Chevy Rock & Roll 400

TROPICAL STORM HANNAH DOESN'T GET THE WOOD BROTHERS RACE TEAM DOWN

RICHMOND, VA — With the starting grid set by owner points after most of practice and qualifying were rained out due to Tropical Storm Hanna on Friday, NASCAR decided to err on the side of caution and move Saturday's night race to Sunday afternoon. Bill Elliott was able to start the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 in 37th position.

Once the green flag flew, Elliott used the first few laps to get a feel for the No. 21 U.S. Air Force Ford Fusion. As he raced around Richmond International Raceway, the first caution flag flew on lap 35. Bill reported that the car needed more traction coming off of the corners and that the car was tight. He believed that as more laps were run on the track, the racing surface would get less slick as more rubber from the tires would be laid down under the hot sun. Crew Chief David Hyder brought the No. 21 down pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. Bill restarted in the 36th position on lap 42. By lap 84, race leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. passed Elliott to put the No. 21 one lap down.

The caution flag again flew on lap 98. Bill reported more handling issues, so Hyder requested the No. 21 pit for more adjustments, four tires and fuel. He went back to the track in 38th on lap 102.
Two more cautions ensued within the next 10 laps, however Hyder kept the 21 out on the track for both cautions. On lap 127, Elliott was scored in 37th.

On lap 201, Bill reported that the tight handling issues persisted. On lap 204, the Wood Brothers Race team put on four fresh tires, added fuel and made another adjustment to help how the No. 21 handled. Elliott restarted the race in 38th on lap 208. On lap 226, he reported that the car was getting better. In an effort to make up the lost lap, the team made the decision to pit only if the other cars on the same lap stayed out.

When the No. 42 of Juan Pablo Montoya did not pit during the next caution period, Hyder made the call for Bill to pit. However, Bill had already passed the commitment line and couldn't stop. Hyder said, “We'll be alright. We'll just pit on the next caution." The race restarted on lap 232 with Elliott in 34th. Ten laps passed and the team had their opportunity to pit after another caution flag flew. The No. 21 came down pit road where the pit crew put on four fresh tires and added fuel. The race resumed on lap 246; Elliott was in 36th.

On lap 265, Hyder radioed to the crew and driver, “The lap times were as good as the top three cars.” Unfortunately, on lap 315, Bobby Labonte lost control of his No. 43 and collected Bill in the incident, yet the No. 21 experienced only minor damage. Elliott came down pit road for four tires, fuel and to repair any damage. The pit crew pulled the fender away from the left rear and sent him back to the track. With one lap to go before the restart, NASCAR put Bill at the end of the longest line for pitting before pit road was open. Bill restarted the race 35th on lap 320. Within 10 laps, Elliott reported that the engine was running hot. Hyder decided that the next time the caution flag flew, which happened on lap 360, the pit crew would remove some tape from the nose of the car, put on four tires and add fuel.

After removing the tape, adding fuel and changing tires, green flag racing resumed. However, the No. 21’s engine continued to run hot. During the next caution, which transpired on lap 370, Elliott brought the No. 21 back down pit road to remove more tape. When he returned to the track, the temperatures started to come back down to normal levels. Bill was able to run the remainder of the race where he took the checkered flag in 35th.

Bill Elliott will return in the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion in New Hampshire for the Sylvania 300 on Sunday September 14, 2008. Contributed by Christina Cicci, Wood Brothers Racing

Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Results:
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Tony Stewart
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
5. Mark Martin
6. Jeff Burton
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Jeff Gordon
9. David Reutimann
10. Kurt Busch
35. 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