Sam’s Town 300 - Jon Wood Notes

JON WOOD HOPES TO CONTINUE HIS ROLL IN LAS VEGAS

Jon Wood will come to Las Vegas on a roll.

The 25-year-old driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion is ninth in the current NASCAR Busch Series standings, marking the best start of his three-year career. He’s also preparing to make his Nextel Cup Series debut in another Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford, following in the footsteps of his famous grandfather, Glen Wood.

Las Vegas’ new layout is the kind of racetrack young Wood likes most. The newly-designed 20-degree banking should allow for more side-by-side racing. The acceleration point in the corners is the key to a fast lap, Wood said, especially with speeds topping the 180-mph barrier.

Wood posted a 10th-place finish a week ago on the road course at Mexico City – his career-best finish on a road course. Now he’s headed to one of his favorite tracks with a lot of momentum. And when it comes to Las Vegas, it never hurts to be on a roll.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Jon Wood, driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“This is a busy week for our Clorox Ford team, especially with me making my Cup debut,” he said. “There’s been a lot of attention paid to that, but Saturday’s Busch Series race is every bit as important. Our focus in the Busch Series has been to win a race and finish in the Top 10 in the points, and our part-time schedule in the Nextel Cup Series hasn’t changed that at all.

“I love racetracks like Las Vegas. The key is to be accelerating in the middle of the corners, not hitting the brakes. You want as much momentum coming off the corners as possible. That’s what sets up your run down the straightaways.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“It’s amazing how much this team progresses every week. We can excel at a kind of racetrack like Las Vegas because we know we’re going to get plenty of power from Robert Yates Racing, and we’ve learned so much about these Ford Fusions in the last couple months. Jon is taking a greater role in the car’s success, and that’s been a huge step. His knowledge of the car and what makes it go fast is incredible. It’s important to tap into that knowledge.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Jon Wood is ninth in the NASCAR Busch Series standings.
-Wood has 75 career starts in the Busch Series with 12 Top 10s.
-Wood also will be making his NASCAR Nextel Cup Series debut during Sunday’s UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.
-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 – Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, March 10, 3 p.m. ET
Where – Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Network – ESPN2