08.16
August 15, 2010
Bill Elliott and the crew of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion battled back from being a lap down to score a 22nd-place finish in Sunday’s Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway, topping off a day that saw the team honored for its legacy of success in NASCAR and at the Michigan track.
Elliott started 30th and maintained a spot on the lead lap until he fell a lap in arrears due to two long stretches of green-flag racing. But when the caution flag flew for an incident between Joey Logano and Ryan Newman with 51 laps to go, the Woods opted to take the wave-around and rejoined the lead lap.
But for the wave-around to be of much help, a team needs the caution flag to fly again fairly soon so they can get fresh tires and fuel since teams that opt for the wave-around can’t make a pit stop during that caution period.
Jeff Gordon’s flat tire and the resulting caution flag provided the No. 21 team that opportunity just six laps later, and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew was able to service their car and send Elliott out with fresh tires and a full tank of fuel for the final run to the checkered flag.
Elliott restarted 25th and drove to 22nd at the checkered flag.
“It was a good day,” team co-owner Eddie Wood said. “At the end of the race, we were running good lap times, but we just couldn’t get the track position we needed to capitalize.”
Wood said the over-the-wall pit crew had a good day, and Elliott did a good job getting on and off pit road as quickly as possible and without incurring a speeding penalty.
“Bill’s one of the best at getting on and off pit road,” Wood said.
Race day at Michigan started with a ceremony on pit road in which the Wood Brothers were honored with a permanent plaque commemorating the team’s 60 years in NASCAR.
The plaque, on the wall behind Victory Circle, recognizes both the Woods’ contributions to NASCAR and their history at Michigan International Speedway.
The Woods are tied with fellow Ford team owner Jack Roush for the most wins at MIS (11) with three drivers, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson and Dale Jarrett.
Yarborough won the first NASCAR race at Michigan back in 1969 driving for the Woods, and Dale Jarrett got his first Cup win, also with the Woods, at Michigan in 1991.
“It’s a real honor,” Eddie Wood said. “The only other plaques there are commemorating NASCAR on its 50th year and Richard Petty for his 1,000th start.”
And the fact that the honor came at Michigan made it even more special.
“It’s the home track for Ford Motor Company, and it’s like home for us too,” Wood said.
Elliott and the Woods return to action at another home track of sorts, Atlanta Motor Speedway, on Sept. 5-6. AMS is the home track for Elliott, and it’s also a place where the Woods have scored 12 Cup victories, more than any other team in the track’s 50-year history.
The Wood Bros and Bill have been an integral R&D team for Ford/Motorcraft. I think the on track performance is good, just impossible to maintain the pit stops with part timers. Hope and pray they have full time funding for 2011. Elliott is still capable of winning races. He left the #9 car at the absolute top of his game. Totally respect Bill Elliott and am hopeful for a nice 2011. These idiots who assimilate the Wood Bros. efforts with the Nemeceks,Morgan Shepherds of the world are ridiculous. Scott Everton from Odessa FL. Longtime Elliott fan
Calling people who are just as much fans of Bill Eliott as you are “idiots”, shows that you forget that everyone has a right to their opiion as you. We don”t call you an “idiot” when you express your belief. It is a proven fact that a one car team in todays NASCAR WILL NOT BE COMPETATIVE AS THE MULTI CAR TEAMS.BILL has chosen to help the Wood Brothers, we have to except his choice. I love to watch Bill race , I have spent a lot of money on going to races , purchasing merchandise etc , so I have the right to express my opinion as well as the others. We , his fans just want him to be more competative , but it will not happen with the Wood brothers as their team exists.
Go Bill!!!!! forever a FAN
if bill wants a great ride sign with jack in the 6 car for 2011 with mike beam as crew chief as a fan that would be awesome
is mike beam even still in the business? Bill carried the man for years. Now Mike Ford, that would be a different story!!
beam was working for jack in truck series 2-3 years ago just thought it would work
I met Mike Beam at the Kansas City 2 years ago. He was working with Colin Braun in the 6 truck. I think he is still with Jack.
Can you believe we have 57 posts on this subject. Some folks think Bill and the Woods won’t ever be contenders. Other fans think Bill and the Woods have got a shot to run top ten or pull off a win. Some folks don’t care and just love watching Bill run.
I don’t care who, what or when Bill drives. He is the man and always will be. I cheered for the Red Head thru the long winless 7 year drought with McD’s…. And I haven’t stopped cheering even when he missed races and ran for the Huddle House.
