Road-course races make up a relatively small part of the Monster Energy Cup Series schedule, but when Paul Menard and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team take the green flag for the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway it will be the team’s 100th Cup start on a road course.
The Wood Brothers have accumulated eight wins, eight poles, 30 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes in their first 99 road-course starts.
The majority of their success came on the old Riverside International Raceway course in California. In 43 starts there, they had seven wins, four with Dan Gurney and three with David Pearson. Their eighth win came at Watkins Glen with Marvin Panch driving.
Eddie Wood said Riverside, which hosted its last Cup race in 1988, was a special place.
“It’s where I went to my first road course, and our family ran really well there long before I went for the first time,” he said. “That track had a lot of history. They ran Indy cars and sports cars there. It was a special place to a lot of people, not just us.”
Wood said he’s looking forward to building more road-course memories at the Roval at Charlotte, now in its second season.
“We had a good run going last year until everybody piled into each other there at the end,” he said. “It’s a unique course, but it’s challenges are similar to other road courses.
“It’ll be a race of strategy. It’ll be important to stay on the track, and we’ll have to adapt to the handling package that is new this year.”
Qualifying for the Bank of America Roval 400 is set for Friday at 4:40 p.m., and the race is scheduled to start just after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday with TV coverage on NBC.
About Motorcraft
Motorcraft® offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under-hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers are backed by Ford Motor Company’s two-year, unlimited-miles Service Parts Limited Warranty. Ask for Motorcraft by name when you visit your local auto parts store or your favorite service facility. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers
Ford’s Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes, light repair services including brake repair, and tire replacements on all vehicle makes and models. With more than 800 locations and growing, customers can visit www.quicklane.com to find a center that is closest to them, print savings coupons and review maintenance tips to keep their vehicles running at peak efficiency. This site includes information on how to spot tire wear, how to jump-start a battery and even a series of tips to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Paul Menard in the famous No. 21 racer.
