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| Owner(s) | Leonard Wood Eddie Wood Keven Wood Jordan Wood Hicks Jon Wood |
|---|---|
| Base | Stuart, Virginia Mooresville, North Carolina |
| Series | NASCAR Cup Series |
| Race drivers | 21.Josh Berry |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Website | woodbrothersracing.com |
| Career | |
| Debut | Cup Series: 1953 1953–11 (Martinsville) Craftsman Truck Series: 2006GM Flex Fuel 250 (Daytona) |
| Latest race | Cup Series: 2025NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (Phoenix) Craftsman Truck Series: 2008Ford 200 (Homestead) |
| Races competed | Total: 1,873 Cup Series: 1,796 Craftsman Truck Series: 77 |
| Drivers' Championships | Total: 0 Cup Series: 0 Craftsman Truck Series: 0 |
| Race victories | Total: 101 Cup Series: 101 Craftsman Truck Series: 0 |
| Pole positions | Total: 120 Cup Series: 119 Craftsman Truck Series: 1 |
Wood Brothers Racing is an American professionalstock car racing team that currently competes in theNASCAR Cup Series. The team was formed in 1950 by brothers Ray Lee, Clay, Delano,Glen, andLeonard Wood. Today, it is owned by the children and grandchildren of Glen Wood—Len Wood, Eddie Wood, Kim Hall, Jon Wood, Jordan Hicks, Brent Wood and Keven Wood. From 2006 to 2008, the team was merged with Tad and Jodi Geschickter'sJTG Racing. The Wood Brothers Racing Team holds the unique distinction of being the oldest active team in NASCAR, having fielded cars since 1950. They are known for their long relationship withFord Motor Company, and the long-standing use of the number 21 on their main car. The team currently fields the No. 21Ford Mustang full-time forJosh Berry and has a technical alliance withTeam Penske.
The Wood Brothers Racing Team was founded in 1950 by brothers from theBlue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Walter and Ada Wood, who owned a farm near Woolwine andStuart, Virginia, had five sons—Glen, Leonard, Delano, Clay, and Ray Lee—and one daughter, Crystal.[1] The sons worked with their father as mechanics, farmers, and lumbermen.Glen Wood cut timber and hauled lumber to local sawmills, and the brothers honed their auto mechanic skills in their father’s garage. Inspired byCurtis Turner, a local sawmill operator and champion racecar driver known for his "win or crash" style, the brothers formed astock car racing team. Turner, who later co-ownedCharlotte Motor Speedway, eventually became a driver for the Wood Brothers.
In the early 1950s, the Wood Brothers needed a driver, so they asked their friend John Conway, who declined. They then recruited fellow lumberman Chris Williams. Back then, race teams drove their cars to the track, raced, and then drove them home. Williams and the Wood Brothers bought their first car for $50, leading them to number it 50—years before adopting their iconic No. 21.[2] Chris Williams and Glen Wood each drove in a few races for the team, which included Williams, his brothers, and the Wood brothers. They found success, winning atBowman Gray Stadium inWinston-Salem, NC, andMartinsville Speedway inMartinsville, VA.
After their early success, Chris Williams sold his share of the team to Glen Wood to focus on his lumber business. The Wood Brothers then enlisted local friends and family, including Wood's cousin Ralph Edwards, to fill team roles. Over the years, the Wood Brothers Racing Team grew from a weekend hobby into a full-time business.Glen andLeonard worked full-time building and preparing cars, while the other brothers and crew helped on nights and weekends outside their regular jobs. Their first permanent shop was located at the edge ofStuart, Virginia.
The team permanently adopted the No. 21, making it as iconic in NASCAR as Petty's No. 43 and Earnhardt's No. 3. Drawn by the big cash prizes at Superspeedway races in cities likeDaytona,Charlotte, andDarlington, the Wood Brothers shifted focus.Glen Wood stepped back from driving, and they began hiring proven winners to drive the No. 21 Ford at various tracks.
The team quickly rose to compete at the highest levels, achieving victories through the mechanical genius of brothers, relatives, and friends.Leonard Wood's talent in engine work soon earned the team acclaim, rivaling only the legendaryHolman-Moody engines andthe Petty racing dynasty ofLee andRichard Petty.
The Wood Brothers revolutionized motor racing by inventing themodern pit stop. In the early days of racing, drivers would pull into the pits, turn off their cars, step out, and sometimes even smoke a cigarette while the crew took their time changing tires and servicing the vehicle. The Wood Brothers realized that minimizing time off the track could improve their position. They developed and perfected the quick, efficientpit stop we know today—a staple of all types of racing, as integral as the checkered flag itself.
As other teams noticed the Wood Brothers' success with efficient pit stops, they quickly adopted the Wood method. The Wood team, however, continued to refine pit stops into a precise, mechanical ballet, maintaining their advantage over competitors. Other racing organizations took note of the Wood Brothers' pit stop innovations. In 1965, Ford invited the Wood Brothers team to theIndianapolis 500 to support the Lotus-Ford team. Their speed and precision in the pits contributed toJim Clark's victory in the1965 Indianapolis 500.
