02.15
NASCAR’s past met the present on Sunday at Daytona as Glen Wood, who nearly won the first-ever stock car race on the famed superspeedway, waved the green flag to start the 52nd running of the Daytona 500, a race that included his current car, the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion. Wood, 84, was honored along with his brother Leonard, who was the team’s chief mechanic and crew chief for decades, and his sons Eddie and Len, who steer the team’s efforts today.
Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig said Glen Wood, who ran short of fuel just shy of the finish for the first ever Daytona 500 qualifying race in 1959, then won the race four times as a car owner, was the perfect person to drop the green flag. “The Wood Brothers are legends in NASCAR,” Braig said. “They have an important place in both the history of the Daytona 500 and NASCAR, and it’s an honor to have Glen Wood wave the green flag for our sport’s biggest race of the year.” But the Woods aren’t just faces from the past, they’re a big part of the sport today, and the Woods’ #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, driven by two-time Daytona 500 winner Bill Elliott, was on the move in the early portions of the race.
Elliott started 40th, but was up to 27th by Lap 25. He maintained a position in the giant two-wide lead pack for the majority of the race, running mostly in the outside line. “We were just trying to get in a fairly safe position in the lead draft and save our car for the end,” Eddie Wood said.
But those plans hit a bump in the road, literally. When the track surface in turns one and two began to come apart, opening what amounted to a pot hole; the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion suffered damage to the right front, which included the all-important splitter and the braces that secure it. “The way the splitter was damaged, we really couldn’t fix it,” Wood said.
Elliott and the team soldiered on, and were hanging onto the lead draft into the first attempt at a green-white-checkered-flag finish, when Elliott suddenly veered into Joey Logano’s car, bringing out the caution flag and further damaging his own car. The crew patched up the damage as best they could, and Elliott brought the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion home in 27th place.
Elliott shouldered the blame for the Logano incident, even though it appeared on TV replays that the right front tire of his car was deflating just prior to the contact with Logano. “That was my fault down there,” he said. “I ran in on whoever I was following toward the middle and I had to check up a little bit, so when I started up Logano was on me,” he said. “I’m sure my spotter told me, but I didn’t hear him”. “What are you going to do with a green-white-checker? It’s just one of those things.”
And Elliott also said, like many of his fellow drivers, that the problems with the track, problems that caused two lengthy red-flag delays, were something that couldn’t be helped. “I hated to see that,” he said. “I wanted the race to go on and keep running, but we did the best we could, and we’ll do it again.”
Len Wood said that despite the misfortunes near the end of the 500, he left Daytona pleased with the team’s performances, including its fourth-place qualifying effort, and with the honors bestowed on his father and the family team. “All in all, it was a good two weeks,” he said.
Elliott and the Woods return to action the first week of March, in the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Elliott’s home track and the site of a series record 12 Cup victories for the Wood Brothers team.
Overall, I was pleased with the team. It proved to be a tough day with the splitter damage, and the starting and stopping of the race, but hey that’s racing. I know they hated wrecking the racecar, but we’ll take it. I already can’t wait for Atlanta, where the real racing starts
That was just a shame. Bill did a great job protecting his car. Staying out of trouble and when it was time to go he couldn’t because of the damage to the car from the pot hole. You have more patients then I do Bill. Hey Cindy how patient is Bill around the house? But, thats why the Woods Borthers got you in their equipment. I see positive things. I was really impressed with the pit stops. Now that the Daytona 500 is over, lets Get Bill on tracks that the driver has more imput on the outcome. Only good things to come.
It sure was neat to see Bill up racing in the pack. Just like the good old days!!
Great day for the Woods Bros too! A Class Act! Good luck at Atlanta.
Bill still looks racy. I wanted so badly to see him break into the top 10. I’d like to hear his thoughts on the new Ford engine, AND the 3 tries at a checkered rule. Personally I think it bites. At a place like Daytona with the cars bunched up due to those damn restrictor plates, Nascar seems to be inviting a crash fest in the final laps. Bill when you decide to hang it up for good, please consider being a part of Nascar’s front office. They need a past champion from the 80′s in a position to bring back old school racing. A time when a team could actually get a mechanical advantage, unlike today.
Bill and the new car looked really good all of speed weeks. I think the new engine and the crew looked a lot better too. Hope to see a top 15 or better at Atlanta.
what race was all of you watching still in the back if that is what you want thats fine but quit saying thats good job because its not
I would just like to say if people want to watch crashes then maybe they should all go to Demolition derby’s… Superspeedways are for showing SPEED not restrictor plate races !!
Cindy: Bill looked like he had a pretty good car, but it would have been nice if WBR would have had twitter going. It was an hour between tweets, I guess that was because all the photos had to be posted on facebook. We couldn’t learn anything on what was going on with the car, and nothing was ever posted on Bill’s wreck. I know you have nothing to do with this, but do you have a site we can go to at WBR to check this out? thanks.
