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)