After their Indianapolis 500 win, Wood Brothers Racing gained international acclaim as motorsport pioneers and leaders. Featured inSports Illustrated and other major media, they built a top-tier roster of drivers, with victories rivaled only byRichard Petty.
The Wood Brothers signed a long-term deal withPurolator as the primary sponsor for the No. 21 car. Their drivers through the mid-1960s included top stock car racers likeCurtis Turner,Marvin Panch,Fireball Roberts,Parnelli Jones,Tiny Lund,Junior Johnson,Speedy Thompson,Fred Lorenzen, andCale Yarborough.
The Wood Brothers fielded a second car, the No. 121, in select races, even entering three cars in one event. Open-wheel starDan Gurney, known for his success inIndycar andFormula One, drove the No. 121 on NASCAR road courses for the team. The Gurney-Wood pairing dominated, winning every race Gurney entered for them, including theMotor Trend 500 atRiverside International Raceway,Moreno Valley, CA in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1968. In the 1968 season, the Wood Brothers earned over $160,000 ($1,508,822 Today) in single-season winnings—a remarkable amount for that era in any form of auto racing.
In the early 1970s, the Wood Brothers maintained their success with the No. 21 car, known for its lightning-quickpit stops and powerful engines, which posed a formidable challenge to competitors on the NASCAR circuit. Legendary drivers likeDonnie Allison andA.J. Foyt, an open-wheel Indy 500 winner, also took turns behind the wheel of the Wood car.
As the team participated in more events and traveled greater distances, the personnel in the wood shop began to change.Glen Wood emerged as the team's leader and patriarch. His young sons, Eddie and Len, started working in the shop in menial labor roles. Glen's brother, Delano Wood, became one of the greatest pit crew members, with unmatched skill as a jackman even today. Additionally, family friends, including Cecil Wilson from neighboringLawsonville, North Carolina, soon joined the team.
In 1972,David Pearson became the full-time driver of the No. 21 car, launching one of motorsports' most successful runs. From 1972 to 1979, the team competed in 143 races, securing 46 wins and 51 poles, with race earnings exceeding $1.3 million.
In 1976, with Pearson still driving, the Wood Brothers achievedNASCAR's "Triple Crown" by winning theDaytona 500 atDaytona, theWorld 600 atCharlotte, and theSouthern 500 atDarlington. Due to their remarkable success and exemplary qualities as role models and ambassadors of the sport, the Wood Brothers were invited to theWhite House in the late 1970s at the request ofPresident Jimmy Carter. This occasion marked a historic moment for the brothers and their friends from the small town ofStuart, Virginia.
As NASCAR gained prominence as an emerging sport, the Wood team quickly earned a reputation as one of the best. They were often celebrated and compared to top athletes from other sports, such as baseball legendReggie Jackson, football starsTerry Bradshaw andFranco Harris, and basketball iconsJulius Erving andKareem Abdul-Jabbar. Due to growth and increased demand, the No. 21 team relocated from its former shop to a new facility at the junction of Dobyns Road and Mayo Court in Stuart, where it would remain for many years.
The 1980s brought significant changes to NASCAR and the No. 21 team. DriverDavid Pearson departed, making way for rising starNeil Bonnett fromHueytown, Alabama. Bonnett was part of the "Alabama Gang," which included notable drivers likeBobby andDonnie Allison, as well as later membersDavey Allison andHut Stricklin.
Bonnett and the Wood Brothers team enjoyed a successful partnership that spanned three and a half seasons and 83 races, achieving nine victories and over $700,000 ($2,280,793 today) in winnings. During the "Bonnett Years," Purolator's longtime president, Paul Cameron, retired, leading to the conclusion of the Wood Brothers' long-term sponsorship withPurolator. This marked the end of one of the most enduring and iconic sponsorships in NASCAR history.
The No. 21 car was sponsored by National Engineer, a California-based company specializing in research and development across various industries. The company was owned by the Warner Hodgdon, who prominently featured his name on the No. 21 car as its main sponsor. This sponsorship was considered one of the richest deals in NASCAR history, further solidifying Wood's status as a leader in the sport. Many original team members, including brothers Clay and Ray Lee Wood, have retired from racing, choosing to focus on their families and other careers inPatrick County.
As the number of race events increased and the demands of running a team intensified each season, the Wood Brothers hired younger team members to fill the gaps. This included the son of original crew member Jimmy Edwards and the Wood Brothers' cousin, Ralph Edwards. They also welcomed Curtis Quesinberry and Hylton Tatum fromStuart, along with another young relative, Butch Moricle. Additional personnel were recruited from nearby Virginia towns such asDanville andRoanoke. During these years, Kim Wood, the only daughter of Glen and Bernece Wood, emerged in an important role. While still in high school, she began handling administrative tasks for the team, assisting her mother with secretarial duties, travel arrangements, and the business aspects of team operations.
