back in the living room and watch the debut," stated Sadler. "I always enjoy listening to music so it's pretty cool that I'm actually going to be in a video. I haven't seen the video yet but have heard many good things about it. Hopefully all of the CMT viewers tomorrow night will enjoy it. If they enjoy the video, they'll be able to visit CMT.com and vote to see the video again each night on CMT Most Wanted Live."(PR)(5-9-2002)

  • Keller in the #21? UPDATE: Don’t be surprised, by the way, if BGN points leader Jason Keller, who won Friday night’s Hardee’s 250, becomes one of the drivers seriously considered as Sadler’s replacement in the Wood Brothers’ #21. As it stands now, of course, Sadler figures to remain in the car through the end of the season. Keller has been around for years but only recently turned 32. After taking his knocks and being dismissed as a BGN lifer, Keller, all of a sudden, finds himself in the unlikely position of being an overnight sensation. When asked about the potential for finding a Winston Cup ride, Keller was cautious. "It would have to be a place where I felt like I could win races," he said. "There have been some brief discussions, but nothing serious. I’m happy where I am, and right now there’s no reason to think anything is going to change. I love this team, and I’m comfortable where I am."(Gaston Gazette)(5-5-2002)
    UPDATE: BGN points leader Jason Keller, who got his third win of the season on Friday at Richmond, may be headed for the Winston Cup Series as soon as next season. Keller said he has been getting inquiries from Winston Cup teams interested in hiring him to drive one of their cars. "The phone's starting to ring more and more, and I'm sure it'll be ringing this week," he said. "But it's going to take a good situation to get me out of where I am now." He said he wouldn't leave his present team unless he felt he was going to a Winston Cup team that was capable of winning races right away. "I don't think the grass is greener on the other side just because it's Winston Cup," he said. "I'm happy where I am now, and we'll cross that bridge when we get there." He said before he held any serious talks with a Winston Cup team owner, he'd go to his current owner, Greg Pollex, and tell him what he was doing. "I'm not the kind of person that would go behind anybody's back," he said. "Greg has been very good to me."(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(5-5-2002)

  • DEI Shakeup Coming? UPDATE 2: A shakeup appears to be looming at Dale Earnhardt Inc., with word that DEI boss Ty Norris is talking with Elliott Sadler about driving for the company next season, presumably replacing either #15-Michael Waltrip or #1-Steve Park. Norris says that DEI will make a decision on next year's drivers lineup by the end of May. Sponsor demands may be the key to Norris' calls. The NAPA sponsor is considered one at stake, with other car owners looking to make a bid for it. But Geoff Smith, the head of Roush Racing and the man who helped write Sadler's contract with the Woods brothers, says the decision on Sadler is up to Eddie Wood. "There have been rumors coming out of DEI about Michael Waltrip and Steve Park for some time," Smith said. "I think this is their logical time table to address change.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-3-2002)
    UPDATE: Michael Waltrip said Friday morning at Richmond he intends to be back in the #15 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy in 2003. “I fully expect that I’ll be driving this car next year,” Waltrip said. “That’s my intention. If it’s a forgone conclusion that I won’t be, then I don’t know about that.” Dale Earnhardt Jr., now part-owner in DEI, didn’t completely deny that the team was thinking about putting Sadler in a DEI car next year, and that changes wouldn’t be made. “It’s not the truth until you hear from us or him (Sadler),” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I don’t know why everybody has to believe stuff like that. It’s kind of funny. I don’t know if we’re looking at Elliott; we’re just looking at ways to improve our team. I look at our teams myself individually as if they were stock, and we have to continue to raise the value of the team and try to improve the team as far as members, crew members, or any area that we see needs to be improved. We either try to take this guy and help him along or try to improve him or give him the things that he thinks he needs to succeed or we make a change. That’s the nature of the beast. As far as Elliott goes, I wouldn’t worry about posting anything until you hear it from us.”(RacingOne)(5-3-2002)
    AND from NASCAR.com -DEI executive vice president Ty Norris told NASCAR.com Friday that the Nos. 1 and 15 teams need one of two things: improved results or a personnel shakeup within the organization. Norris said that DEI has a set deadline for its decision, but would not disclose that date. The current contracts for drivers Steve Park and Michael Waltrip expire following the 2002 season, and Norris said DEI is exploring the possibility of hiring other drivers. Norris said that sponsor input will play a large role in the decision, and that drivers aren’t the only individuals in question. “We basically have two drivers with contracts up and the end of the year,” Norris said. “So we’re feeling things out, seeing who is available and what is available.” Among the candidates is Elliott Sadler, who asked for his release from Wood Brothers Racing last weekend. Norris said Sadler was “very high” on his short list of possibilities.(5-3-2002)
    UPDATE: Norris - "I'm thinking by the beginning of June we'll know what we're going to do, for the end of this and for next year, because both Michael and Steve have a renegotiating deadline of June 15."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-4-2002)

  • Sadler out of the #21? UPDATE 4 staying thru 2002: ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that Elliott Sadler has asked for his release from the #21 Wood Brothers team. Sadler supposedly is looking at an opportunity with Dale Earnhardt Inc (#15? - no idea). The Wood Brothers have not granted his release yet.(4-30-2002)
    UPDATE: Word around some shops [and from ESPN] is that Elliott Sadler has asked for a release from his contract from the #21 Motorcraft Wood Brothers Ford. Sadler has supposedly been approached by several teams and wants out of the contract he has had with the team since 1999 to explore those options. One of the teams rumored to be interested in Sadler is Dale Earnhardt Inc., the home of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. Kenny Wallace, who filled in for the Park after his Darlington injuries last September, is still under contract to DEI as well.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-1-2002)
    UPDATE 2: Elliott Sadler confirmed Wednesday afternoon that he has asked Wood Brothers Racing for a release from his contract, starting at the end of the 2002 season, so that he might begin pursuing other options for 2003. Sadler was adamant about the falsity of reports that he asked for an immediate release, and said that, barring extenuating circumstances, he'll be in the #21 Motorcraft Ford for the remainder of the year. "The only official thing right now is that, Sunday night, I did ask for my release from the Wood Brothers so that I can pursue other options for the 2003 season," Sadler said. "All that other stuff about (Dale Earnhardt, Inc.) or anyone else is way too premature at this point." Wood Brothers Racing declined comment. Ty Norris, DEI executive vice president, seconded Sadler's statement. He also suggested that May will be a pivotal month in DEI's future. "There's nothing really to say at this point," Norris said. "We have talked to Elliott and we have talked to other drivers as well -- including our own. We will make a lot of decisions about the face of DEI's future by the end of May."(NASCAR.com)(5-1-2002)
    UPDATE 3: Thursday's ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reported that Sadler has sponsor's worth $11 million to bring to a team and has talked to DEI about taking the sponsor there.(5-3-2002)
    UPDATE 4: Wood Brothers Racing made clear Friday no matter what the future holds with driver Elliott Sadler, it is expected he will remain as the team's driver at least through the end of the 2002 season. Sadler confirmed Thursday that he has asked to be released from his contract to explore driving opportunities with other teams. He said he and his team lacked the "chemistry" to build a successful program. Eddie and Len Wood, co-owners of the Wood Brothers Racing team, issued a statement Friday morning in which they acknowledged that Sadler had asked for a release from his contract, but said Sadler would remain as the team's driver for the rest of the 2002 season. "It was rumored that he was being released or wanted the release immediately. Both of these statements are false," the statement said. "As far as the issue of the release is concerned, we are working toward a solution that will satisfy both Elliott Sadler and Wood Brothers Racing." Eddie Wood said later that Sadler's request caught the team by surprise. "Every day you come to the race track, it's a new surprise," he said. "It just happens to be my week. Next week, it will be somebody else's turn." Wood said Sadler's contract runs through the 2005 season. "We're going to try to work this thing out and if it works out (with Sadler leaving), then we got to figure who is going to be our next guy and we haven't started yet," Wood said.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-3-2002)

