[Bob Tanner]

From jayski.com this morning:
Wood Brothers team to cut back to 12 races in 2009: The legendary #21-Wood Brothers organization will run only 12 Sprint Cup races next season. Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing, said tough economic times have forced the organization to enter only the season-opening Daytona 500 and mile-and-a-half tracks with Bill Elliott, the 1985 Cup champion. The mile-and-a-half tracks were picked because Ford's program is strongest there. "We could run up to 20 but we decided to do 12 and do it right," Wood said Saturday. "We're going back to doing it the way we did it years ago." The organization used to pick and choose races in the early years. It ran only 18 races in 1973, with David Pearson, who won 11 of them. Wood said the organization, which lost Air Force as a sponsor to Gillett Evernham Motorsports, had to let 22 employees go to reduce the team to about 40.(ESPN.com)(12-6-200

Note to Wood Brothers: It isn't 1973 and you're competing against the mega-teams. Plus, you don't have a David Pearson to drive for you. I wish you luck and hope you do well in your 12 races but I fear the handwriting is on the wall. There is no place in this new NA__AR for gentlemen, sportsmen and racers such as the Wood Brothers. It's truly racing's loss.

[LSC9901]

Sadly there isn't any place for a team to run just 12 races either. In '73 there was no live coverage on TV and none of the mega personality stuff with the media. If you can get a sponsor for 12 races you can bet they aren't in it for media exposure and isn't that what racing in NASCAR's top series is all about ?? Obviously it isn't so much about racing or winning anymore.

[Motorsports One]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

... to enter only the season-opening Daytona 500 and mile-and-a-half tracks with Bill Elliott, the 1985 Cup champion.

And the keyword in this deal is "champion". Hope Bill can make the field on time 6 times or more.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Motorsports One

And the keyword in this deal is "champion". Hope Bill can make the field on time 6 times or more.

Yeah, I know Martin. But, to rely on a Champions Provisional, based on a 24-year old championship...? That smacks of DW and that's just pitiful.

OTOH, he only used his "freebie" once last season. I hope he can match that this season IF he runs the #21 for The Wood Brothers.

[Racer Duck]

Million Dollar Bill said he was definitely retiring at the end of 2008 .. but might be persuaded to run a couple races if WB needed the help. methinks they have Bill on speed dial!

wonder what sad story they told him and why they don't trust Jon behind the wheel?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Million Dollar Bill said he was definitely retiring at the end of 2008 .. but might be persuaded to run a couple races if WB needed the help. methinks they have Bill on speed dial!

wonder what sad story they told him and why they don't trust Jon behind the wheel?

Jon continues to be an enigma with me. There is something there which isn't being said (and surely is none of our business). The car can run. Bill proved that. But there is something with Jon and the team that is slightly out of focus?

Personally, I'd love to see them give Bobby Hamilton Jr. a shot at the ride. I think he and the Wood Brothers think along the same lines and have similar values. And heaven knows the kid likes to race and wants to compete!

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Personally, I'd love to see them give Bobby Hamilton Jr. a shot at the ride. I think he and the Wood Brothers think along the same lines and have similar values. And heaven knows the kid likes to race and wants to compete!

That I think would be a great way for them to go. I think they would be good together.

[thunderfoot]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Jon continues to be an enigma with me. There is something there which isn't being said (and surely is none of our business). The car can run. Bill proved that. But there is something with Jon and the team that is slightly out of focus?

Personally, I'd love to see them give Bobby Hamilton Jr. a shot at the ride. I think he and the Wood Brothers think along the same lines and have similar values. And heaven knows the kid likes to race and wants to compete!

Now that I would pay to see. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$