In the mid-1980s,NASCAR entered what is now known as the modern era of the sport. Television coverage evolved from sporadic broadcasts onABC'sWide World of Sports to full-time coverage of theDaytona 500 byCBS and live race broadcasts by emerging cable networks likeESPN andTBS. NASCAR secured permanent corporate sponsorship fromR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, leading to a rebranding of the sport's top series from the Grand National Division to theWinston Cup Series. Notably, R.J. Reynolds, the company's founder, was born and raised inPatrick County, just a few miles from the Wood Brothers team's headquarters.
The Modern Era marked the first comprehensive quest for points championships among most teams. Since the 1950s, many teams participated in only select races. However, to compete for the series title and its substantial cash prize, teams were now required to participate in all events within the scheduled season. The Wood Brothers made the decision to transition to a full-time racing schedule, which significantly increased the team's workload and required greater investments of time, money, and manpower. As part of this new commitment, Warner Hodgdon and National Engineering departed as sponsors, andValvoline was brought on as the team's primary patron.
In 1983, legendary driverBuddy Baker was hired to replace the departingNeil Bonnett in the No. 21 car. However, he and the Woods team struggled for the first time in many years, lasting only two seasons together. Despite this, they achieved a notable victory at theFirecracker 400 atDaytona that same year. Baker and the Woods parted ways, along withValvoline as the sponsor. International star driverBobby Rahal from theIndyCar series briefly filled Baker's vacant seat for one race.
The1985 season was historic forNASCAR as youngKyle Petty, the grandson of legendaryLee Petty and son of series dominatorRichard Petty, was hired to drive the No. 21 car full-time. This marked a unique partnership between the two most successful racing families in NASCAR history.
This also marked the first addition of a new sponsor to the Wood Brothers team. For the 1985 season, the team partnered with a trio of corporate sponsors:7-Eleven,Citgo, andChief Auto Parts. As part of this marketing strategy, the Wood Brothers were required to relinquish their iconic No. 21 car number and adopt the No. 7 to align with the7-Eleven sponsorship. This change sparked significant discussion among the team's fans, who associated the No. 21 with the legendary history of the Virginia-based team. This also marked the emergence of the second generation of the Wood Brothers, Eddie and Len, who had taken on increased responsibilities within the team over the years. They were now effectively calling the shots on race day, fostering an "anything goes" attitude that was embraced by the entire team.
By this time, many of the older team members had retired, including Delano Wood, the original member and brother. He retired to focus on his burgeoning lumber business and to spend more time with his family and church. Most races were held on Sundays, which left little opportunity for regular worship and family attendance at church.
With a younger team, a new driver, and a fresh sponsor, the Wood Brothers aimed to recapture their past glory. However, as the 1970s and 1980s progressed, many of the cutting-edge innovations they had pioneered were either replicated or adopted by other teams, dulling their competitive edge. Despite this, the Wood Brothers were experiencing a unique resurgence in their legacy as NASCAR legends.
Kyle Petty achieved victory in his second season with the Wood Brothers atRichmond Raceway inRichmond, Virginia. In 1987, the team returned to their traditional No. 21 car and won theCoca-Cola 600 atCharlotte Motor Speedway. Just as the Petty-Wood partnership was starting to flourish, Kyle Petty was drawn to a new opportunity withSABCO Racing, owned byFelix Sabates. Unable to turn down the lucrative offer, Petty left the Wood Brothers after four seasons and 115 races. During their time together, the team won two races and earned over $1.3 million.
After Petty's departure and a brief three-race stint with substitute driverTommy Ellis, the Wood Brothers hired their former driverNeil Bonnett to once again pilot the No. 21 car. This reunion was seen as a potential turning point for the Woods as they sought to reclaim their position at the top of the sport. Both Bonnett and the Wood Brothers were optimistic about their future together, with the chemistry from their earlier successes still evident.
After just 31 races together, spanning one full season and the start of another, Bonnett suffered serious injuries in a crash atDarlington Raceway. This left him questioning whether he could race again, and he parted ways with the Wood team, leaving an empty seat that was later filled byDale Jarrett. During this period, sponsorship shuffling became common across all NASCAR teams. Recognizing the immense value of NASCAR sponsorship, major companies likePepsi,Mello Yello,Ford Motorcraft, andProcter & Gamble secured lucrative deals with the sport's top teams.
The face of the sport was also changing. Alongside the full schedule and championship points races, a new generation of drivers, includingDarrell Waltrip,Dale Earnhardt,Bill Elliott,Rusty Wallace,Ricky Rudd,Terry Labonte, andGeoff Bodine, had become powerful stars and champions. During this era, young drivers likeDavey Allison,Ward andJeff Burton,Jeff Gordon, andBobby Labonte were emerging as the sport's future, making their way up through the lower-rankedBusch Grand National Series.
New technologies and innovations began to dominate the sport, transforming NASCAR teams into highly organized operations run like corporations or major sports franchises. Prominent names such asHendrick Motorsports,Penske Racing,Roush Racing,SABCO,Larry Hedrick Motorsports, andRobert Yates Racing emerged, overtaking the dominance previously held by teams likeJunior Johnson,Melling Racing, andPetty Enterprises.
