BY TEAM FORD RACING CORRESPONDENT

Concord, N.C. — Wood Brothers Racing, a Ford nameplate for 60 years, will race part-time in Sprint Cup racing again in 2010 with an eye on returning to the full-time schedule soon, perhaps in 2011.

Former Cup champion Bill Elliott again will drive the Woods’ familiar No. 21, one of the most famous numbers in motorsports, in the 13 races the team plans to enter this season. Team co-owner Eddie Wood said additional races possibly will be added to the schedule if sponsor funding can be found.

Motorcraft, Ford’s customer service division, again will sponsor the team. A new co-sponsor is Ford’s Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centers. Announcements were made during a Tuesday stop of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour near Charlotte, N.C.

“There’s no reason we can’t be on the front row when we get to Daytona [for the 500 next month],” said Elliott, one of the best drivers in NASCAR superspeedway history. “We always have good cars there, and we’re focused only on that race going to Daytona. I expect good things.”

Although Wood said he wants to return to full-schedule racing, he said his team picks up benefits from its abbreviated schedule.

“You have more time,” Wood said. “The group of people we have together is a very close-knit group. And it’s small. And small is OK. It works for us. We have a lot of time to do things. If we want to do a test or have an idea, we have time to go do it. The bigger teams don’t.

“We do want to get back full-time, but we won’t do it until we can do it correctly. You won’t ever see us be a start-and-park car.”

Elliott has raced with the Woods since 2007.

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD
Front Row Motorsports completed its three-car Sprint Cup operation with the Tuesday confirmation that the Statesville, N.C.-based team’s third car will be driven by David Gilliland and Robert Richardson Jr. Richardson is expected to drive the car in the season’s two races at Daytona International Speedway and in the April race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Gilliland, perhaps best remembered as the upset winner of a 2006 Nationwide race at Kentucky Speedway, brings four years of Cup experience to Front Row.

Travis Kvapil and Kevin Conway will drive the team’s other Fords. Conway will be a candidate – and perhaps the favorite – for Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year.

“We’re excited about everything we have lined up for 2010, and we’re ready to get to Daytona and get everything started,” said team general manager Jerry Freeze.

Kvapil, returning to the Cup series, said he is looking forward to technical and other support from Ford and in helping to build Front Row.

“I feel like I’ve proved myself in the Truck series,” he said. “My experience in the Cup cars before, I feel like I’ve established myself as a good, clean racer and somebody who takes care of his equipment. This opportunity will definitely be a building process, but I feel like I’m part of something that’s growing and headed in the right direction.

“I know it’s going to be a challenge and struggle, but we have the tools to get it done.”