06.12
One might not expect a 28th-place qualifying at Michigan International Speedway to bring smiles to the faces of the members of the team that is tied for the most Sprint Cup wins there or to the driver who leads all active racers in victories there, but that was exactly the case Friday afternoon.
Bill Elliott in the Wood Brothers No.21 FordParts.com Ford Fusion ran a lap at 187.251 miles per hour, considerably faster than his best practice run of 185.763 mph, and he did it with the weather working against him. Because of a mid-day rainstorm, Elliott wound up making his qualifying run under a broiling sun, while many before him ran under the cooler temperatures that prevailed immediately after the rain. Generally, the cooler the air, the faster a car runs. But Elliott was making good time, even in the heat.
Among the go-or-go-home drivers who went out at the end of the qualifying session during the hottest time of the day, Elliott was at the top of the class. “It feels good,” Elliott said. “The guys worked hard and put a good car under me. It is always a task to get through these qualifying days, especially with where we are in points.” Because Elliott and the Woods are running a limited schedule, they’re not among the top 35 teams in car owner points; a group that is guaranteed a starting spot for races no matter how fast or slow they are in qualifying.
Now Elliott and the Woods are turning their attention to preparing a car that will be competitive in Sunday’s 400-miler. “We will see what Sunday brings,” Elliott said. “Qualifying is one thing, but we will go through tomorrow and figure out where we stack up for Sunday. “I am definitely looking forward to the race though.”
Sunday’s Heluva Good Sour Cream Dip 400 is set to get the green flag at 1 p.m. with TV coverage on TNT. Fans watching at the track and on TV should remember to watch for a car carrying the blue-and-white FordParts.com colors. The famed No. 21 normally carries a red-and-white Motorcraft/Quick Lane paint scheme, but this week the team is helping raise awareness of FordParts.com, which allows repair shops, body shops, fleets, and do-it-yourselfers to shop online 24/7/365 days a year for Genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts from the dealer of their choice.
I’m optimistic. But, I am always optimistic/hopeful the day before the race. Just hope we have a great run and no bad luck. Drive that dang car to the front, Bill!
You can do it Bill!
Have a great race Bill….you and the Woods Bros deserve a good run…top 10
is very attainable tomorrow. Good Luck!
Go get’em Bill. Drive the wheels off the car! Good Luck. Be Safe!
Good luck Bill!! Just watched final practice and 12 fastest lap. Hopefully the car is good on the long runs.. During qualifying DW said that Bill might be interested in running full time next year if the team can get sponsership. Is there any truth to that statement. Just thought it was odd that he made that statement if there wasn’t any truth behind it. I believe that running every week and not relying on such a conservative mind-set that the team would really improve on a more consistent rate.
We’re pulling for a good finish as always for Bill and the WBR team… May they have an Awesome day !! *********
Seems like it’s going to be a typical WBR day. I feel sorry for Bill, I know that he’s a much better driver that he has car. They need to fire Hyder and soon…..
How do you get lapped at Michigan?
I worked all night and got up to watch this?? This is unbelievable, I know that it’s NOT Bill’s fault.
I hope he says goodbye to this team soon! They cant figure this car out and have no help at all out there. If he drives full time next year it better be in that #9 or else just call it a career……….
Another disappointing day for all the Bill Elliott Fans out there. Why two tires on the first caution? Why not wait for some track position on four tires then take the gamble and maybe give a little instead of alomost a lap?
I was just sitting there waiting, waiting, and waiting some more. As all have stated, its not Bill’s driving ability. They need to merge to gather more information. Not sure how good Hyder is either. Seems like the car did not improve throughout the whole race and how do you go a lap down at Michigan. Hopefully something changes soon and that may need to be a crew chief change. Just a little hard to watch, especially when it Michigan
I think the very last thing they need is a crew chief change. We all forget so soon how David Hyder came to this team and picked it up out of the trenches at the end of 2008. David Hyder has proven himself to be a great crew chief. The team and Bill are just sorting through some stuff right now. The new spoiler and everything has really thrown this team a curveball, but I can promise you all that they will be right back in contention in the coming weeks
Most of us are not just fair weather fans of Bills… The paint job was cool !: )
I’m not a fair weather fan just a realist…. I know that Bill isn’t getting the equipment he needs to be competitive; Bill is the only saving grace that WBR has right now…it sure isn’t Hyder… I also want and expect my favorite driver (Awesome Bill) to run better than 25th or worse and I know if Bill runs 25th or worse I’ll still be rooting for him (not WBR) all the way, because there is only 1 MILLION DOLLAR BILL.
You know, I read all of these comments and a lot of you have some good points. Several different times I have started to repsond and then stopped but the truth of the matter is that we don’t even know what is going on. Obviously something, but we have weathered storms before with all of you behind Bill and we will do whatever it takes again.
Cindy, Thanks for the positive spin….Go Bill! Once a Bill fan always a Bill fan!!
I think it’s safe to say that people watch these races and get on here and comment things that are not completely true. This team is a good one. We saw it last year. They will get it back. We ALL back Bill no matter what. I hope he has some good time off the next few weeks, and then we will be ready to light them up at Chicagoland.
Why get rid of Hyder? This is a part-time team. I don’t think Chad Knauss (who was a tire changer for Bill) or Steve Letarte, or Mike Ford (Elliott crewchief) is available right now. We need money. Not a crewchief change. Money!!! And money! And engineers who are provided by MONEY!
Dump Hyder