All-Star Report

WOOD BROTHERS TEAM LEARNS FROM SHOOTOUT  

CHARLOTTE, NC — Competing in the All-Star Race was the ultimate goal for Wood Brothers Racing Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Yet, it’s the knowledge that was gained over the course of the weekend that will go a long way for the Coca-Cola 600 next weekend.

Bill Elliott and the No. 21 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion were shooting for a top running spot in the Sprint Showdown. Elliott took the green flag in the 21st position in the first of the two 20 lap races that make up the Showdown. On lap one, Bill reported a vibration that mimicked a loose wheel.

On lap four, the Wood Brothers team got a break with the first caution of the evening. The team chose to pit and put on four tires and added fuel. The No. 21 restarted in the 24th position, and the vibration was immediately relieved. Throughout the course of the short race, Bill dealt with a “tight” race car. The team had to gamble with the condition and track position. So, they decided to stay on the track for the remainder of the race where Elliott finished in the 20th position.

After a mandatory caution in between the first and second race, the team decided to make some air pressure adjustments, changed four tires and added fuel. The No. 21 restarted the second race in the 19th position. This time, there were two cautions and the team elected to stay out on the track for both of them and not make any adjustments for the last remaining laps. Bill Elliott took the checkered flag in 19th position.

Since The Wood Brothers No. 21 didn’t finish in the top two spots, it was unable to advance to the All-Star event. The team’s effort in the campaign to elect Bill Elliott for the third and final open spot fell short as Kasey Kahne won the voting contest for the last position and ultimately won the race with its million dollar prize.

Despite not making the All-Star Race, the No. 21 team gained valuable information in preparation for the Coca-Cola 600. Crew Chief Mike “Andretti” Smith said, “We got a lot of track time under race conditions. "We learned what works and what doesn’t, so we’ll spend this week making some changes and come back prepared for the race next weekend.”

Wood Brothers Racing also had a successful two day test on Monday and Tuesday, May 5th and 6th with Jon Wood driving. He ended the second day with an 11th position overall finish with a lap time of 29.618 seconds. Jon will be piloting the No. 21 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday May, 25th with the Salute To The Troops race car at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Contributed by Christina Cicci, Wood Brothers Racing

All-Star Race Results:
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Greg Biffle
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Tony Stewart
6. Ryan Newman
7. Sam Hornish, Jr.
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
9. Mark Martin
10. Carl Edwards
11. Kevin Harvick
12. Bobby Labonte
13. Casey Mears
14. Juan Pablo Montoya
15. Jeff Gordon
16. Martin Truex, Jr.
17. A.J. Allmendinger
18. Clint Bowyer
19. Jamie McMurray
20. Jeff Burton
21. Dale Jarrett
22. Kurt Busch
23. Denny Hamiln
24. Kyle Busch

2008 Final
Point Standings:
1. Jimmie Johnson — 6684
2. Carl Edwards — 6615
3. Greg Biffle — 6467
4. Kevin Harvick — 6408
5. Clint Bowyer — 6381
6. Jeff Burton — 6335
7. Jeff Gordon — 6316
8. Denny Hamlin — 6214
9. Tony Stewart — 6202
10. Kyle Busch — 6186
11. Matt Kensteh — 6184
12. D. Earnhardt, Jr. — 6127
36. M. Ambrose* — 2655
*Listed by Owner Points for Michael Waltrip Racing/
JTG Daugherty Racing