The Wood Brothers expanded their team to keep up with NASCAR's growth, adding more employees and assigning some to work in the shop and others to the race-day crew. New team members, such as Bennie Belcher, Butch Mitchell, and outside engine builder Tommy Turner, helped bring the team in line with other NASCAR competitors.
By1990, the Wood Brothers returned to the No. 21Ford withCitgo as their sponsor. After losingNeil Bonnett early in the season, Eddie and Len Wood needed a replacement driver. They turned to their longtime friendDale Jarrett, who was ready for his chance in the Winston Cup Series. As the son of former NASCAR champion and broadcasterNed Jarrett, Dale Jarrett had grown up in the sport alongside the Wood Brothers.
The choice of Jarrett turned out to be a brilliant one. In their first full season together in1991, Jarrett brought the Wood Brothers' No. 21 car to victory lane atMichigan, narrowly defeatingDavey Allison in one of NASCAR's closest finishes. This victory demonstrated that the Wood Brothers team still had what it took to win and marked a significant milestone for Jarrett, providing his first career win and serving as a launching pad for one of the most successful careers in modern NASCAR history.
The Michigan victory upheld a unique tradition for the Wood Brothers team: every rookie driver who had completed a full season in their No. 21 car had secured at least one win. Even more impressive, from 1953 to 2002, every driver who raced a full season with the Wood Brothers had achieved at least one victory, though in one instance, the win was not in a points-paying race.
The Wood-Jarrett partnership was regarded as one of the most promising in NASCAR. However, Jarrett was soon drawn away byWashington Commanders coach andJoe Gibbs, who established a new teamJoe Gibbs Racing with the financial resources to attract Jarrett. Leaving the No. 21 car, Jarrett began driving the No. 18Interstate BatteriesChevy, a move that led to his firstDaytona 500 victory.
Jarrett's tenure in the No. 21 car was brief, spanning only 53 races across two seasons, but it resulted in one victory and over $600,000 in earnings. This experience further solidified the Wood Brothers team's reputation as a premier organization in NASCAR, known for nurturing future superstars.
After Jarrett's departure, the Woods turned to veteran driverMorgan Shepherd to fill the seat for the1992 season. Shepherd had been a reliable performer in the top series throughout his career and was a strong championship contender. His consistent top finishes would bring stability to the team as they adapted to the evolving landscape of the sport.
The new decade ushered in significant changes in NASCAR, characterized by a greater emphasis on technology and engineering. Engineers became a standard presence within teams, and race-day crews began training like professional athletes. In fact, many teams even hired professional athletes to assist with car servicing duringpit stops. The cost of racing increased significantly, and its appeal doubled each year. NASCAR was now broadcast live internationally and enjoyed popularity comparable to traditional stick-and-ball sports among fans and advertisers.
Team turnover became frequent as Eddie and Len searched for the ideal combination of chemistry to succeed. They added new members from nearbyMount Airy, North Carolina, including Rick Simmons and Mike "Andretti" Smith. They also hired paint and body specialistsTerry Hill andChris Martin. Meanwhile, longtime members Butch Moricle, Butch Mitchell, Hylton Tatum, and Cecil Wilson had become seasoned veterans on the team.
Glen Wood's daughter, Kim, emerged as a competent leader within the team, excelling in her role. Alongside managing the business and administrative functions, she operated as a "one-woman show," handling all bookings, reservations, accommodations, travel, and financial matters for the team. While other teams, likeRichard Childress Racing, employed a full-time staff of a dozen administrative workers, Kim demonstrated her professionalism in this field, matching her brothers' expertise in the mechanical and competitive aspects of the team.
By this time, Kim Wood had married crew member Terry Hall and became Kim Wood-Hall. Terry Hall, a crucial member of the team, served as a general mechanic and truck driver. He replaced the legendary Delano Wood as jackman on race day after Delano's retirement several years earlier. Hailing fromMount Airy, Terry also helped recruit new team members through his connections in the area.
The No. 21 team continued to innovate in the sport they helped build by experimenting with various changes. They had previously outsourced much of their engine work and, during this period, contractedRobert Yates Racing to supply engine parts for the No. 21. Additionally, they implemented weight training routines for crew members and enhanced their use of technology during race day competition.
The Wood team, always at the forefront of innovation inpit stops, consistently practiced and sought new improvements in their race day skills. They utilized computers extensively for car setup and timing. By hiring race day specialists like spotter Chuck Joyce and part-time scorers/timers, the team remained at the cutting edge of competitive development.
In the early 1990s, Eddie Wood, Len Wood, and Kim Wood-Hall each took ownership positions in the team. Previously, theGlen Wood Company had owned the team, with patriarchGlen Wood controlling its direction. Longtime co-founder and formercrew chiefLeonard Wood had stepped down from his role years prior, and Eddie Wood had officially assumed the position of crew chief for the No. 21 Ford.
Morgan Shepherd performed exceptionally well with the No. 21Citgo-sponsored car, achieving consistent finishes throughout his four seasons with the Wood Brothers. Together, they secured 52 top-ten finishes and earned over $4 million. Their sole victory came at the1993 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 inAtlanta Motor Speedway, a race postponed for six days due to a snowstorm the previous weekend. This win was a significant boost for the team, which had been struggling sinceDale Jarrett's victory atMichigan.