Bill good job as always been a fan for 25 years. I wish you all the best with the Wood Bros in 2010.
Bill -stay speedy and most of all- have a safe racing season. Ford Fusion- way to go!
Happy 2010-:)
Race that #21 at Bristol, and Woods….get Bill a car up here at Kentucky Speedway! We need Bill in the bluegrass state!
Ronnie Cash, in a way I feel your pain, but things are a lot different know then they were 25 years ago. Back then, there were no restrictor plates, Bill had a top notch sponsor in coors, he was young and eager, Speed was the king pin at Daytona and Talladega, as Elliott fans we were proud that Bill was always the fastest thing on the track. But that was then, and this is now. Now, Bill is in Semi-retirement, driving for an owner that is not funding properly because of ; 1. The economy 2. Right before Bill started driving for the Woods Borthers, their performance wasn’t deeming of any big money. As Glenn Wood said in the in an article, Bill going to protect the car. For nearly 30 years, I watched Bill and I think he would tell you he had more car then a 28 place finish. Daytona speedweek can be summed up as the following; Bill qualified great, layed back in the 150 to protect the car, and layed back the first 175 laps of the 500, When it was time to go he had damage due to the track but he still gave it a shot and ended up getting into Lagano. No different than Jimmy Johnson luck. In summary, the woods brothers took home a check for 280,000 to the shop. If he did’t take care of the car they take nothing home. Nascar is all about ratings and money. They put the drivers out on the track knowing that there will be a big one. To them that is what sells. nascar doesn’t wrote checks to the car owner when they have to rebuild a 300,000 car. One Day a driver going to get killed out on that track at daytona or talladega due to these restrictor plates(oh thats right Dale Earnhardt lost his life). Ronnie, in closing, I’d rather see Bill be protective and safe at Daytona then end up like Earnhardt. He has a beautiful wife, son and lots of life to live. But, I’ll tell you this, I bet you he gives it hell the rest of the year! Also, Look at the gains that the Woods Bothers and Bill have made the past three years. Success isn’t graded on just one race. Bill I’m proud of your Daytona performance. I still remeber your last 30 laps at homestead. I see the improvements in the pit crew. I know what I see. I see David picking up the rock and putting in the sling. Call me crazy but good finish will come this year.
AMEN!!!! to that Glen very well said.
Bill
What else needs to be said?
You have always been gracious and have always looked out for your car owner. You and Mark Martins still remember your roots and the “old school” way of racing. I can only
be thankful that you have remained in the sport for so long. NASCAR needs another
42 Bill Elliotts in their lineup!!!
I only wish Bill would quit running Daytona and Talledega. It just isn’t safe. I cannot enjoy the race at all because I am worried the whole time that Bill will get hurt in the “big one” (not that the racing is worth a dang there any more anyway). And I know that driving in that race cannot be ANY fun. To just ride around waiting for the last 20 laps (that is basically what EVERYONE is doing) has got to suck. Running the entire 175 or 180 laps, NOT racing, but keeping your eye out for a wreck in front of you, contemplating how you will react when it does happen. And then finally getting to the end and not getting a chance to even go for it. I can tell you this – my son races karts and if by some freak of nature he were to make it to a series that races like that, I will forbid him to race. At least as long as I make the decisions anyway.
The way I see it is simple. Bill has gotten too smart (age will do that to you) to act like a fool in one of the plate races. And acting like a fool is the only way you will be in a position to win. I’m surprised that Truex, Jr didn’t end up on his hood (just like Edwards did) when Harvick bumped him up. You simply got to be willing to die to win one of these races. As long as you are only running a part time schedule, forget Daytona and Dega – it ain’t worth it!! JMHO
I agree well said Glenn. It just amazes me people like Ronnie; I wonder do they ever consider that Bill feels the pain more than anyone? After all he knows what he is capable of…
I don’t undertsand that either, they did a great job with it last year. I need to learn how to do that with Chase’s racing as well. I will see what I can find out and let you know.
Success really shouldn’t be graded off one race. Jimmie Johnson finished behind Bill, and way outside the tope 12. Are you going to tell me that he is going to miss the Chase now. Of course not. We all have to realize that the Daytona 500 is one race. And it’s a RP race. RP plate racing is just a joke anymore. The Daytona 500 used to be won by the best in the sport, Petty and Allison, and Bill. But now, it’s just whoever gets the biggest push on the last lap. Don’t get me wrong. It’s cool to see a guy like Jamie McMurray win. That is someone who truely realizes how big of an accomplishment he made. Overall, trying to base the 500 on how the Woods and Bill will perform the rest of the year is just crazy quite frankly. We all know this isn’t Bill’s type of racing, and the main reason the Woods run the race anyway is for the sponsorship exposure, and the purse. At the end of the day, we should all look forward to all the other races on Bill’s schedule. Atlanta, Michigan, Indy, Charlotte. After all, those are the places where the best things in his career as happened. We should all be eager for those races
If the Woods get full sponsorship is Bill going to Drive the whole season?? Us fans sure hope so!!!!
