Stater Bros. 300 - Jon Wood Notes

Jon Wood
No. 47 Clorox Ford
California 1 Advance

JON WOOD ALREADY AT FULL SPEED FOR CALIFORNIA RACE

The two-month off-season was a chance for everyone at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing to rest for the upcoming season. But according to Jon Wood, nothing can prepare a team for the first four races.

The season-opening race at Daytona is done – a race that includes a month of preparation. Up next is a trip to the California Speedway for Saturday’s Stater Bros. 300.

Wood said the first four races puts a strain on every team, but he’s ready for the challenge.

The California Speedway is one of the fastest tracks in the Busch Series. The key to success there, Wood said, is gaining track position during qualifying – and keeping it during the race. The team will bring a new car that got some track time during a recent test session at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

After Saturday’s race, all that’s remaining of the demanding start to the year are races at Mexico City and Las Vegas.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Jon Wood, driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“We got a decent finish out of Daytona considering our troubles early in the race. The season really starts at California since that kind of racetrack makes up a big portion of our schedule. Nothing carries over from Daytona to California, so the team that’s done the best job preparing for races after Daytona will have an advantage.

“We learned a lot last year and we’ve made significant improvements to our team in the off-season. I’m excited about doing some racing without restrictor plates. I just wish we didn’t have to spend the first month of the season on the road.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“We cut the bodies off every car in the shop during the off-season and we built some new cars. This is the kind of racetrack we can really get after. Jon’s really comfortable on the fast tracks, and California is a fast track. The new car encompasses everything we learned about the cars from last year, so we’re all very interested to see the improvements.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Jon Wood is 15th in the NASCAR Busch Series standings.
-Wood will be driving Chassis 27 in Saturday’s Orbitz 300. It’s a new car that’s been tested at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Chassis 29 will serve as the backup.
-Wood has 73 career starts in the Busch Series with 11 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 – Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where – California Speedway
Network – ESPN2; MRN Radio Network