Its easy to cheer for a front runner. It was easy to cheer for Bill isn the 80′s cause he smoked everyone.
Bottom line is Bill and the Woods need our support Win, Lose , Wrecked or Blowed Up.
By the way. I think Bill likes David Hyder. David has done pretty well based on the situation he is in. What if Kenny Francis was hired? Kenny worked on Bill’s 9 at EMS in 2001. No word if he will stay at RPM, go to Red Bull or follow KK to Hendrick.
By the way …Go Chase Elliott and Casey Roderick !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have nothing against the wood bros . its a tough sitiation there in bill likes what hes doing he can still win . i just thoght bill and mike could have some fun.
I agree 100% with ” ol slick ”
I’m happy just to be able to watch Bill race. I know as a 28 year fan of Bills what he can do in a race car if it’s set up right.
The bottom line is, everything is Bill’s decision and I only watch NASCAR because of Bill so I support Bill no matter where or who he decides to drive for. Bill is the best and I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t sponsor him, maybe Ford should step-up and support him. I know that Bill sold plenty of Fords by racing one, so maybe they should give back to him and his fans, with financial and technical support, for a full season.
good point david
The teams with all the money want young pretty-boy type drivers. Why do you think Mark Martin is getting replaced by Casey Kahne? By the way does that sound familier?
We all know cubic dollars wins races and not just cubic inches. I feel that has never been as evident as in todays racing. With the dollars the Wood’s Brothers have to work with it is a testimaony to their people and the skill of Bill. The prospect of the Woods finding big money to make their cars more competitive is slim. A half second takes millions to acheive and that’s probably not gonna happen. If Bill is racing I will tune in and enjoy every lap he runs and hope for success.
Hey Cindy,
With the relationship Bill and Chase have with Aarons. Can somebody not convince them to sponsor Bill in cup? I would hate to take The Root’s sponsor… Well no I wouldn’t, not if Bill was going to get it! I also think WBR might need another sales person. It shouldn’t be that hard to get Bill a sponsor! You want to see some people go crazy! If Bill can qualify that 21 car somewhere in the first coulp of rows at At Atlanta! That would be something to talk about!
Cindy….is Bill confident about a possible top 20 at Atlanta? Also there is no doubt the Wood’s have improved because of Bill. When he started with them they were placing in the upper 30′s. Now they’ve had several top 20′s. If they can keep improving each year and they keep Bill on that would be great. Thanks
Can’t wait for the Atlanta night race !! I have lived in ATL for 24 years and I have been going to AMS to watch Bill and the other guys race for the last 15 years. I get so pumped up just thinking about sitting high up in the Elliott Grandstand watching my racing hero turn some hot laps and such a great race track. I literally don’t leave my seat once the green flag drops and I hardly take my eyes off the car Bill is driving. My scanner is glued to Elliott’s frequency and I really enjoy getting into the race and feeling like I’m in the car with Bill. That is what NASCAR is all about…always has been. There can only be one winner each week and even though I know the 21 car is a long shot I know there is a 1 in 43 chance that he has to win. Got to get the car handling good enough to survive the early long green flag run. If you can do that and stay on the lead lap then a solid finish can be obtained. The 21 crew has been doing pretty good and adjusting on the car and always seems to run as fast and the top guys by the final run. You just have to be on that lead lap when you make that final run to pass for positions. Go get ‘em Bill. Make your hometown fans proud! We’ll be cheering you all the way!
Cindy, you told us a few weeks ago that Bill might be making some appearances next week in the ATL area. Can you let us know if anything is confirmed? Thank you in advance!
Hey Gang! Its Eric from the old Awesome Bill From Dawsonville (sportsonly.com/a/5519) forum — just found these comment sections – this is fantastic! How have I missed this for so long?
Anyway, still enjoy watching Bill race – I’m sure proud of what he and the Wood’s have been able to accomplish the last two races, given the huge funding & rersource difference between their team and say the #88.
Good luck Bill, i’m glad to find an internet spot with Bill Elliott fans!
Glad you found us. We have a petty good time on here.
Yes, he will be at Allan Vigil’s in the Quick Lane Service Center – Thursday September 2nd at 11 am. And Chase’s winning Mustang from Rockingham is on display there as well.
You have to be confident to do this [I think]. I agree he has helped the Wood Brother’s tremendously but we still don’t know if they want him back next year or what their plans are so I really couldn’t say.
