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