#21 Team Past News and Rumors
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
2007 News
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 current #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 