As the1996 season approached, the Woods sought a younger driver to take the helm of the No. 21 Ford. With Shepherd nearing retirement and the rise of youthful talent likeJeff Gordon, the team aimed to capitalize on this trend. They parted ways with Shepherd and welcomedMichael Waltrip, the younger brother of three-time series champion and1989 Daytona 500 winnerDarrell Waltrip.
Although they did not achieve an official regular-season victory, Waltrip and the Wood Brothers celebrated an impressive win at the1996 Winston Select All-Star Race. In their first season together, the team delivered a remarkable performance that earned them a $200,000 ($400,976 Today) prize that night, showcasing exceptional teamwork. During Waltrip's three-season, 95-race tenure with the Woods, the team amassed over $3.7 million in winnings.
At the start of the1999 season, the Wood Brothers brought inElliott Sadler to replace the departingMichael Waltrip. Like the Wood family, Sadler is a Virginia native with deep roots in racing. As a young and talented rookie, Sadler aimed to make a name for himself in theWinston Cup Series. Given the Wood Brothers' strong reputation for developing new talent, many anticipated great success from this partnership.
The No. 21 team underwent pivotal changes during this period. After decades at their old shop on Dobyns Road in Stuart, the Wood Brothers built a massive, state-of-the-art facility at the town’s Industrial Park. This new location was modern, spacious, and provided ample room for the team’s continued growth and development.
The new home also featured a museum dedicated to Wood Brothers memorabilia and history.Glen Wood’s wife, Bernice, who had served as the family's unofficial archivist since the 1950s, curated an impressive collection of historical items for race fans to enjoy. She and Kim spent countless hours perfecting the museum, offering guided tours of the entire facility to visitors from around the world. The museum delighted fans and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most welcoming and enjoyable destinations for anyNASCAR enthusiast.
Personnel changes continued over the years, with some staff departing and new hires joining the team. A full-time secretarial assistant, Annpaige Bowles, was hired a few years earlier to help manage demanding office tasks and oversee the museum. To strengthen the workforce, previous hires included William Fulp, John Ilowiecki, and Barry Sheppard, who brought expertise as parts managers, couriers, engineers, and shock specialists. Additionally, new equipment such as a chassis dyno and a shock dyno was introduced.
Among the recent hires was legendary engine builder Danny Glad. He had previously worked with the Paul Andrews-ledAlan Kulwicki team in 1992 and joined the Woods after leavingGeoff Bodine. Danny Glad, along with renowned figures likeRandy Dorton and Lou Larosa, was considered one of the top engine specialists in the sport.
Young Elliott Sadler began his career in the No. 21 car and quickly established himself among the top performers inNASCAR. Eddie and Len Wood made a significant move by hiringCrew Chief Mike Beam, the first non-Wood family member to hold that position for the No. 21 team. Beam, who had previously achieved success withJunior Johnson,Bud Moore, and others, brought valuable experience to the team. This partnership with Sadler also enabled Eddie and Len to focus more on managing their growing business operations.
In 2000, Wood Brothers Racing celebrated a historic milestone: their 50th anniversary. A special ceremony was held to honor their significant achievements. Hailing from the small town of Stuart inthe Blue Ridge Mountains, the team, composed of brothers, relatives, and friends, gained international acclaim as pioneers in motorsport competition. That year, brothersGlen Wood andLeonard Wood were also inducted into the prestigiousMotorsports Hall of Fame of America.[3]
In the2001 season, the Sadler-Wood combination started to show results on the track, with Sadler securing his first victory in the No. 21 Ford atBristol. This win was significant as it marked the Wood Brothers' first triumph at Bristol in their history and their first win in eight years.[4] The team had not focused onshort tracks likeBristol for many years, primarily concentrating onsuperspeedways.
During this period, the relationship between Wood Brothers Racing andRoush Racing, led by engine expertJack Roush from Michigan, strengthened significantly. Roush fielded several competitive teams, including those driven byJeff Burton andMark Martin. This partnership provided the Wood Brothers with access to the engineering and engine resources that most multi-car teams used to dominate the sport. This collaboration enabled the Woods to leverage a diverse range of specialists and research in their pursuit of victory.
Elliott Sadler continued to improve with the No. 21 car, quickly becoming a target for other teams. The Woods were known for nurturing talent and had invested significant time and effort in bringing Sadler to prominence. After the2002 season, Sadler transitioned toRobert Yates Racing. His time with the Wood team spanned 139 races, the longest single stint for a driver of the No. 21 sinceDavid Pearson's era. During their partnership, Sadler and the Woods secured one victory atBristol and earned over $9 million in just four seasons.
During Sadler's time in the No. 21, the long-term sponsorship between Wood Brothers Racing andCitgo Petroleum came to an end, marking the conclusion of a historic nearly 20-year partnership.Citgo was replaced byFord Motorcraft and theUnited States Air Force, establishing the Wood Brothers team as the de facto "factory team" forFord Motor Company.