  • Sadler in Video: #21 Cup driver Elliott Sadler and Country Music Male Vocalist Blake Shelton spent the majority of Tuesday and Wednesday filming the music video for Shelton’s new release, “Ol’ Red”.. The two met in March of this year when Sadler attended one of Shelton’s concerts in Atlanta.. They began to chat and found they share a common interest in deer hunting.. By the conclusion of the meet and greet, Sadler and Shelton had made plans to shoot the music video and a deer hunting trip to Virginia in December. The filming of “Ol’ Red” began Tuesday morning and “That’s A Wrap” transpired on Wednesday night around midnight.. Shelton’s first major release, “Austin”, soared to No. 1 on the country music charts. “Filming ‘Ol’ Red’ with Blake has been awesome,” stated Sadler.. “I’ve always enjoyed watching music videos and when Blake asked me if I’d like to join him in one of his videos I immediately accepted.. It was a lot of fun and similar to filming a commercial accept it took a lot longer.. I’ve always told everyone that if I couldn’t be a racecar driver I’d want to be a country music singer.. This is probably as close as I’ll ever come.” According to Shelton, “I became a huge NASCAR fan last year in October when I sang the National Anthem at Talladega.. Elliott and I had a great time filming the video and I hope all of the NASCAR and country music fans will enjoy the ‘Ol’ Red’ Video." To view the lyrics from “Ol’ Red” please click on the link below: http://www.blakeshelton.com/section/audio/olred.htm. The video is scheduled for release in early May.. Shelton plays the role of the inmate and Sadler plays the inmate’s cousin.. Both were instructed to grow beards for their roles in the video.. The attached photo includes Elliott and Blake.(Elliott Sadler Enterprises PR)(4-18-20020

  • Transporter driver wins race: Barry Sheppard, transporter driver for the #21 Motorcraft Ford Winston Cup race team, won Saturday's first round of the International Truck Challenge. Driving an International 9400 tractor towing a 53-foot trailer, Sheppard completed a lap – through a course that included a slalom track and right turn and backing maneuvers – in 1 minute, 14 seconds.(Dallas Morning Star)(4-8-2002)

  • Some Wind Tunnel News: hearing the #21 Motorcraft Ford is being tested in the wind tunnel today at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The #11 Brett Bodine Hooters team tested on Monday (along with the #90, see story below). Ford has the tunnel booked this week thru Thursday.(3-26-2002)

  • Wood tests Cup car: Jon Wood, son of Wood Brothers [#21] car owner Eddie, tested a Cup car at for Ford at a test facility in Arizona this week.(News and Record)(3-2-2002)

  • Pearson, Woods back together: Nearly 23 years after the Wood Brothers and David Pearson parted company following a mixed-up pit stop at Darlington Raceway, two of the sport's legends will be back together again at the track they dominated in the 1970s. Pearson, 67, will come to the track next month to tutor Jon Wood, the 20-year-old grandson of Glen Wood, one of the founders of the legendary race team. Eddie Wood, who now is a part owner of the Woods racing team, is Glen's son and Jon's father. It was his idea to get Pearson to help Jon, who is in his first full season on the Craftsman Truck Series and has never run at Darlington, the track that bills itself as "Too Tough to Tame." For Pearson, taming Darlington was no problem. He leads all drivers with 12 poles and 10 wins at the track. Six of those wins and nine of the poles came in the Wood's cars. Even though the Woods and Pearson parted company during the 1979 season, they have remained close friends.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(2-27-2002)

  • Sadler and Burton to be honored: Elliott Sadler and Ward Burton are being honored by Virginia officials. Sadler will be presented with a resolution Tuesday for his second-place performance in the Daytona 500. Burton will be saluted at a later time. On Sunday, he became the first Virginian to win the Daytona 500.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-23-2002)

  • Motorcraft Launches Site: Motorcraft, premium automotive parts for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, has an all-new website. Aftermarket installers and vehicle owners will find the new Motorcraft.com to be a valuable resource. The site features detailed descriptions of the most popular Motorcraft products and a full-line catalog of all Motorcraft offerings. Visitors can find where to buy Motorcraft products with a wholesale and retail locator. The site also includes a comprehensive Motorcraft Racing section with in-depth coverage of the Motorcraft Racing Team in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The section features detailed information on the #21 Motorcraft Ford Taurus, Elliott Sadler, and the entire Wood Brothers Racing Team. Weekly updates provide the latest race results, recaps and standings while an exclusive monthly feature article covers fun, inside stories about the team.(Cambell PR)(2-20-2002)

  • Air Force back with the #21: The Air Force will continue its association with the legendary Wood Brothers Racing #21 Taurus for the upcoming 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup racing season. The car, driven by Elliott Sadler and sponsored by Motorcraft, Ford Motor Company's parts brand, will feature the Air Force symbol on its hood and quarter panels. In addition, there will be a special Air Force paint scheme at two races during the 2002 season. The Air Force is conducting an aggressive recruiting campaign to attract more than 37,000 new recruits this year for jobs in more than 200 areas ranging from air traffic controllers to computer operators, jet engine mechanics to medical technicians. The service also needs hundreds of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and engineers and plans to award more than $60 million in ROTC scholarships before October. The Air Force and the #21 car share the same strategy of using teamwork, technology, speed and information superiority to outsmart whatever situation it faces. The service will continue to use its involvement in NASCAR as part of its overall plan to get more young men and women, especially those with mechanical and electrical aptitudes, interested in an Air Force career. Air Force recruiters will be at most of this season's races - inviting NASCAR fans, who love the speed of NASCAR, to "Cross Into the Blue," and experience the supersonic speed and high technology of today's Air Force.(Air Force Public Affairs)(1-31-2002)

  • Sadler Video: #21-Elliott and #02-Hermie Sadler are participating in a video featuring Country Artist and family friend Don Cox.. There are several other special guests that will be there including Professional Wrestler Jeff Jarrett. The video is being shot Saturday night, January 19 at Brian's Steak House and Lounge in South Hill, VA. The concert is sold out, but copies of the video can be ordered by contacting Judy Doyle at Sadler Fan Club. For info go to their site: sadlerfanclub.com(1-19-2002)

  • Lakeland Testing: some teams/drivers tested at Lakeland Speedway in FL this week. John Andretti tested the #43 and #45 Dodges. Eliott Sadler tested the #21 Ford with help from Mark Martin. #10-Johnny Benson was scheduled to test there but had to cancel and rescheduled their test for Feb. 4 and 5. Roush CTS driver Jon Wood spent some time testing with Mark Martin. Wood tested for two days in Lakeland before heading to the mandatory testing sessions at Daytona this weekend(various PR's)(1-19-2002)

  • Sadler now part of the Family: #21-Elliott Sadler is the latest addition to the Coca Cola Family Of Drivers. Which includes: #1-Steve Park; #9-Bill Elliott; #15-Michael Waltrip; #18-Bobby Labonte; #28-Ricky Rudd; #20-Tony Stewart; #43-John Andretti; #45-Kyle Petty; #88-Dale Jarrett #99-Jeff Burton.(Coca Cola Racing Family)(1-19-2002)

  • Wind Tunnel Testing? hearing the #68 TWC Motorsports team and the #21 Wood Brothers team are testing cars in the wind tunnel at N.A.S.A.'s Langley Research Center located in Hampton, VA today(1-11-2002)

    2001 News

  • The third and final race for the prize UPDATE Sheppard wins: in the International Truck Challenge, a three-event competition showcasing the skills of race team tractor trailer drivers and the International vehicles that help them haul equipment across the country, will be held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Nov 17th. The first two events were at Sears Point and Lowes Motor Speedway. There is a $25,000 grand prize to the total points winner. The winner at Sears Point was #43 driver Garry Geissman, at Lowes Motor Speedway was Ricky Simmons driver of the #26 rig. See more at NASCAR.com - International Truck Challenge(11-15-2001)
    UPDATE: #21-Wood Brothers transporter driver Barry Sheppard won the International Truck Challenge Championship this weekend. The contest pits 22 Winston Cup truck drivers in a series of driving tests. Sheppard won this weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, clinching the 2001 title(Richmond Times Dispatch)(11-20-2001)

  • #21 to test in FL UPDATE: The Wood Brothers head to Lakeland, FL, today to test their Richmond car. Elliott Sadler is competing in a new car this weekend as he attempts to win a bonus prize. Sadler is one of five drivers who qualified for a million-dollar bonus if he wins the Monte Carlo 400(Richmond Times Dispatch), the No Bull 5 million(9-4-2001)
    UPDATE: the #21 Wood Brothers team cancelled the Lakeland Speedway test today because of bad weather but the team and driver Elliott Sadler is testing in Memphis, TN today instead for the Richmond race(9-4-2001)