I’m glad to read what has been posted lately !! I would agree that the 2 Superspeedways are a big farce these days… Nascar will probably fine me for saying that ! : )
BILL HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CLASS ACT. ADMITTING FAULT FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT HIS FAULT IS JUST WHO BILL IS AND WHY HE HAS THE FANS THAT HE HAS. JR IS NOT THE ALL TIME FAVORITE AS HIS FANS THINK. BILL HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST POPULAR AND ALWAYS WILL BE. I’VE BEEN A FAN SINCE 1982 AND HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF IF NOT THE MOST RESPECTED. HE DIDN’T EARN THAT BY BEING A HOT HEAD OR A CRYBABY. ALL OF US “BILL” FANS KNOW WHO IS THE BEST!!!! CAN’T WAIT TILL CHASE GETS INTO CUP. HE LOOKS TO BE A CHIP OFF THE OLE BLOCK.
cindy i hope you dont take me wrong bill has not ran good at the big tracks in a long time i just want you to under stand that bill does not want to in up in the back i just want you to know that i love bill
Ronnie, your a true Elliott fan just like me, I didn’t take you wrong, I just wanted to help my fellow Elliott fan see another side. Trust me just like Cindy said above, Bill feels it too. Lets take another perspective today, In he 80′s Bill had a career worth of accomplishments, In the 90′s he had a lot of ups and downs. When he lost his sponsorship everybody including the media thought he was done. Bill could have walked off into the sunset head held high. Then, came along a man named Ray Everham. In a short period of time Bill won Homestead, pocono, Indy, Rockingham. He gave us one more time to shine in the sky as fans. If he would have run another year, sure enough, he would have contended for a cup. But, I think it was time for Bill to be with his family. Great choice. Here is the Irony of of this time and age, how many people are still in nascar and doing great that was a part of Bill Elliott racing before Everham took over. Names like Mike Ford, Kenny Francis. What Bill tuaght them went along way to drivers like Kasey Kahne and Deny Hamlin. Now and for the past three years Bill has given us another chance to watch him race. For that I’m thankful. Mark my word we are going to see the best accomplishment yet in Bill’s Career. Far better than any championship or win. We get to see the finishing touches on the turn around at Wood Brothers Racing. This year we will see why Bill Elliott is a champion and one of the best drivers of all time. They might not win but they will have a top five. And that is like winning the championship. One paper the woods brothers are miles away from teams like hedricks and roush racing. But what the woods brothers and bill have is tons of heart and determination. Let me see Mark Martin take that chance. But, on the other hand, put Bill in a Hendrick car. No we don’t need that. Bill gonna be just fine this year.
Yes everything you have said is true and one that you left out. Perhaps, just perhaps, Bill’s greatest accomplishments are yet to come with the next generation of drivers Bill is working with now a great deal of his time Chase and Casey. And with Chase he is branding Ford ideals even though we all know that as much as we want Chase in a Ford one day that may not be an open opportunity with the limited amount of teams etc…
Cindy, tell Bill we are his fans no matter what. Bill could finish DEAD LAST for 50 races in a row and I would still be right there in front of the TV for the next race with butterflies in my stomach hoping Bill will have a good run. I have never even met the man but he has been a part of my life since I was 16 (I’m 41!). Is that strange? My wife makes fun of me says I am like people that like movie stars. She just doesn’t understand!
I understand because I feel the pain too. I feel like Bill has not been given equal opportunities in many cases or equal exposure in many cases but I’m not going to let that get me down. I see what he is doing to help the Wood Brothers when they had no where else to turn and I respect him for his willingness to get in that car for the last several years and give them the feedback that they needed to get their program back on track. That I know, on a limited budget is not about to happen overnight but they are gaining now and that can be seen by all. Bill believes that the future of NASCAR is not only in the next generation with Casey and Chase but also just as importantly in the history of NASCAR with those that made it what it is today and it is unfortunate that so many of those people the ones who gave the founding of this sport substance are overlooked. He is only trying to do his part to maintain the integrity of yesterday and the future for our children.
You and so many others like you…that is why you always hear Bill say, you knowing racing has been good to me and my family. He has always had the support from the fans and no matter what stage of the roller coaster ride he was in the fans were with him going into that next race with great anticipation.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
It also takes a little luck, and Im sure that will turn around soon.Im just glad that Bill is still racing and that Chase is coming on strong.I always figured that when Bill was done racing,Id be done watching and I do only watch the races that Bill is in.