Eddie Wood and his wife Carol have two children: daughter Jordan and son Jonathan. Jordan was a rising beauty queen in local and regional pageants and an award-winning dancer at the Patrick County Dancing Arts Center. In her free time, she helped with administrative duties at the Wood Brothers Racing office to learn about the team's operations. Jonathan followed in the family's footsteps as a competitive racer. Later, Jordan worked for NASCAR before joining the family team full-time in marketing communications.
Jon Wood is following in his grandfather's footsteps as a driver, competing in the World Karting Series and other racing events. Many speculate about his future in NASCAR and with the Wood Brothers team. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President, overseeing merchandise operations and actively managing the team's day-to-day activities.
Veteran driver and Virginia nativeRicky Rudd, who previously raced forRobert Yates Racing, took over the seat once occupied byElliott Sadler. In his first season with the team in 2003, Rudd achieved five top-ten finishes and earned over $3 million in winnings. He nearly won a race, finishing in second place during his inaugural year driving the No. 21 car.
Eddie and Len Wood worked diligently to find the right mix of crew members and chemistry for their team. After several personnel changes, they ultimately hired Michael "Fatback" McSwain as the crew chief for the No. 21Motorcraft-sponsoredFord. McSwain and driverRicky Rudd had previously collaborated atRobert Yates Racing several years earlier.
Meanwhile, the youngJon Wood continued to dominate short tracks across the South and Mid-Atlantic in the Late Model Stock Series andCraftsman Truck Series. Racing for ownerJack Roush, Wood quickly earned a reputation as a "racer" rather than just a "driver," thanks to his hard-charging style and his mature evolution into a competitive force.
Keven Wood began his racing career during this time. The son of Len and Nancy Wood, he studied Motorsports Technology atPatrick & Henry Community College while working at the family race shop. Keven absorbed everything about racing, from car chassis setup to engine tuning. He started racing as a driver in 2002 in the Legends Series, quickly making his mark on every track. His talent shone through, leading to hard-fought victories. In 2004, he moved to the Late Model Stock Series, a challenging environment for emerging champions.
The 2004 Series was a success for the Wood Brothers, but times were changing once again.R.J. Reynolds had withdrawn its sponsorship fromNASCAR several years earlier due to lawsuits against tobacco companies, and the top series was now known as theNASCAR Cup Series. The costs of operating a team had reached an all-time high, requiring up to $10 million per year from corporate sponsors just to field a car for a season.
In 2004, the Wood Brothers left their roots in Stuart to establish their main operations nearCharlotte, North Carolina. Recognizing that all competitive teams were based in this area, the Woods understood that the move was essential to their pursuit of the Sprint Cup. Relocating toMooresville, North Carolina provided them with better resources and greater access to personnel and technology in the heart ofNASCAR racing, leading to significant changes in team composition. The Woods maintain their shop in Stuart, primarily as a museum and as a secondary facility to their main operations in North Carolina.
Rudd and the Wood Brothers had a successful run in 2004, nearly winning and finishing in second place. They also secured a pole position, marking the team's first since 1984, whenBuddy Baker drove the No. 21.
In the 2005 season,Ricky Rudd secured another second-place finish in the No. 21 car atSonoma and earned over $4 million in winnings. At the end of the season, Rudd announced his retirement after just three seasons with the Wood Brothers, a time marked by significant changes for the team.
The Woods announced that veteranKen Schrader would drive the No. 21 car in the2006. The team secured new primary sponsorship fromMcKee Foods, while theUnited States Air Force continued as an associate sponsor alongsideMotorcraft. Throughout the season, all three sponsors rotated primary sponsorship duties.
In 2005, a significant shift towards the future was announced for the Wood Brothers Racing Team. They entered into a partnership agreement withJTG Daugherty Racing, based in North Carolina, starting with the 2006 season.JTG Daugherty Racing originated from ST Racing, which competes in theCraftsman Truck Series and theXfinity Series, and is owned by Tad and Jodi Geschickter.[5]
Among the changes to the No. 21 team was the promotion of Michael "Fatback" McSwain from crew chief to manager of racing operations. David Hyder, who previously worked with Schrader atBAM Racing, was hired as the crew chief for the 2006 season.
JTG Daugherty Racing fielded several entries, including the No. 21Nextel Cup car driven byKen Schrader, the No. 47CloroxFord Taurus in theBusch Series driven byJon Wood, and the No. 59Kingsford/Bush's Baked BeansFord Taurus driven byStacy Compton.
In 2007,Schrader and youngJon Wood planned to share driving duties in the No. 21 car. Wood participated in one of the two races he attempted but was then pulled from both the No. 21 and his No. 47 Busch car due to medical issues. As a result, 1988 championBill Elliott was brought in to address qualifying and sponsorship challenges. The sponsors remained the same as in 2006. The Wood Brothers also entered a second car numbered 47 (JTG Daugherty Racing's car number) for two events:Las Vegas with Schrader andKansas with Jon. Unfortunately, both drivers failed to qualify for their respective races.