Well I can’t imagine nascar without him. I understand though. Just make him try to hold on until Chase gets there. Bill fan always. Gerry Berg
Bill is never gonna drive full time again, yet he is still, awesome, some of u need too understand this!!
Hope you are wrong Wes. Doesn’t look good right now. But, he is willing. Hope some sponsors are found!
I wouldn’t say that Bill will never run full-time again until he comes out and says so. Previous posts have stated that Bill would be interested in running full time next year if the right deal came along. A lot can happen the rest of the season and the off season to solidify sponsership so i am staying postitve. I think one of the biggest reasons sponsers are weary is because it is still up in the air as to what WB Racing wants to do next year, including with Bill. I do agree that Ford should step in a little extra to help out the team but even with funding it would still take time to get caught back up to the rest of the top tier teams. It must suck for WB to have such a top tier driver and not be able to give him a top-tier car.
Still keeping my fingers crossed for sponsership and full time next year. If not. oh well its still fun to watch Bill race part time. Thanks for still giving us a reason to cheer 15 times a year Bill!!!!
I can’t believe WB hasn’t been talking to Bill about what there plans are for next year! That just kills me! What are they thinking!!! Hey Cindy is there any reason that the October race at Charlotte isn’t on the upcoming races?
Wood Brothers should definitely tell Bill something. The fact that they are not leads me to believe they have something in the works with someone else. Maybe another Elliott. Sadler that is. He drove for them before with success. Sadler has been talking on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio about being close and having conversations. With who? Could be WBR and some sponsor. If so, why? He’s an affable guy. But, he rarely wins in Cup. Bill is more likable, more talented (still), and has a provisional for 6 races. Not the most recent Champion, but still 6 provisionals. I noted earlier points are available from the 98 and maybe some more. Deals to be made! If Sadler drives for WBR next year, Bill should drive for RPM if possible. Still seats open over there. And I believe sponsorship still under contract. Bill, I want you to win at least 1 more race! I know you can do it!
WBR CANNOT survive as a single car team. MUST merge with someone or find enough sponsorship for at least 2 teams! 60 years! Lose the ego and merge. Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up!
Barry, You are so right, I have been saying this for such a long time , but many just can’t get it into their heads that at least two cars is the better way to go. Yes, lose the Wood brothers ego and progress to 2010. One can not live in the past, the Wood brothers are doing just that. When I read they are content with a 22nd, 25th, 15th etc. it makes me wonder if they they are worthy of a Bill Elliott. It has been 28 yearts for me as a Bill Elliott fan , I admire his loyalty , don’t think many other drivers would be the same.
Go Bill at Hotlanta
If WBR dumps Bill I hope that they fall on their faces and they would deserve it. Bill has carried them for all of this time, they need to show some gratitude and let him know something. I’m a Bill fan forever!!!!!
They say it’s tenative pending sponsorship is all I know for Charlotte, Kansas and Texas.
Bill is the best and his fans are the most loyal fans that you will ever find in any sport .There is no one in sprint cup right now more deserving of a top notch team and sponsor than Bill.If nascar wants to know why their not filling up the grandstands and the tv ratings are down,they need to take a look at Bill,he’s a champion,all time most popular driver and won lots of races and still could given the right equipment.If indeed he is having trouble attracting a sponsor even with the economy the way it is,then nascar really needs to take a look in the mirror and figure out what they are doing wrong in the way they are running the sport.Bill whatever you decide to do in 2011 we will be behind you.
Nascar wonders why ratings are down, do not need to be a rocket scientist to understand why. The current crop of drivers are spoiled, have the best of everything , cars engineeering , tires ,etc. but to me the biggest difference and having been a fan for over 30 years is the drivers. I will not name them I will say Bill and the guys of his time and before. I am a Kasey Kane fan , but not many more of todays drivers excite me. Junior rides on his fathers coat tails etc, and he is the current most popular driver? enough said.
JDRF Promo (Juvenile Diabetes) says the winning design will be how the car looks in October at Charlotte. To be driven by Bill Elliott. If the Woods aren’t going to be in Charlotte that could be a mess. They have to be there, don’t they?
CHARLOTTE IS A GO GUYS! Help us vote Ray Cook into that 2011 Sposnorship
The race at Charlotte is nowconfirmed with Bill driving the car. Thnaks!
I wish that I had the money to put Bill in a championship operation. Without a doubt, it would be a great return on my investment.
One more thing, the Wood Brothers would have 0 sponsorship without Bill
Cool-Charlotte !!!!