While Dale Earnhardt Jr was docked 100 Nextel Cup points, the Wood Brothers are hoping to gain some points with Bill Elliott behind the wheel.
Dale Earnhardt Jr was penalized 100 NASCAR Nextel Cup championship points, and Teresa Earnhardt was penalized 100 NASCAR Nextel Cup owner's points after NASCAR officials discovered that the was improperly mounted and the brackets were confiscated.
Earnhardt Jr's crew chief Tony Eury Jr was suspended six races and fined a whopping $100,000. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will appeal the penalty.
Was the penalty too harsh? Yes, but NASCAR sure did send a stern message to the rest of the garage.
The Wood Brothers are currently 39th in the NASCAR Nextel Cup owner's standings, 163 points out of the top 35, which is the reason for hiring 1988 Champion Bill Elliott to a race-to-race deal starting with the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway next weekend. With Dale Jarrett out of Champions provisionals, Elliott would likely be given that starting position if need be. Elliott, however, is one of the better qualifiers and should have no problem getting that 21 into the field.
Ken Schrader and Jon Wood will step aside from their driving duties until further notice.
Bill Elliott quotes:
"I was pretty honored to get a call from the Wood Brothers to drive the 21 car. I've seen them struggle the last few weeks, being outside the top 35, and it breaks my heart to see them miss races. I hope I can get in the car, get us qualified well every week and see what we can make up in the points battle along the way."
