Sylvania 300

ANYTHING BUT AN ORDINARY RACE DAY FOR WOOD BROTHERS RACING

LOUDON, NH — Wood Brothers Racing had some distinguished guests visit their transporter at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 14. Senator John McCain and his wife Cindy made their way to the No. 21 hauler area from the driver’s meeting with Richard Petty to meet Bill Elliott and Eddie, Len and Leonard Wood. Major General Irving L. Halter, Jr. from the U.S. Air Force was another special guest who also had an opportunity to meet the Senator and his wife.

As Senator McCain entered the hauler, most of the Wood Brothers team was there to greet him and shake his hand. Bill was very impressed with the presidential candidate. “That was a pretty neat deal," Elliott said. "For what he stood up and did for our country, I don’t think they give the man enough credit…But he’s a neat guy and I wish him the best.”

Normal race day activities took place after a short delay from the rainy morning. Bill Elliott started in position 37, after qualifying was rained out, driving the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion. The 43-car field was eager to get started, and the early laps of the 300-lap event showed it as beating and banging took place on the track. Bill was shuffled out and almost immediately became involved in an incident, but he managed to save the car by falling to the back of the field. He was passed by the leader on lap 33; however, he received his lap back with the lucky dog award by being the first car one lap down. The mandatory caution went into effect on lap 35, and Bill entered pit road. The pit crew planned to make major adjustments to the handling on his race car. "It's better than practice yesterday but, still tight,” Elliott said. The No. 21 crew was able to get the adjustments done and put on two tires. He went back to the track, then came back a little while later for the other two tires. He restarted at the tail end of the line on lap 40.

A caution occurred on lap 83, and Bill reported that the car was still tight but now getting loose on entry and exit of the corners. The pit crew changed four tires, added fuel and sent Elliott back to the track in 38th on lap 88. On lap 110, Hyder radioed to Bill, "Keep doing what you're doing. On that last lap you were one of the fastest cars out there." One lap down from the leader, the team decided to make a scheduled pit stop under the green flag. As other race cars were beginning their stops, Bill moved up to the 32nd spot. He came down pit road and the team made an adjustment, put on four fresh tires and added fuel. He returned to the track in 38th on lap 158. As long green flag laps continued, Hyder radioed to Bill on lap 176 with encouraging news, "You're running as quickly as the leaders every lap."

Caution on lap 213 allowed the team to pit for four tires and fuel. They also made an adjustment to help with the increasing loose condition. The race restarted on lap 220; Bill was scored in the 36th position. Another caution two laps later prompted the team to use it as an opportunity to top off on fuel. Bill returned to the track in 37th on lap 228.

A wreck involving five race cars occurred on lap 229. At the moment when all of the cars in front of the No. 21 slowed, Bill hit the rear of the No.10 of Patrick Carpentier. The incident brought out the red flag as track safety crews cleaned debris. The team was concerned for possible damage to the grill. When NASCAR lifted the red flag, the team looked at the car as Bill drove by the pit box and saw no apparent damage. Therefore they chose not to make a pit stop. The race resumed on lap 234, and Bill was in 31st position. The caution flag flew on lap 266, and the Wood Brothers team chose to pit for two tires and fuel. They also made an adjustment then sent Bill back to the track where he restarted in the 29th position. Bill remained in the 29th spot for the rest of the race where he took the checkered flag.

Bill commented about his run in the Sylvania 300, “We struggled with track position all day. We were tight in the middle and loose off. I fought that all day. Then we got the middle better, but would be loose up off. I just couldn’t get going.”

Wood Brothers Racing will take the No. 21 Little Debbie® Ford Fusion to Dover, Delaware with driver Marcos Ambrose back behind the wheel for the Camping World RV 400 on Sunday, September 21, 2008.

To view photos of Senator McCain's visit and race day photos, visit the official Wood Brothers Racing web site at: www.WoodBrothersRacing.com Contributed by Christina Cicci, Wood Brothers Racing

Sylvania 300 Results:
1. Greg Biffle
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Carl Edwards
4. Jeff Burton
5. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
6. Kurt Busch
7. Martin Truex, Jr.
8. Tony Stewart
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Kevin Harvick
29. Bill Elliott

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