  • Happy News: Prior to Thursday night's Food City Family Night in downtown Bristol, Sadler proposed to his girlfriend, Lisa Tollett. After dating for four years this weekend, when they met at Bristol Motor Speedway, Sadler proposed to the current Miss Tennessee USA. She readily accepted. The date of the wedding is to be announced.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(8-24-2001)

  • Air Force at Indy: The Air Force announced today that the flyover for the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 5 will be performed by four F-16's from the 181st Fighter Squadron, Indiana Air National Guard, and a B-52 from the 93rd Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The B-52 from the Air Force Reserve at Barksdale has tail number 21 to salute the NASCAR Winston Cup car #21, driven by Elliott Sadler. The B-52 also has the #21 decals on both sides of the nose of the aircraft. The Air Force is an advertiser on the #21 car and continues to use its involvement in NASCAR as part of its overall recruiting plan to gain the interest of more young men and women, especially those with mechanical and electrical skills. The lineage of the 93rd began Aug 21, 1917 with the activation of the 93rd Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, TX. The 93rd flew combat missions in both World War I and WWII. The Squadron was deactivated in 1963 with the closure of Kinchloe AFB, but was reactivated in 1993 and is the first B-52 unit in the Air Force Reserve. The flyover at the Brickyard 400 shows the total support given to this country not only by the active duty Air Force, but by the men and women who continue to support through the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard(Air Force Public Affairs)(8-2-2001)
    Check out images of the plane:

    #21 B52


    (US Air Force Public Affairs 8-5-2001)


  • Throttle Cut Off Fails? UPDATE: #21-Elliott Sadler said a throttle cut-off switch might have caused him to crash on the third lap. He continued racing and finished 23rd. "That's two weeks in a row that thing's cut off on me," Sadler said of the device developed to shut the engine off when the throttle is stuck. "It made me hit the wall [last week] in New Hampshire and then cost us a lot of points here today. I know it's a safety device, but that's two weeks in a row it's killed us, so we're going to try to do something different about it."(Roanoke Times)(7-30-2001)
    UPDATE: Pat Tryson, crew chief for Elliott Sadler, said that the throttle cut-off device, which contributed to a crash last weekend at Pocono, has been fixed. Tryson said Sadler got hit from behind at Pocono and hit the brakes. The car has a cut-off device that if enough force is applied to the brakes while the accelerator is open, it automatically turns the engine off. That's what happened to Sadler. Tryson said the device has been modified to withstand more pressure before cutting the engine off.(Roanoke Times)(8-4-2001)

  • Another Team for the Wood Bros UPDATE: A source close to Wood Brothers Racing said Tuesday that team owner Eddie Wood has bought more land close to the team’s current shop in Stuart, VA, in order to build a second team shop. The shop, which will house Wood’s son Jon’s future effort, is in the formative stages now, according to the source(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-16-2001)
    UPDATE: Wood Brothers Racing announced today their plans to purchase one acre of land from Patrick County. The land is adjacent to their #21 Winston Cup operation, which is located in Stuart, Virginia. The procurement will play a major role in the team’s future. According to Team Owner Eddie Wood the land is being purchased to house a potential second NASCAR team. However, Wood says there are no definite details on the second team as of yet. The lead candidate to land in the driver’s seat of the Wood Brothers Racing second team is Eddie’s son, Jon Wood. Thus far in the 2001 season, Jon has competed in various series’ including the NASCAR Winston West Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series(Wood Bros PR)(5-17-2001)

  • Special Air Force Scheme at the Coke 600: The Air Force announced today that the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Ford Taurus, driven by Elliott Sadler and sponsored by Motorcraft, will display a special Air Force paint scheme for Memorial Day during the Coca-Cola 600, May 27 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Although the Air Force already advertises on the #21 car, Motorcraft wanted to salute the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, with an Air Force blue car. Elliott Sadler, the car’s driver, said he is honored to drive this Air Force car. “I feel it is a real privilege to represent the Air Force,” Sadler said. “I just hope we will run as good as it looks so we can represent the Air Force the way it needs to be represented.” The Air Force continues to use its involvement in NASCAR as part of its overall recruiting plan to get more young men and women, especially those with mechanical and electrical skills, interested in the service. Featured on the hood and sides of the car is the F-22, the Air Force’s next-generation fighter. (Wood Brothers Racing PR), thanks - Jayski was in the USAF(see my about page). See an image of the car in my Paint Scheme Gallery(5-10-2001)

  • Another Wood UPDATE: Jon Wood starts second today in his second Winston West race. His father is Eddie Wood, one of the co-owners of the Wood Brothers #21 Winston Cup team. Jon Wood, 19, is competing in selected Winston West and truck series races this year to gain experience. Roush Racing has announced that Wood will drive for one of the organization's truck teams provided sponsorship is found. Wood finished 11th in his Winston West debut at Phoenix in February. He plans to compete at Winston West events this year at Kansas Speedway and Las Vegas. He also plans to compete in the truck series races at Richmond and South Boston Speedway(Roanoke Times)
    UPDATE: Jon Wood led quite a few laps and finished 2nd(4-28-2001)

  • Sadler Testing at Michigan: Elliott Sadler and #21 Wood Brothers Racing team are testing at Michigan International Speedway this week. Tuesday got off to a late start due to weather. It rained in the morning and, even with the help of a jet dryer, it took close to three hours to dry the track due to temperatures in the 40s and an overcast sky. Despite the conditions, Sadler and his crew felt they made progress at a track, where the team has produced less than stellar results the past two years.(Campbell/Ford PR)(4-11-2001)

  • 1-2 #21 and #43 and vs: After the historically reminiscent 1-2 finish by the 21 and 43 cars last Sunday a lot of people wrote to ask me when was the last time that happened. I finally broke out the books and a half cup of rock and rye to research it. The best I can tell the last time the 21 and 43 cars finished 1-2 in that order was the 1976 Southern 500. (The 43 and 21 cars finished 1-2 three times that year, most notably in the Daytona 500, with Pearson winning all three races.) The last time the 43 and 21 car finished 1-2 in that order was the June, 1977 Riverside race. ( Petty and Pearson also finished 1-2 in the race previous to Riverside, the World 600.)(SpeedFX - Random Thoughts)(3-30-2001)

  • #21 Paint Scheme: during a NASCAR.com chat with #21 driver Elliott Sadler - Q) any special paint schemes this season? A) Yes. In the Coca-Cola 600 - We have a great one. It's a US Air Force one. The suit looks awesome.(NASCAR.com)(3-29-2001)

  • How About That! Elliott Sadler Wins at Bristol!: #21-Elliott Sadler won the Food City at Bristol in the Motorcraft/Air Force Ford. Sadler's first ever win and first top five of his career. It was the Wood Brothers points win since Morgan Shepherd at Atlanta in March of 1993 (Michael Waltrip won The Winston in 1996 for the Wood Brothers). The 17th different driver to win for the Wood Brothers in their long history and their first ever at Bristol. It was also the 4th first time winner in the last 7 Winston Cup races (Nadeau at Atlanta in 2000, Waltrip at Daytona, Harvick at Atlanta and now Elliott). #43-John Andretti was 2nd and came close to giving Dodge it's first win and Andretti's best finish of the year beating last weeks 6th. #4-Kevin Lapage gave Morgan-McClure it's best finish of the year with a 15th place finish in his first run in the car after starting 42nd. See results at: Unofficial Results. See 42 photos online from Elliott Sadler's winning weekend at his official website: www.sadlerfanclub.com(3-25-2001)

  • The 17 Wood Bros Winners: The 17 drivers to win Winston Cup races in Wood Brothers-owned cars are Glen Wood, Speedy Thompson, Marvin Panch, Tiny Lund, Dan Gurney, Curtis Turner, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Parnelli Jones, Donnie Allison, A.J. Foyt, Neil Bonnett, Buddy Baker, Kyle Petty, Morgan Shepherd, Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler.(That's Racin'), quite a list. It was the 97th win for the Wood Brotherss and the 90th win in car # 21(3-25-2001)