In 2008, Elliott,Marcos Ambrose, and Jon Wood shared driving duties for the No. 21 car. Ambrose, who drove theJTG Daugherty No. 59, had committed to a partial schedule before the two teams ended their partnership. He recorded a best finish of third atWatkins Glen and had a strong performance in his debut race atSonoma Raceway. Ambrose later began driving part-time for theJTG Daugherty Racing No. 47 team atIndy. When JTG switched toToyota, he left the Wood Brothers team, taking sponsorMcKee Foods with him.Jon Wood competed in two races that season, while Elliott participated in 24, achieving a best finish of 12th.
In2009, the Wood Brothers competed in a partial schedule, participating in only 13 races afterAir Force andMcKee Foods switched to other teams, leaving Ford as the sole sponsor through theirMotorcraft brand. The season featured four Top-10 qualifying efforts, with a season-best fourth place at Indianapolis.Bill Elliott'sMotorcraftFord Fusion achieved four Top-16 finishes, and the team earned over $1.3 million.
In2010, the Wood Brothers returned to the racetrack to celebrate their 60th anniversary inNASCAR. They aimed for their fifthDaytona 500 victory atDaytona in February, withBill Elliott driving theMotorcraftFord Fusion.Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centers also joined as a sponsor for the season. Elliott competed in eleven races that year, whileRoush Fenway Racing development driverTrevor Bayne made hisSprint Cup debut with the Wood Brothers in theAAA Texas 500 on November 7.
In2011,Bayne became the youngest driver in Wood Brothers Racing history, taking the wheel of the No. 21 car for at least 17 races, including the first five of the season.[6] He had a strong debut in theCup Series in 2010, finishing 17th atTexas while remaining on the lead lap.Motorcraft/Quick Lane continued to sponsor the team throughout the 2011 season. On February 20, just a day after his 20th birthday, Bayne won theDaytona 500, marking Wood Brothers Racing's first victory sinceElliott Sadler won atBristol in 2001.[7] This win attracted additional sponsorship fromCamping World/Good Sam for several races, including theAll-Star Race.Ricky Stenhouse Jr. replaced Bayne atthe Coca-Cola 600 after he was diagnosed with what was initially thought to beLyme disease but was later revealed to bemultiple sclerosis.
The team lost its additional sponsorship for2012, except forthe All-Star Race, whereCamping World/Good Sam returned as a sponsor. For the remainder of the season, the car, driven by Bayne, competed on a limited schedule with theFord Motorcraft/Quick Lane sponsorship.
Bayne continued to run a limited schedule in both2013 and2014, but the team did not return to victory lane. It was later announced that Bayne would compete full-time inRoush Fenway Racing'sNo. 6 Cup car in2015.
In2015, Ryan Blaney was announced as the driver of the No. 21 car, marking an alliance between the Wood Brothers andTeam Penske. The team's best result that season was a fourth-place finish at theTalladega spring race. Although Blaney only qualified for 16 races out of 19 attempts—an improvement from their 12-race schedules in 2013 and 2014—the team finished 41st in owner points, surpassing theNo. 32,No. 26, andNo. 62, all of which attempted the full schedule.
In2016, Blaney returned for a full-time season, the team's first since 2008 and the first with a single driver since 2006.[8] He achieved nine top-10 finishes and ended the season ranked 20th in points. In December 2016, Go Fas Racing announced that they would lease their charter to Wood Brothers Racing, guaranteeing the No. 21 a starting spot in every race of the2017 season.[9]
In2017, Ryan Blaney began the season with a runner-up finish in theDaytona 500, which was won by fellow Ford driverKurt Busch. He nearly won theTexas spring race, leading a race-high 148 laps, but apit road mishap prevented him from taking the victory. Blaney also led two of the three stages in that race. Later, he came close to winning theKansas spring race after winning thepole position and winning Stage 2, but ultimately finished fourth. Blaney secured his first career Cup Series victory at theAxalta Presents the Pocono 400,[10] marking the Wood Brothers' first win since the2011 Daytona 500, beating second-place driverKevin Harvick. The win was well-received, with competitors surrounding the No. 21 in a show of respect and joy during the cool-down lap. With 14 top-ten finishes, Blaney advanced to the Round of 8 in the playoffs and finished the season ninth in points. On July 26, 2017, it was announced thatRyan Blaney would move toa third car forTeam Penske in 2018.
In2018,Paul Menard would transfer fromRichard Childress Racing to the No. 21 car, which would continue to carry theMenards sponsorship as part of the agreement withPenske.[11] Menard achieved seven top-10 finishes, including a fifth-place finish at theMichigan June race, and ended the season ranked 19th in the drivers' standings.
In2019, Team co-founderGlen Wood died on January 18 at the age of 93.[12] Meanwhile, Menard achieved only four top-10 finishes and finished 19th in points. On July 12, 2019, Menard announced that he had signed a contract for the2020 season, indicating his intention to stay with the Wood Brothers team.[13] However, on September 10, he announced that he would retire from full-time racing at the end of the2019 season.
