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NASCAR Cup News
Like Old Times
Saturday, 07 February 2009 16:32

 

 

Showing Saturday's first practice session was no fluke, veteran driver Bill Elliott put the Wood Brothers atop the charts once again during the final hour and a half session of the day. Elliott laid down another fast lap in the 47 second mark, running only two laps in his No. 21 Motorcraft Ford the entire session.

 

This combination knows a thing or two about running well at the "World Center of Racing." The Wood Brothers have scored four Daytona 500 victories (1963, 1968, 1972 and 1978), while Elliott has earned that honor twice in 1985 and 1987.

 

Running a limited schedule in 2009, this team has the opportunity bring back the good 'ol days of NASCAR like no other. The Wood Brothers have limited their resources in the past, cut their schedule and remained competitive. By doing so once again this season, it appears this team has been able to focus their attention on bringing their best each time the hit the track.

 

For team co-owner Eddie Wood, this season presents an opportunity to get back to the way it used to be, while having the ability to stay in business. Limiting their schedule has in no way cut their confidence in each other nor their will to win. With Elliott behind the wheel and crew chief Dave Hyder calling the shots atop the pit box, the possibilities are endless.

 

"Hyder, the guys at the shop and the Ford engineers spent the off-season working their tails off," Eddie Wood explained. "We did more off-track testing than ever before and went over every inch of this car at least 100 times. So far so good. I hope we can bring home some good results this week for our sponsors (Ford and Motorcraft). During these difficult economic times, Ford and Motorcraft have stuck with us. Nothing would mean more than to deliver a good performance with good marketing results for them."

 

To make things even more special for this team, Saturday marked the 58th wedding anniversary for Bernice and Glen Wood.

 

The second practice session of the day was much like the first, with teams concentrating solely on making qualifying runs. Fifty-five of the fifty-seven cars made their way to the track for the hour and a half session, each running under a total of eight laps.

 

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Martin Truex Jr. was the second fastest car of the day, running a lap of 47.999 seconds at a speed of 187.504 mph. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third quick, followed by Kyle Busch and Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman.

 

Coors Light qualifying for the 51st running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for 1:10pm E.T. tomorrow afternoon. Teams are continuing to work to find speed in the garage as the night wears on. There are 22 cars that are required to make the show on time or race their way into the field in Thursday's Gatorade Duel 150s. Qualifying will be close and the action during Thursday's Duels will be intense to say the least.

 

Be sure to check back to HardcoreRaceFans.com for all of the latest news and results LIVE from the Daytona International Speedway.