  • Special Wood Bros News: Next week Wednesday will mark a very special occasion for the founding member of the Wood Brothers Racing dynasty - his 50th wedding anniversary. Glen and Bernece Wood will celebrate their anniversary week together as they have pretty much every year since their wedding February 7, 1951, at the races. As Wood Brothers Racing enters it's 51st season in racing, Glen and Bernece are travelling separately to Florida for the sport's 43rd running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Fifty years ago the newly weds spent their honeymoon in Daytona Beach. Some years the couple couldn't be together at all on their anniversary. With three children Bernece was busy at home while Glen pursued first his own driving career and then went on to become the owner of one of the most famous and successful teams in the sport. So on February 7, 2001 the Woods plan a quiet celebration of their marital milestone - dinner out with close friends. The following day Glen will go down to Daytona with the boys, Eddie and Len, for the start of Speedweeks. Then a week later Bernece will go down with daughter Kim for the Twin 125's and the 500. As Jon Wood enters his first Winston West race in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend, his team will run a special logo on the rear quarters of the #50 Ford Taurus. Wood's #50 will have doubly special meaning this week, as it celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Jon's grandparents, Glen and Bernece Wood, who were married on February 7, 1951. Coincidentally, the number 50 is the first number that Glen used in his racing career. Glen began racing in 1950, when he paid $50 for his first car and then numbered it 50. Also, the Wood Brothers Racing Team just celebrated being in racing 50 years during the 2000 Winston Cup Racing season.(Wood Bros PR)(2-2-2001)

  • Wood Bros to the West: Jon Wood and Wood Brothers Racing announced that they will race in the NASCAR Winston West race in Phoenix on February 4, 2001. Wood will sport car #50, the same number his legendary grandfather, Glen Wood, donned when he made his first NASCAR sanctioned race more than a half century ago. Although Wood has yet to finalize his plans for the 2001 season his intentions are clear: to run some NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or Busch Series races this season. Wood is currently seeking sponsorship for the race and feels the resources he has available for his West Coast debut will prove valuable to potential sponsors(Wood Bros Racing/Cox Marketing)(1-23-2001)

    2000 News

  • Sadler tests at Kentucky and... The #21 Wood Brothers Motorcraft Race Team ended the two-day test Wednesday at the Kentucky Speedway. Driver Elliott Sadler's best speed was 182.400mph on the new 1.5-mile tri-oval track. Sadler was joined by the third generation of the Wood family, Jon Wood, on the track who ran a lap of 180.000mph. It was the first opportunity that new crew chief Pat Tryson and Sadler had to work together. The Wood Brothers are looking for a sponsor for Jon Wood next year in either a limited NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or Winston West schedule. The team carried an extra car along to give Wood a little seat time in a Cup car. The car he tested was the vehicle that Elliott Sadler drove to a 16th place finish at the Pocono 500 this past June. This was Jon's first time in a Cup car on track larger than 3/4 of a mile(Wood Brothers PR)(12-7-2000)

  • #21 Crew Chief UPDATE: #16 team owner, Jack Roush, confirmed that Pat Tryson, who is now Lepage's crew chief, will move over to become Elliott Sadler's crew chief with the Wood Brothers team next year(That's Racin')(11-6-2000)
    UPDATE: After Kevin Lepage's #16 team failed to make the field for the NAPA 500 Saturday, Lepage's crew chief, Pat Tryson, joined the Wood Brothers' #21 team and driver Elliott Sadler, effective immediately. Lepage's #16 team is folding after failing to find a sponsor for the 2001 season. Tryson's move has been rumored for a month or longer(That's Racin')(11-19-2000)

  • Motorcraft Gets Early Start: Motorcraft, the Ford Motor Company brand of quality automotive components, will return to sponsoring the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford at Atlanta this weekend. Originally Motorcraft was to return to NASCAR competition next February at the 2001 Daytona 500. Motorcraft reached agreement with the Wood Brothers and their longtime sponsor, CITGO, on a late-season sponsor swap(NOL) - see images of the car in the 2001 section of the Paint Schemes Gallery(11-14-2000)

  • #21 Crew Chief: #16 team owner, Jack Roush, confirmed that Pat Tryson, who is now Lepage's crew chief, will move over to become Elliott Sadler's crew chief with the Wood Brothers team next year(That's Racin')(11-6-2000)

  • #21 Crew Changes UPDATE 2: The #21 Wood Brothers team is in the process of making several personnel changes to their Cup team driven by Elliott Sadler, including the hiring of a new crew chief, which may occur as early as this week. Mike Beam, Sadler's crew chief November 1998, is expected to leave. Pat Tryson, the crew chief for #16-Kevin Lepage to replace Beam, sources said. The Wood Brothers and Lepage's car owner, Jack Roush, have a working partnership with Roush Racing producing car chassis for Sadler's team. The Wood Brothers has already hired Neil Perkins, a former crew chief in BGN and Late Model series, to help in weekly car preparation(That's Racin'). Hmm..wonder if this means the #16 team is history and Lepage has another gig set up, #4??(10-15-2000)
    UPDATE Beam to the #75: The #75 Galaxy Motorsports team with driver Wally Dallenbach Jr. announced the acquisition of veteran crew chief/mechanic Mike Beam. Beam has been named to the position of Team Manager and begins his duties starting today. According to team owner/president Darwin Oordt, Beam, 44, will oversee all competition-related issues while working closely with crew chief Newt Moore. The move is intended to provide one of the “missing performance ingredients” Oordt felt the team was lacking. Beam joins Galaxy after a two-season stint as crew chief with the Wood Brothers. His career began in 1981 at age 24 when he joined Petty Enterprises as a mechanic and was elevated to crew chief that same year. Since then Beam has served as crew chief in the Winston Cup Series for such noted teams as Bahari’ Racing (1988, ’89), Melling Racing (1990), Junior Johnson (1991-’95), Bill Elliott (1995-’98) and the Woods (1999 – 2000). Driver Dallenbach agrees the Beam acquisition should make Galaxy a consistent front runner in 2001. Galaxy in 2000 has run a consortium of three rotational primary sponsors consisting of Turner Broadcasting, RotoZip Power Tools and RedCell Batteries(Galaxy Motorsports PR) and The Wood Brothers Racing Team announced today that Mike Beam and the team have mutually agreed to part ways. Eddie Wood, co-car owner of the #21 CITGO Ford, stated, "We hope to have a new crew chief named within the next few weeks."(Cox Marketing)(10-17-2000)
    UPDATE 2: Pat Tryson, crew chief for Kevin Lepage(#16), will become the crew chief for the Wood Brothers and driver Elliott Sadler at the end of the season if not sooner, sources say. The Wood Brothers need a crew chief after Mike Beam 's departure last week. Brothers Len and Eddie Wood are sharing pit strategy duties on race day. Lepage drives for Roush Racing and the Wood Brothers have engines and some of their cars built by Roush Racing, so Tryson's move keeps him close to the organization(Roanoke Times)(10-23-2000)

  • #21 Crew Chief: Eddie and Len Wood will serve as co-crew chiefs for their #21 CITGO Ford driven by Elliott Sadler. The Woods released former crew chief Mike Beam earlier this week, and Beam has signed on with the #75 car driven by Wally Dallenbach as the Team Manager(AJC)(10-21-2000)

  • #21 and the USAF: The U.S. Air Force announced today it will advertise on the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Taurus, driven by Elliott Sadler and sponsored by Motorcraft Quality Parts, for the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup racing season. The Air Force continues to seek new advertising opportunities in its recruiting, retention and public awareness efforts. NASCAR is presently the fastest growing spectator sport in America, and the tie with the Air Force is natural. NASCAR has fast cars, drivers, crew chiefs and pit crews, all necessary for a winning team. The Air Force will recruit more than 34,000 young people in fiscal year 2001 and has a great need for recruits with mechanical and electrical skills. NASCAR races are where many of today's young people with those aptitudes spend their time(10-19-2000)

  • #21 Scheme: Elliott Sadler's #21 CITGO Ford will sport the same paint scheme Neil Bonnett drove when he raced the Wood Brothers Ford Thunderbird in 1989 at Talladega. Bonnett won 9 races in the Wood Brothers owned Ford and was a part of the famous "Alabama Gang".(Cox Marketing) See an image of the car at my Paint Schemes Gallery(10-10-2000)

