LifeLock 400 Report

WOOD BROTHERS TEAM ABLE TO STAY IN THE RACE AT MICHIGAN 

BROOKLYN, MI — Almost as soon as the LifeLock 400 began, the field of cars had to slow back down as an early caution came out on lap three. Because it was too early to determine how the car was performing, Bill Elliott pitted the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion to top off with fuel only. The race went green once again on lap five. By lap 37, Elliott radioed that the handling of the car was too tight through the corner. About that same time, other teams began their scheduled pit stops. Since Elliott had topped off with fuel on lap three, he didn’t pit until lap 42 to try to gain better track position. Elliott had to start the event in the 37th position after NASCAR cancelled qualifying due to rain.

Crew Chief, Mike Smith, radioed for Bill to come in and pit for four tires, fuel and make some small adjustments. As a result of the changes, Bill felt the car getting better by lap 50.

On lap 60, Elliott raidoed, “Clean air and the adjustments made a difference, but now I have no grip off the corner. I can’t believe that little bit of a change made that much difference.”

Since most pit stops were made during green flag racing, the crew had to be quick. However, during the pit stop under caution on lap 91, the Wood Brothers race team made major adjustments to help with the “lack of grip” and put on four fresh tires and fuel. Elliott restarted the race 38th on lap 96.

On lap 101 another caution flag waved, and the team decided to make more adjustments. The swift No. 21 pit crew made a left front shock adjustment, track bar adjustment, changed four tires and added fuel to the car within 15 seconds. Bill and his car were able to resume the race on lap 106 in 39th position.

As green flag laps continued, it was determined that the adjustments seemed to work against Elliott. Smith decided to reverse some of the changes that were made in previous pit stops. On lap 152, another caution flag flew which allowed the team to reverse some of the chassis adjustments. With one lap to go before the green flag restarted the race, the No. 21 was called back down pit road to top off for fuel in hopes that this would be the last stop of the afternoon. The race resumed on lap 156 with Elliott in 36th position.

As Elliott continued through green flag laps, the handling issues persisted. Fortunately, on lap 197 the caution flag came out for the fifth time. On lap 199, the No. 21 pitted for more tires, fuel and another small adjustment. The race restarted under the green, white, checkered flags and Bill was there in 35th position. With one lap to go, a wreck occurred which caused the final lap to end under the checked/yellow condition. Bill Elliott crossed the finish line in the 36th position on lap 203.

Wood Brothers Racing will travel to the golden hills of Sonoma, California to Infineon Raceway where Marcos Ambrose will make his Sprint Cup debut in the No. 21 Little Debbie® Honey Buns Ford Fusion. Contributed by Christina Cicci, Wood Brothers Racing

LifeLock 400 Results:
1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2. Kasey Kahne
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Brian Vickers
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Carl Edwards
8. David Ragan
9. Elliott Sadler
10. Jamie McMurray
36. Bill Elliott