It is EXTREMELY frustrating to see FOX and ESPN stuck up Mark Martins u know what when Bill has a far more impressive record and is just as talented if not more talented than Mark. You know when you look at it, Bill Elliott could have easily been one of the top 5 drivers of ALL TIME in nascar if he just would have had a few things go the other way. But as Bill would say “its just one of those deals” lol. Nevertheless, I am so proud to be a Bill Elliott fan and will always support Bill no matter what. Im bout to order me one of those 2010 #21 T-shirts, them things look SWEET
You go Bill. Proud of the job you are doing for the Wood Brothers. Glad you are driving FORD. That new engine held up great. Get that top five in Atlanta, and the pole would be great.
Bill Elliott, in my opinion is the best driver in Nascar in the past 30 years.
If Bill was in the same equipment as Earnhardt, Gordon or Johnson he would have a won multiple championships too.
AMEN to that CND BILL FAN !!! : )
Bill Elliott has always been my favorite race driver, for 27 years, even through the lean years.I have read his book cover to cover 4 times, he tells it like it is. I always liked his driving style pure skill. He never had to bully someone on the track.I never liked Dale Earnhardt, never will. I hope Bill has fun and wins a race with the woods, I would love to see Bill win in a Ford one more time. I don’t watch the races anymore just when Bill runs, cause he is the only driver I like.I hope to see Chase race oneday if that is what he wants to do. Good luck Bill and God Bless you.
BILL IS A TALENTED DRIVER THAT STILL ENJOYS THIS SPORT AS FANS WE SHOULD APPRECIATE EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE FOR ARE SPORT AS I TELL MY KIDS ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WINNING AND LOSING. ITS ABOUT GIVING IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT I THINK BILL DOES THAT EVERYTIME HE RACES. GO BILL
Cindy,
It is great that you are here reading comments from fans and I’m sure telling Bill what everyone has to say. From the days when I was involved in ARCA with the #9 car. (We changed our number to 9 because the whole team loved Bill.) to the time when I reached out to him for help when it looked as though my youngest son was on deaths door, I know he has always given his all inside the car as well as outside to his fans.
If I could have one wish it would be for Bill to have the opportunity to be in first class equipment again, like Mark with the 5 car. I think we wold all see our hero up front contending for the win, where I’m sure in his heart of hearts he wants to be. Bill will always hold a special place in my heart for his kindness. Thank You!
I hope Bill can win a race this year. If he has fast pit stops he has the car to Get R Done!
Cindy you are absolutely right. Can’t wait to see all the hard work you bill and the young drivers starts to pay dividends. Lucky for us elliot fans. We will get to watch chase race in our golden years. No that is priceless
Nice to see all the comments. Hopefully, the team can be competitive this year, looks like they will be.
Hi Cindy,
I interviewed for a job from a guy named Rallp Jones. He bought or leased cars from the Eillitos way back in the 80′s. He ran ARCA. Ask Bill if he remembers him. Rallf told me a lot about Bill. He went to Dawsonville back when they were nobodies.
He told me how cool Bill was and Earnie was a hot head. I dont know what is true but Rallf is a good person. He spoke so highly of Bill and what a good guy he is/was. Ralph didnt have the money to take it to the next level but he was a good racer.
I want you to know and Bill also how much I support you. I will be a fan until the last lap is run. I feel like I am riding in the car sometimes. I am a true fan and pull for you every single lap. I try to watch Chase and what he is doing but make no mistake Bill Elliott is the best man to ever wheel a stock car. I dont have money to support you but know I am pullling hard each lap. May God bless your family and know that I am pulling for the Elliotts on race day!
bill does an awesome job as always. you can only go as far as your equipment can take you.strides have been made at wood brothers but watching martin do what he is doing makes the 27th place finishes sting all the more. maybe top tens are in the future. i just dont want to see bill ride around. people at my work say bill is washed up but i dont believe it. but is he in a ride to be sucessful? i will always support no matter what so get after them.
Eric,
We were in Atlanta in 1988 when Ralph ran one of Bill’s cars in the ARCA race. He sat on the pole and if I remember right he was over 2 miles an hour faster than the guy next to him. As one of the other teams it sucked but as a Bill Elliott fan it was pretty cool…..
Bill hang in there, your time is coming to be in victory lane again. You make your fans proud and yes, you are a class act!
march,1983, rockingham n.c. i am in newport news va. looking for work (i am southwet va native) and watching espn of the race that day.the laps are winding down and the cars in 1 and 2, 43 and 9 bill was giving the king everything he could . bill didnot win the race that day but he won me as a life long fan still to this day bill is my driver, i have enjoyed the years watching bill but only when runs today, hats off to you big man you are my racing champion always will be, when the word gentleman was you was the mold. that dat in 1983 still crosses my mind would love to come down to the musem in dawsonville some day, maybe one day i can meet my hero , shake his hand and say god bless you and your family.