  • #21 News UPDATE 2: The #21 Wood Brothers Ford with driver Elliott Sadler will have a 'different look at Charlotte for the UAW-GM Quality 500(MRN Radio Radio Coverage). Supposedly it will be the new sponsor, Motorcraft replacing CITGO who is moving to the #99(10-1-2000)
    UPDATE - Today: there will be an announcement about the Wood Brothers new sponsor on Wednesday Oct 4th in Charlotte, word is: Motorcraft
    UPDATE 2: Motorcraft, the Ford Motor Company brand of automotive components ranging from filters and spark plugs to engines and transmissions, returns to NASCAR Winston Cup racing in 2001 as the primary sponsor of Wood Brothers Racing. Today's announcement in Charlotte, North Carolina, made by Allen Benson, brand manager for Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD), ended months of speculation surrounding the status of Ford Customer Service Division's sponsorship plans in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. The Wood Brothers, acknowledged pioneers in the sport of stock car auto racing, are the winningest team in Ford Racing history with 96 NASCAR victories in 50 years of competition. Eddie and Len Wood, sons of Glen Wood and nephews to Leonard Wood, carry on the legacy of one of NASCAR's most revered teams. Elliott Sadler will drive the #21 Motorcraft Ford Taurus. A longtime team sponsor in NASCAR Winston Cup, Ford Customer Service Division named Bud Moore Engineering's Ford Thunderbirds with Motorcraft from 1985-1993 and with Quality Care from 1994-1995. From 1996-2000, FCSD teamed with Ford Credit to co-sponsor Robert Yates Racing's #88 Quality Care Service/Ford Credit Thunderbirds and Tauruses. Motorcraft has enjoyed significant success in auto racing, winning several NASCAR races with Bud Moore, five NHRA Pro Stock championships with Bob Glidden, and numerous road racing and off-road truck titles from 1985 - 1993(Wood Bros PR)(10-4-2000)

  • #99 and #21 Sponsor News UPDATE 3: as reported a few weeks ago, CITGO will be the primary sponsor on the #99 Ford in 2001, hearing the paint scheme will not be the familiar red-orange/white/black but would be red, white, and blue. The #21 Wood Bros Ford is supposed to get Ford Quality Credit and be announced at Charlotte(9-10-2000)
    UPDATE: hearing that starting with the race at Charlotte in October, the #99 Ford will carry the CITGO colors for the balance of the 2000 season as CITGO has purchased the space from Exide. Exide continues to downgrade it's motorsports expenses and while they have expressed interest in remaining as an associate sponsor on the #99 for the 2001 season, it's only a slight chance as they continue to downsize in the company(9-11-2000)
    UPDATE 2: hearing the Ford 'brand' that will be featured on the #21 Ford will be Motorcraft which used to be featured on the #15 Bud Moore Fords back into the early 90's(9-14-2000)
    UPDATE 3: CITGO Petroleum has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday October 3, 2000 in Charlotte where they will announce their sponsorship for the remainder of the 2000 series and the 2001 campaign. It is speculated that they will move to Roush Racing and sponsor the #99 Jeff Burton driven car. Ford is expected to be moving to the #21 Wood Brothers team next season with the Motorcraft banner(Racin' Network)(9-26-2000)

  • 1000 Races: Wood Brothers Racing celebrates the start of their 1,000th race this weekend and will sport the colors of the team's founder, Glen Wood. The solid red racecar flashes back to the 1950's when Wood owned and piloted the famed Wood Brothers racecar. Glen Wood founded Wood Brothers Racing as a hobby, now it's their life and has been for the past five decades. He and his brothers decided they wanted to go racing and nominations moved that Glen be the driver. Since the team's origination, Glen has won as a driver, car owner and grandfather over the past 50 years. His list of driver's speaks for itself with 17 of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers listed on the Wood Brothers Racing resume. Elliott Sadler currently pilots the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford and is delighted to be able to represent the team in such a memorable year(Cox Marketing Group), see an image of the car in the Paint Schemes Gallery(9-26-2000)

  • #21 Sponsor: look for the #21 Wood Brothers team and driver Elliott Sadler to announce their new primary sponsor at Charlotte in October. Quality Care/Ford Credit(or some sort of Ford sponsorship), who is rumored to be leaving the #88 RYR team, will supposedly be named the new sponsor(RPM 2Day on Sunday)(9-4-2000)

  • #21 News and Paint: Elliott Sadler will be racing for a win at the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend, but he'll also be gunning for an even bigger victory -- the end of neuromuscular diseases. Sadler's Wood Brothers owned CITGO Ford will carry a special white and blue paint scheme to promote the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Elliott Sadler will wear a special MDA driver's suit and helmet, which along with the hood of the #21 car, will be auctioned to benefit MDA following the race. Both events will be held Labor Day weekend: the Telethon on Sept. 3 and 4, and the Southern 500 on Sept. 3 at Darlington. Leading up to the weekend, die-cast models of Sadler's #21 car with the MDA paint scheme are being sold at CITGO-branded convenience stores, gas outlets and various NASCAR souvenir retailers. A percentage of the sale of these unique, 1/64 scale collectible cars will benefit MDA(Cox Marketing). See image of the Scheme on the Paint Schemes Gallery(8-30-2000)

  • Exide Out? UPDATE 2 yep It's OFFICIAL: Exide Batteries, who will leave the #99 Roush CTS Truck at the end of the year, may be leaving the #99 Cup team of Jeff Burton too. Rumors have CITGO moving from the #21 Wood Bros Ford and moving to the #99 (was rumored on the #16 too). Supposedly, Quality Care/Ford Credit(being replaced on the #88 with UPS) will go to the Wood Bros. ALSO hearing that Roush Racing sent out a fax on Wednesday(8/23) saying that Exide would not return as the primary sponsor for the #99 in 2001 and that they are looking for a sponsor
    UPDATE: Exide Corp., which sponsors the #99 Fords of Jeff Burton, has informed the team of its intention not to return next season. Exide has a contract with Roush Racing and Burton's team through the 2001 season. The company has undergone financial difficulties over the past several months and is re-evaluating its entire involvement in motorsports. Sources said Friday that Burton's car owner, Jack Roush, was aware of the company's thinking and already has plans in the works for a new sponsor for Burton's team. A formal announcement of Exide's departure is expected Monday(That's Racin')(8-25-2000)
    UPDATE 2: Exide isn't expected to return next season as Jeff Burton's sponsor, and Geoff Smith, head of Roush Racing, says he's looking for a major new sponsor of the caliber of Pfizer, the company that will be backing Mark Martin the next five years at $12($15?) million a year. Kevin Lepage will be back for another season with Jack Roush, Smith said. CITGO will probably not be back as sponsor for the Wood Brothers, Smith said; Quality Care could be their new sponsor(PitNow). Expect an announcement this week about Exide leaving and CITGO being the new #99 sponsor(8-27-2000)
    UPDATE 3: Exide will shift the focus of its motorsports programs to an associate sponsorship of the Roush Racing Team while retaining the company's association with NASCAR. Total savings will be approximately $15 million annually, beginning in October 2000(Yahoo Biz) AND Roush Racing announced Monday that Exide Batteries would not continue its primary sponsorship of the #99 Ford driven by Jeff Burton. Exide will retain an associate sponsorship with the team(NOL)(8-28-2000)

  • Sadlers BGN plans: Andy Petree Racing has announced today that Elliott Sadler will finish the season in the #15 Hot Tamales Chevy in the Busch Series. Sadler will race at Richmond, Rockingham, and Phoenix. The team also fields the #15 Albertsons Chevrolet driven by Mike Skinner. Driver Derrick Gilchrist will remain an employee of Andy Petree Racing(APR PR)(8-28-2000)

  • Sadler Triple Play: Elliott Sadler will also run all three races at RIR, returning to the BGN series(ride not mentioned) and driving the #84 Ford F-150 owned by Long Brothers Racing of Apex, NC. Robert Long said at Chicago that the Wood Brothers pit crew would tend Sadler's truck at Richmond. Long said the team expected to be able to announce a sponsor some time this week. Sadler is scheduled to test at Richmond this week in preparation for the upcoming races(NOL)(8-28-2000)