In2020,Matt DiBenedetto replacedPaul Menard for the season.[14] On July 15, 2020, DiBenedetto won theAll-Star Open, qualifying for the team's third-everAll-Star Race, where he finished 13th in the main event. In collaboration with Penske, the team announced that DiBenedetto would drive the car in2021, after whichAustin Cindric would take over in2022.[15] On December 30, 2020,Bob Pockrass reported that Wood Brothers Racing had purchased the charter they had leased fromGo Fas Racing since 2017.
On July 15, 2021, it was confirmed thatMatt DiBenedetto would not be returning to Wood Brothers Racing in 2022.[16] On the same day,Harrison Burton was announced as DiBenedetto's replacement. (AlthoughAustin Cindric was originally announced to drive the No. 21 car for the2022 season, he was instead moved toTeam Penske'sNo. 2 cup car, replacingBrad Keselowski.)
In2024, Burton secured his first career victory at theCoke Zero Sugar 400, marking the 100th win for Wood Brothers Racing.[17] He was eliminated from the playoffs following the Round of 16.[18] On October 25, crew chiefJeremy Bullins departed from Wood Brothers Racing and was replaced by Grant Hutchens for the remainder of the season.[19]
On July 3, 2024, it was announced that Burton would not return to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025, withJosh Berry named as his replacement.[20]
Berry started the2025 season with a 37th place DNF at the2025 Daytona 500. A month later, he scored his first Cup Series win atLas Vegas, and the 101st win for Wood Brothers Racing. This win marked the first time since the1986 and1987 seasons that the Wood Brothers won in back to back seasons (both won with Kyle Petty).[21] Berry was eliminated after the Round of 16 of the playoffs as a result of three consecutive DNFs.[22]
The team ran a single race in 2006 at Atlanta, with Kelly Bires driving the No. 19 truck. Bires started in 29th place and finished 19th.[N 1]
The No. 20 truck made its debut in2006 at theGM Flex Fuel 250, sponsored by theUnited States Air Force in partnership withJTG Racing.Jon Wood drove the truck atDaytona andFontana, finishing 16th and 9th, respectively.Bobby East competed in one race atAtlanta, where he finished 23rd. For the remainder of the season,JTG Racing's development driverMarcos Ambrose took over, earning one pole position and two third-place finishes. In2007 the truck's number changed to No. 09.Joey Clanton, who broughtZaxby’s as a sponsor, shared driving duties with formerBusch Series veteranStacy Compton. Clanton went on and winROTY that year despite only running a few races.
A year later, in2008, Clanton brought both the No. 09 andZaxby's sponsorship toRoush Fenway Racing, which allowedJTG Racing/Wood Brothers to revert to using the No. 20. However, the truck team only lasted for eight races before shutting down due to a lack of funding.
The No. 21 truck debuted in2006 with sponsorship fromEdy's Ice Cream and State Fair Corn Dogs at Daytona, driven initially byStacy Compton for the first two races. Afterward,Jon Wood took over driving duties at Atlanta, followed byBobby East, who drove the truck for the remainder of the season and achieved a best finish of eleventh place.
East was not retained for the2007 season. The team planned to run development driverKelly Bires in nineteen races, withMark Martin driving the remaining six. Late in the season, Bires moved up to theBusch Series, replacingJon Wood, who took over his spot in the No. 21 truck.
In2008, Jon andKeven Wood shared the No. 21 truck, which was sponsored by the United States Air Force. However, in December of that year, Keven Wood announced in an interview that the team had ceased its Truck operation due to a lack of sponsorship.[23]
The Wood Brothers Racing Team gained recognition inNASCAR for their exceptional pit work, attracting the attention of racers across various motorsports. As a result, efficientpit stops became a trend in other auto racing competitions.
In 1965,IndyCar teams took notice whenLotus ownerColin Chapman hired the Wood Brothers to handle pit stops for his car, driven byScottishFormula One starJim Clark, during theIndy 500. This was the first instance of aNASCARstock car crew servicing anIndyCar team. Thanks to their efforts, Clark improved his track position and ultimately drove into victory lane, winning the race with the Wood Brothers as his crew.
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| NASCAR Cup Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Driver | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | Owners | Pts |
| 1985 | Kyle Petty | 7 | Ford | DAY 37 | RCH 7 | CAR 5 | ATL 11 | BRI 6 | DAR 12 | NWS 12 | MAR 11 | TAL 2 | DOV 3 | CLT 14 | RSD 5 | POC 14 | MCH 12 | DAY 5 | POC 7 | TAL 25 | MCH 4 | BRI 16 | DAR 10 | RCH 8 | DOV 15 | MAR 5 | NWS 28 | CLT 22 | CAR 31 | ATL 29 | RSD 27 | [N 2] | ||
| 1986 | DAY 16 | RCH 1 | CAR 11 | ATL 28 | BRI 9 | DAR 9 | NWS 8 | MAR 5 | TAL 31 | DOV 19 | CLT 20 | RSD 41 | POC 8 | MCH 32 | DAY 5 | POC 8 | TAL 9 | GLN 9 | MCH 28 | BRI 30 | DAR 14 | RCH 20 | DOV 3 | MAR 6 | NWS 14 | CLT 13 | CAR 10 | ATL 7 | RSD 15 | [N 2] | ||||
