Nicorette 300 - Jon Wood Notes

JON WOOD EAGER TO PROVE METTLE AGAINST CUP STARS

Jon Wood loves a challenge. That’s why Saturday’s Nicorette 300 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway is so important to him.

With 25 fulltime NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers on an entry list of 45, Wood understands the difficult challenge for his No. 47 Armor All Ford Fusion team. But it’s the type of challenge he loves.

His Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team is ranked sixth in the current Busch Series standings, and the goal is to continue that momentum in Saturday’s race. To do it against the experienced drivers from the Nextel Cup division not only helps the 25 year-old driver learn, it gives him a greater sense of accomplishment.

With as many as three legitimate racing grooves, the team will focus on its raceday setup during practice. Wood started 33rd at Atlanta last year and raced his way to a 13th-place finish, so the team knows it’s more important to be prepared for the 300-mile marathon, not the two-lap sprint of pole qualifying.

It’s a lesson learned by watching the more-experienced Nextel Cup drivers.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Jon Wood, driver of the No. 47 Armor All Ford Fusion:
“There’s been a lot said about the number of Cup drivers racing in the Busch Series. To me, it’s a way to learn. If you can run with the best and beat them, it makes you and your entire race team better. If you approach it as a challenge the way our Armor All team does, I believe you benefit from the experience.

“We’ve learned some valuable lessons at Atlanta in the past. First, qualifying is important, but it has little affect on what happens in the race. You have to work on your car during practice so you can make easy adjustments on it during the race. We qualified fourth there in 2005, but we finished 25th because we were too locked into a qualifying setup. Last year we qualified 33rd and raced our way up to a 13th-place finish. We want to improve on that 33rd starting position, of course, as well as that 13th place finish. And to do it against a field of 25 Cup drivers would give us a lot of confidence.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Armor All Ford Fusion:
“There’s no secret Atlanta puts a strain on the car. It’s rough on the motor, it’s rough on the rear end gears and it’s rough on equipment. There are three workable racing grooves there, and it’s our job to make sure the car is comfortable in all three grooves. If we can make it work on the top and the bottom, Jon should be able to work his way to the front.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Jon Wood is sixth in the NASCAR Busch Series standings.
-Wood has 76 career starts in the Busch Series with 12 Top 10s.
-Wood is the grandson of legendary driver Glen Wood and the son of Wood Brothers/JTG racing co-owner of Eddie Wood.

RACE INFORMATION:
What – Nicorette 300 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, March 17, 3 p.m. ET
Where – Atlanta Motor Speedway
Network – ABC