  • Sadler to test at RIR: Elliott Sadler and the Wood Brothers #21 CITGO Race Team have scheduled a two-day test at Richmond International Raceway on August 29th and 30th. The test will allow the team to prepare for the upcoming September race where the team will run a special Virginia Tech paint scheme(see the images of the car at the Paint Schemes Gallery). One of the cars to be used in the test is the second car produced by the recently formed Roush Alliance. The alliance allows the Wood Brothers team to utilize chassis, bodies and motors from a central source. The alliance debuted in Daytona with a 10th place qualifying effort and an 18th place finish(Cox Marketing Group)(8-23-2000)

  • CITGO to move? #16? UPDATE Word from insiders is that Citgo, long-time sponsor of the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford, could end up on Roush's #16 next season, with Ford Quality Care, pushed off Robert Yates' #88 (by UPS), taking over as the Woods' primary sponsor. Other sources say, however, that Roush's #16, with driver Kevin Lepage, is not on solid ground. Word is that Lepage has been allowed to look for other rides and that, if definite sponsorship is not soon forthcoming, the team might be folded(SpeedVision)(8-6-2000)
    UPDATE, #16 in trouble? Winston Cup driver Kevin Lepage said Tuesday his car owner, Jack Roush, has informed him that if a new sponsor isn't found for his #16 Fords for next season, the team will shut down. Lepage entered this season without a sponsor, but Roush vowed he would run the team with or without one and run the team out of his own pocket, if needed. Shortly into the season, Roush added an Internet company as a sponsor, but it was a stock-option agreement, not immediate financial backing for the team. With the agreement ending at season's end, Lepage said Roush is working to secure a new sponsor but will not commit again to running the team without necessary funding. Lepage said Roush has assured him that if he is unable to secure sponsorship, Roush will not hold Lepage back from other driving opportunities(That's Racin')(8-8-2000)

  • Big Rigs UPDATE: Talladega Superspeedway is talking with Jimmy Spencer and other Winston Cup drivers about driving in the Monster truck race on the eve of the Oct. 14 Winston 500(AJC)(7-1-2000)
    UPDATE: You might think going around Talladega Superspeedway at 200 mph, four cars wide would satisfy thrill seekers like Jimmy Spencer and Elliott Sadler. In a normal "White Knuckle Weekend" it would, but this October Mr. Excitement and the man with the thick Virginia drawl will square off in a Monster Truck race on the eve of the NASCAR Winston Cup Winston 500. At 8:00pm on Oct. 14 under temporary lights, the two NASCAR Winston Cup drivers will wrap their hands around the steering wheel of a Monster Truck, a vehicle weighing in at more than 10,000 pounds and propelled by engines that generate 2,500 horsepower. These trucks can cover Talladega’s 600-foot course in under 10 seconds(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(8-7-2000)

  • Big Rigs: Talladega Superspeedway is talking with Jimmy Spencer and other Winston Cup drivers about driving in the Monster truck race on the eve of the Oct. 14 Winston 500(AJC)(7-1-2000)

  • Another #21 Paint Scheme? UPDATE 2: Negotiations are ongoing for the Wood Brothers to run a special Virginia Tech paint scheme on Elliott Sadler 's #21 CITGO Ford for a race this season. An announcement is expected July 11 and the paint scheme would appear on a car in the fall race at Richmond(Roanoke Times)(6-28-2000)
    UPDATE: Elliott Sadler and the #21 CITGO Ford are teaming up with Virginia Tech at Richmond in September. The press conference and official unveiling of the "Hokie car" will take place at noon on July 11, 2000 at the University Bookstore on the Virginia Tech Campus. Elliott Sadler, the Wood Brothers, Doug Fritz - President of Richmond International Raceway and other university dignitaries will be available after the press conference for photo opportunities and to answer questions(Cox Marketing)(7-6-2000)
    UPDATE 2: see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery and also a batch of images at the Cox Marketing site(7-12-2000)

  • Wood Bros/Roush Alliance starts: The Wood Brothers recently announced an expanded program with Roush Racing. The program includes the supply of motors, chassis and bodies to the team during the 2000 season. The official debut of this newly formed alliance takes place this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The Wood Brothers have retained sole ownership of the No. 21 CITGO Ford(Cox Marketing)(6-28-2000)

  • #21 Retro Look at Daytona: Elliott Sadler and the Wood Brothers CITGO Ford flash back four decades this weekend at Daytona, hoping to capture the magic of the 1960s. The Wood Brothers earned 31 wins during that decade - the most impressive of which came in 1963. The special 1963 paint scheme this weekend represents when Tiny Lund replaced Marvin Panch at the 1963 Daytona 500. The win marked the first of four triumphs at the Daytona 500 by the Wood Brothers team(Cox Marketing) See an image of the car in the Paint Scheme Gallery(6-27-2000)

  • Wood Brothers and Roush: The Wood Brothers Winston Cup #21 CITGO team and its driver, Elliott Sadler, will begin running cars built by Roush Racing in the July 1 Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Team co-owner Eddie Wood said he has reached an agreement with Roush Racing owner Jack Roush to race cars supplied by Roush's operation throughout the 2001 season. The Roush-built Taurus that Sadler is scheduled to drive in Daytona is an "early" delivery on that order, and Wood said the team may use Roush cars in a few other races this season. The Wood brothers have used Roush engines for two years(in part from the Greenville News)(6-16-2000)

  • #21 Tests: Greg Biffle has been selected to substitute for Elliott Sadler at the Wood Brothers' test session in Talladega, AL. Biffle was selected after Sadler's Physician advised him to stay home and rest for a couple of days following his crash in Saturday's final Winston Cup practice session. Sadler was cleared to race in Sunday's Kmart 400 at Michigan. The team wants to make sure Sadler is 100% at Pocono. Biffle also tested for Winston Cup veteran Mark Martin earlier in the season. The test is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday(Cox Marketing)(6-12-2000)

  • More Sadler: Elliott Sadler was involved in a horrific accident Saturday afternoon after his right-rear tire blew entering turn 1. The accident happened in NASCAR's final practice session, which is known as Happy Hour. Sadler was examined and released from the infield care center. Sadler and the CITGO Team have unloaded the backup car which forces the team to forfeit their 21st place starting position(6-11-2000)

  • #21 News: The Wood Brothers recently closed their satellite race shop in Mooresville, NC, the based team had rented a shop so some crew members based in the Mooresville area could work close to home. The team hung bodies on the cars at that shop, but when Newt Moore, who was leading the work in Mooresville, left the team to become (#75)Wally Dallenbach 's crew chief, the Wood Brothers decided to close the shop. Also, the team is negotiating with sponsor CITGO to extend its contract with the team(Roanoke Times)(6-10-2000)

  • Wood Bros Paint UPDATE: The Wood Brothers have decided to decorate Elliott Sadler's #21 CITGO Ford identical to the paint scheme David Pearson drove from 1972 - 1978 in honor of the 70's decade. Pearson drove the famed Wood Brothers #21 car to 43 victories and 51 poles. During the 1970's at Lowe's Motor Speedway, the Wood Brothers posted 14 pole positions, 12 of which were consecutive, and accumulated 3 wins(Cox Marketing PR). See an image of the scheme in the Paint Schemes Gallery(5-23-2000)
    UPDATE: added a real image of the car sent in from Cox Marketing, see it in the Paint Schemes Gallery(5-24-2000)

  • Sadler to test: Elliott Sadler and the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Team will test the #21 CITGO Ford at New River Valley Speedway located in Radford, VA on Wednesday in preparation for this week’s race in Richmond(Cox Marketing)(5-3-2000)

  • #21 News: Chris Rice has joined Wood Brothers Racing as shock specialist for the #21 CITGO Ford. Rice formerly served as shock specialist for Buckshot Jones in the BGN series(Cox Marketing)(4-27-2000)

  • On This Date in Wood Brothers History: The year was 1972 when the Wood Brothers Racing Team won the Miller High Life 500 from the pole with driver A.J. Foyt at Ontario, California. The win marked the 25th superspeedway win for the Wood Brothers and Foyt's fourth and final win with the team. Foyt and the Wood Brothers won a purse of $25,595(Cox Marketing)(4-27-2000)

  • Sadler to run Martinsville: Elliott Sadler plans to go the full 500 laps this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in the #21 CITGO Ford, a week after suffering cuts on his left shoulder after a crash at Texas. No plans to have a relief driver(Total Sports)(4-7-2000)

  • Sadler OK: As reported on CBS during the race, #21-Elliott Sadler, who wrecked early in the race, was ok after hurting his shoulder. The left shoulder is bruised and x-rays were negative. Kyle Petty who failed to qualify for the race, subbed in the car for a while, and finished 39th. Petty drove for the Wood Brothers back in the mid 1980's(4-2-2000)

  • A Little History: On This Date In Wood Brothers History: The date was April 2, 1967 when Cale Yarborough qualified the Wood Brothers Ford on the pole and went on to win the Atlanta 500. The win marked the 10th superspeedway win for the Wood Brothers and the 1st for Cale Yarborough(Cox Marketing Group-see PR's)(3-31-2000)

  • Sadler Tests: #21-Elliott Sadler tested the Wood Brothers Ford at Martinsville Speedway on Thursday, turning a fast lap of 93.511mph. The track record is 95.275mph set last year by Tony Stewart. The car tested has never been raced but the team tested it last fall at Greenville-Pickens Speedway and it was the fastest of five cars they tested there. Did you know? It was 1973 the last time the Wood Brothers Racing Team went to Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway with David Pearson(Martinsville Speedway)(3-24-2000)

  • #21 Crew: When the #21 CITGO Ford begins Sunday's CUP race, the pit crew will be different for the first time in the 2000 season. The Wood Brothers have opted to add rear tire carrier Dewayne Colbard, and rear tire changer Chris Hladik. Eddie Wood, the last of the Winston Cup car owners to go over pit wall on race day, has decided not to continue with going over wall during pit stops and says it is time for a change. Len Wood, also co-owner of the CITGO Ford, says the change is being made in an effort to have faster pit stops; an area where the Wood Brothers are notorious for performing well. The Wood Brothers Racing Team has been tempted to switch to the "indexing" method during the first three weeks of the season and they believe this week is the team's chance to shine. The indexing method allows the tire changers to only remove and tighten the lug nuts. The removal and placing of the tire will fall on a the jackman and the tire carriers. The Wood Brothers are often credited with creating the first organized pit stop. Since its inception, the rules, technology, and organization of the stop have progressed, but the Wood Brothers expectations consist of being the best on pit road(Cox Marketing Group)(3-11-2000)

  • Virginia Lottery: Rick Mast said he's one of seven Virginia drivers who will be featured on a new lottery game expected to debut this spring. The other Cup and BGN drivers are Jeff and Ward Burton, Elliott and Hermie Sadler and Kevin and Wayne Grubb(Roanoke Times)(3-12-2000)

  • #21 Paint: In recognition of the Wood Brothers accomplishments in racing over the past 50 years, five different historical paint schemes, representing five different decades, will appear throughout the season. The first will debut this weekend on the CITGO Ford at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The paint scheme in Atlanta will flash back to 1993 when the Wood Brothers received their most recent win, which came with former driver Morgan Shepherd(Cox Marketing), see the image of the car at Jayski's Paint Scheme Gallery(3-8-2000)

  • Wood Brothers Fact: On March 5, 1972, A.J. Foyt climbed into the Wood Brothers Ford and drove it to Victory Lane in Ontario, CA at the 2.5 mile speedway. Foyt and the Wood Brothers sat on the pole and took home a purse of $25,595. The win at Ontario in 1972 marked the 39th victory in the Wood Brothers Racing career, their 25th superspeedway win, and the fourth and final win with Foyt as their driver. ALSO: The Wood Brothers exceeded the $15,000,000 mark in career earnings this past weekend at Rockingham(Cox Marketing PR)(3-3-2000)

  • #21 NC Shop Update: In addition to serving as the team’s shock engineer during the 2000 season, Winston Cup veteran Newt Moore will also oversee the Wood Brothers aerodynamic and sheet metal program. Moore will command the bodies of the CITGO Ford driven by Elliott Sadler and the bodies of third generation Hooters Pro Cup driver Jon Wood. The Wood Brothers will move into their new shop located just off Interstate 85 on Saturday, February 5, 2000 in Kannapolis, NC(Cox Marketing)(2-3-2000)

  • Cox Marketing Group: Sadler Gears Up For His Sophomore Season(1-27-2000)

  • Wood Bros to NC UPDATE: The legendary Wood Brothers, who run the #21 Ford for Elliott Sadler in Cup, have established a satellite shop in the Mooresville, N.C. Crew chief Mike Beam said the #21 team would build chassis and hang bodies at a new plant in the Mooresville area. The Woods, who have raced out of Stuart, VA., have resisted the trend that a Cup team must reside in the Charlotte area to be sucessful. The new shop could give the team access to cutting-edge personnel and the latest technology. The new shop, which is up and running with four employees, will build chassis with basic sheet metal in the Mooresville shop. The cars will then be sent to Stuart for engines and final prep. The team will continue to receive all its engines from Jack Roush, with whom the Woods have established a strong cooperative relationship. The Woods also have retained top chassis builder Steve Levitt to do exclusive work for them at the Mooresville plant(condensed from SpeedVision/Ben Blake)(1-14-2000) -- UPDATE: The Wood Brothers will mark their 50th year in racing with five historic paint schemes on the No. 21 Ford driven by Elliott Sadler(Speed Magazine)(1-16-2000)

  • Wood Bros and 50th: To begin the celebration of the Wood Brothers "50 Years in Racing", the Lowe's Motor Speedway Media Tour will visit Stuart, VA on Thursday, January 13, 2000. The program will begin at 12:45pm/et. The program will begin with Master of Ceremonies Barney Hall. After explaining the purpose of the Wood Brothers "50 Years in Racing", Hall will have an open panel discussion with ten special guests including: Elliott Sadler - Current Wood Brothers Driver; David Pearson - Past Wood Brothers Driver; Glen Wood - Founder of Wood Brothers Racing - 1st Generation; Leonard Wood - Past Wood Brothers Crew Chief - 1st Generation; Eddie Wood - Team Owner - 2nd Generation; Len Wood - Team Owner - 2nd Generation; Mike Beam - Current Wood Brothers Crew Chief; Randy Tolsma - CITGO Craftsman Truck Series Driver; Nigel Hook - CITGO Offshore Racing Driver; Jon Wood - Hooters Pro Cup Driver - 3rd Generation. Each special guest will be introduced and interviewed by Hall. After the panel discussions have concluded, the panel will be open to questions from the audience. Following the panel discussion, the program will continue with: Unveiling of the Year 2000 CITGO Ford Taurus, One-on-One Interviews with all Special Guests, Displaying of the Five Historical Paint Schemes Which Will Appear Throughout the 2000 Season, Touring of the Old Wood Brothers Race Shop and Touring of the Current Wood Brothers Museum(Cox Marketing Group)(1-7-2000 reposted 1-13-2000)

  • New #21 Assoc: hearing that Pepperidge Farm has signed on as an associate sponsor with the #21 CITGO/Wood Brothers Ford driven by Elliott Sadler for the 2000 season featuring the Goldfish Crackers(12-27-1999)

  • #21 MVP: Mike "Andretti" Smith was named the 1999 season MVP for Wood Brothers Racing on Friday, December 17, 1999. Smith received the honor in front of his teammates and peers from other Ford teams at the 2nd Annual Taurus Team Party, which was held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Smith's position with the team is car chief, and he is also the rear tire changer for the #21 CITGO Ford on race day(CITGO PR)(12-20-1999)

  • Wood Bros News: Former #9 Melling crew chief Newt Moore has been hired as a shock specialist for the #21 Wood Brothers CITGO team and driver Elliott Sadler(CITGO PR)(12-17-1999)

  • Wood Brothers News: Wood Brothers Racing, which owns and operates the Winston Cup #21 CITGO Ford, hired Terry Smith to help direct the "50 Years in Racing" licensing program. Smith owns Terry Smith Enterprises and also directs all licensing aspects for Michael Waltrip and other licensees. Smith will be responsible for overseeing all licensing as it relates to Wood Brothers Racing and driver Elliott Sadler. Smith is actively pursuing several opportunities with manufacturers and distributors to promote the "Wood Brothers 50 Years in Racing". The Wood Brothers will celebrate "50 Years in Racing" during the entire 2000 season. "2000 is going to be a big year for Wood Brothers Racing," said co-car owner Eddie Wood. "Weare getting the right people in place to make the season a success both on and off the track."(CITGO PR)(12-6-1999)

  • Chrysler/Wood Bros? On the Chrysler front? That's a possibility for the Wood Brothers(#21 CITGO Ford), according to sources close to the Jack Roush operation, which would provide Dodge engines for such an effort(PitNow)(10-23-1999)

  • Noticed during the Happy Hour telecast, the #21 has O'Reilly Auto Parts on the dash and on the lower rear 1/4 panels(10-9-1999)

  • Rookies: Elliott Sadler was the Rookie of the race for the first time this year. Tony Stewart had been every race except one, when Buckshot Jones was the highest finishing ROTY candidate at Las Vegas. See my ROTY rules and standings page(10-3-1999)

  • Overlooked: Elliott Sadler, mostly overlooked in his rookie season this year because of the phenomenal season Tony Stewart is having, has averaged 92.51 points per race. Compared to the past five rookies of the year, only Johnny Benson and Ricky Craven averaged a higher point accumulation during their rookie season(CITGO PR)(9-27-1999)

  • Wood Bros/Donlavey Honored UPDATE: In honor of the Wood Brothers longevity with Ford Racing, Edsel B. Ford II will present the Wood Brothers with the Spirit of Ford Award in honor of their accomplishments in Racing. The reception and ceremony is scheduled for 6:00pm/et on Thursday, September 9, 1999 in the Virginia World Building at the Richmond International Raceway. Ford representatives will be in attendance, along with NASCAR drivers, members of the media, Winston Cup and Richmond track officials. The Wood Brothers Racing Team is one of the most successful and historical teams in NASCAR. The Wood Brothers have made their mark on NASCAR by setting many records that still stand today. Records such as 80 superspeedway wins, 53 500-mile wins, 87 superspeedway poles and 26 superspeedway races won from the pole. The Wood Brothers have accumulated a total of 96 wins and 112 pole positions. When NASCAR named the 50 greatest drivers from 1948-1998, seventeen of those 50 drivers had piloted a Wood Brothers racecar. The team is headquartered in Stuart, Virginia and is owned by Glen Wood, Kim Wood Hall, Len Wood and Eddie Wood(Cox Marketing PR)(9-7-1999) -- UPDATE: Ford will also honor Junie Donlavey, owner of the #90 Ford, who is celebrating his 50th year in NASCAR and has been in a Ford for most of them(9-8-1999)

  • #21 Colors: Elliott Sadler will have a new look when he rolls into Darlington for the Pepsi Southern 500.. Sadler's Wood Brothers owned CITGO Ford will carry a special red, white and blue paint scheme to promote the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The telethon is MDA's single most important fund-raising event, and CITGO is MDA's largest national corporate sponsor. The telethon began in 1966 and served as the first televised fund-raising event to raise more than $1 million in pledges. CITGO Petroleum Corporation's involvement with MDA is a 13-year old relationship that CITGO CEO and President David J. Tippeconnic strongly supports. Elliott Sadler will also have a special MDA-design driver's suit and helmet which will be auctioned off to benefit MDA following the Pepsi Southern 500(CITGO PR)(8-25-1999)

  • Sadler OK: After hitting the wall in second round qualifying at Pocono, Elliott Sadler was sent to a nearby hospital where he received x-rays on his left foot. The x-rays revealed no breaks or fractures. Sadler’s left foot has fully recovered from the crash and he is 100% this week at INDY. Sadler will pilot the blue #21 CITGO SUPERGARD Online 500 car this weekend in INDY. The SUPERGARD Online 500 is a free internet contest for race fans and the contest offers five hundred prizes. One lucky winner will drive away from the Atlanta Motor Speedway in a new 1999 Ford Taurus SHO on November 21, 1999(CITGO/Cox PR)(8-3-1999)

  • Sadler rests: Elliott Sadler will skip the BGN race at Gateway to heal from the crash he had in second-round qualifying at Pocono last weekend. Sadler bruised his left foot. He was to drive the #35 Team Amick Pontiac(News and Record)(7-28-1999)

  • Not Needed: Morgan Shepherd was not at Pocono on Sunday. The Wood Brothers told him Saturday night he could go home and that rookie Elliott Sadler, who bruised his left foot in a crash, would be able to drive all day. Sadler finished 21st(News and Record)(7-26-1999)

  • Sadler Hurt: Elliott Sadler wrecked during 2nd round qualifying and injured(sprained) his left(clutch) foot. X-rays were negative and Sadler practice the #21 CITGO Ford for most of the Happy Hour practice. Morgan Shepherd practiced for the final 10 minutes and will stand by if relief is needed for Sadler(NOL)(7-25-1999)

  • Sadler Tests the #21 CITGO Ford on Wednesday(today) at Greenville Pickens Speedway to test their new car which will race at Loudon this weekend(Cox PR)(7-7-1999)

  • Another Wood Winner: 17 year-old Jon Wood of Stuart, VA took his first victory of his short Winston Racing Series LMSC career at NRVS Saturday night in the Tonka Toys/Nerf Ford Taurus. Wood, grandson NASCAR legend Glen Wood and son of Eddie Wood of Wood Brothers racing fame(#21 CITGO Ford with driver Elliott Sadler), took the lead from his outside pole starting position and never looked back(Latemodelstock.com)(6-28-1999)

  • Sadler Blue: Elliott Sadler will drive the same #21 Blue colored CITGO Ford has ran at Charlotte this weekend at Michigan(RPM2Nite)(6-11-1999)

  • Road Test School: Since the teams are on the West Coast, several drivers are taking time to test at Sears Point, and some of NASCAR's newest drivers, such as Tony Stewart and Elliott Sadler, have gone back to school for a few days, road-racing school(PitNow)(5-1-1999)

  • Martinsville Testing UPDATE: Elliott Sadler and the #21 CITGO Ford tested at Martinsville Monday and will test there again on Tuesday(WC Today Radio)(3-22-1999) -- UPDATE: Sadler again tested Tuesday with Petty truck driver, Jimmy Hensley. The #21 team spent much time testing shock, no speeds(SpeedNet)(3-24-1999)

  • Martinsville Testing: Elliott Sadler and the #21 CITGO Ford tested at Martinsville Monday and will test there again on Tuesday(WC Today Radio)(3-22-1999)

  • Sadler in for Santerre: Country.com Motorsports has learned that Elliott Sadler will substitute for recuperating BGN racer Andy Santerre in the #47 BGN Chevy, effective immediately. Sadler will pilot the car until Santerre is fully recovered from leg injuries he sustained in a grinding crash in the BGN season opener at Daytona. Santerre, the 1998 Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the BGN, is expecting to return to the series in June. To see a TV interview with Andy Santerre and get an update of his recovery and racing plans, tune into TNN's RaceDay this Sunday, February 28th, at 11:00am/et(TNN Motorsports)(2-25-1999)

  • Testing: I hear Michael Waltrip tested the #7 Chevy and Elliott Sadler tested the #21 Ford at Greenville-Pickens speedway on Tuesday, no speeds(2-17-1999)

  • Talladega Testing:Elliott Sadler tested the #21 CITGO Ford at Talladega. Three BGN teams, #'s 6, 23 and 78 tested also(WC Today Radio)(2-3-1999)

  • Beam Gone from the #94 to the #21 UPDATE 3: Hearing rumors that Team Manager Mike Beam and Owner/Driver Bill Elliott have parted ways, no confirmation on this yet. Elliott owns/drives the #94 McDonald's Ford and owns the #13 Ford team. -- Winston Cup Today radio reports that the team says this is not true. But....I hear he is looking at his options and they may include the #28 team(11-12-1998) -- Am now hearing that Beam has left the Elliott team and that the #28 team may be an option for 1999. -- No #28 but.....At the beginning of December, Mike Beam, will join forces with driver Elliott Sadler and the Wood Brothers Racing Team. Beam has served as crew chief for driver Bill Elliott since 1995 before taking his current role of chief operating officer with Bill Elliott Racing in 1998. Beam will serve as the crew chief for the #21 CITGO Ford and spearhead Elliott Sadler's campaign for rookie of the year. Initial plans are for Beam to work one or two days a week in Stuart, Virginia at the Wood Brothers' race shop and then oversee the team's operations at the race track.(GoRacing via CITGO Racing)(11-16-1998)

  • Sadler in Japan: Elliott Sadler will make his #21 Wood Brothers debut(doh, not Winston Cup debut) at Japan in the #21 CITGO Ford.(RPM2Nite)(11-5-1998)

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