Ricky Rudd News - NASCAR - Raceway Report

Rudd unsure of 2008 plans: Ricky Rudd, on whether he'll return next season for Robert Yates Racing: "I think until we see some good things happen on the racetrack because the team has gotten stronger, I don't think ... it's time to talk about next year." (News-Record)

Rudd to be inducted into Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame: #88-Ricky Rudd and Save Mart Supermarkets chairman and CEO Bob Piccinini will be honored during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend by being inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame. Rudd, considered one of the best road-course drivers in NASCAR history, is a two-time winner at Infineon Raceway and he has also sat on the pole four times. He won the inaugural race at then-Sears Point Raceway in 1989, edging Rusty Wallace by a scant .05 seconds, which is still a track record. Piccinini and Rudd will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame on Friday, June 22, at 10:30am/et. Race fans are invited to attend the ceremony, which will be held in the Wine Country Winner's Circle. Piccinini, whose Modesto-based grocery chain has been associated with Infineon Raceway since 1992, has played a critical role in the growth of the Nextel Cup Series, not only at Infineon Raceway, but throughout all of Northern California. For ticket information call 800-870-RACE.(Infineon Raceway PR)

Rudd and Gibbs? Joe Gibbs is possibly interested in expanding to a fourth Nextel Cup team - with Ricky Rudd, if Rudd is amenable. Rudd drove Dover for Gibbs last month while Tony Stewart was recuperating, and the Gibbs team was pleased with how easy Rudd was to work with, and with how competitive Rudd still is. (Salem-Journal)

Rudd unsure about full-time return: Shortly before stepping into a Nextel Cup car for the first time since last November, veteran driver Ricky Rudd says he won't decide until late this season whether he wants to return to the sport next year, although he appears to be leaning against it. Rudd, who is filling in for the injured Tony Stewart in practice and qualifying for the Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover International Speedway, told reporters today that he's in no hurry to make a decision. By the time he's ready to make that decision, possibly in September or October, Rudd says teams should have already locked up a driver and be getting prepared for 2007."Right now, if you ask me am I going to come back and run a 100 percent schedule or will I be back next year, I don't think so," Rudd said. "I'm enjoying retirement right now, I'm enjoying my time off. Seems like the more time I have off, the more I'm enjoying it." (More at NASCAR Scene Daily)

T. Stewart will race Sunday at Dover, Rudd to fill in if needed: Tony Stewart will not require surgery for the fractured right scapula he sustained in an accident during Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. Stewart's #20 Chevy suffered a right front tire failure on lap 33 of the 400-lap race, sending the #20 machine into the SAFER barrier on the outside retaining wall of turn one. Stewart was running in the 25th position when the accident happened. "Tony sustained a non-displaced fracture at the tip of his right scapula," said Dr. Jerry Petty, a neurosurgeon who has consulted with many NASCAR drivers. "It is a non-surgical injury that only time and rest can heal." While Stewart's fractured right scapula won't require surgery, it will limit his participation in this weekend's Nextel Cup event at Dover. Veteran NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd has been secured by Joe Gibbs Racing to serve as the relief driver for the #20 team this weekend at Dover. Rudd, a winner of 23 Nextel Cup races - four of which came at Dover - will practice and qualify the #20 Chevrolet while Stewart will start the 400-lap race. Rudd will be on standby in the pit area to relieve Stewart at any point during the event. By starting at Dover, Stewart will receive all points toward the Nextel Cup driver's championship. (JGR/True Speed Communication)

Ricky Rudd and Toyota? Rudd confirmed Wednesday that Toyota is courting him. He's honored, but to date has politely declined. This retirement thing ain't so bad. "I've had a few conversations with different folks, and that's one group," Rudd said. "It's a two-way conversation. I'm not ready to come back right now, but there has been conversation. They've got to move on with their program, and their timeline and mine are not the same. I wanted to take a year off." That's not to say he's ruled it out completely, however. Rudd has pinpointed a September commitment time regarding his racing future. Might he come back? "I enjoy race day a lot, but not the grind of the schedule," Rudd said. "I'm liable to get bored and restless, though, but haven't yet." (NASCAR.com's Marty Smith)

Rudd Honored Virginia Press Association: Ricky Rudd, who retired from NASCAR racing in November after 31 years and a record 788 consecutive starts in stock car racing's premier series, was honored Friday as the Virginian of the Year by the Virginia Press Association. Rudd, a Chesapeake native, received the award during The Associated Press dinner at the VPA/AP Winter Conference, held this year at the Hotel Roanoke. Rudd, who lives near Charlotte, N.C., made his NASCAR debut in 1975 and completed his first full season two years later, winning NASCAR's 1977 rookie of the year. "I didn't have a clue what I was getting into," he said, recalling how he didn't know what the color-coded flags used to give driver's in-race intruction meant. (Daily Press)

Rudd: Taking Break from Racing: NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Ricky Rudd released a statement saying he will "take a break" from racing following the conclusion of the 2005 season and his contract with Wood Brothers Racing. Rudd had said he would drive Penske Racing South's No. 2 Dodge for 2006 if Kurt Busch, who had signed a contract to drive the car in 2007, was not released early from his current contract with Roush Racing. Penske and Busch announced Monday that Busch would join the team in 2006, which Rudd said prompted his announcement. "I am happy that I was able to provide [Penske Racing South] with a good alternative in case Kurt was not able to drive the No. 2 car next year, but quite frankly -- for me and my family -- the way it has turned out is a much better result," Rudd said. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

3 way deal puts Rudd in 42? Instead of retiring at the end of this year, Rudd could leave the No. 21 car to drive the No. 42 car for Chip Ganassi next season. Jamie McMurray would be released from the final year of his contract with Ganassi so that he can drive the No. 97 Ford for Roush Racing, thus freeing up Kurt Busch to get out of his contract with Roush one year early to replace Rusty Wallace in the No. 2 Dodge next season. Sources indicate that Ganassi could also receive payment from the Roush camp, which in turn likely would receive funds from Penske Racing South and primary sponsor Miller Lite for Busch's early release to replace Wallace. Consider who the sponsor of the No. 42 car is: Texaco Havoline, the same colors Rudd flew for three seasons (2000-2002) during his term with Robert Yates Racing. From what I've heard, Texaco Havoline is not pleased with having McMurray as a moody, unhappy lame-duck driver in '06 and has been applying pressure to Ganassi to let McMurray go. Texaco Havoline would then build a significant one-year farewell tour marketing campaign around Rudd. (More at Yahoo! Sports)

Rudd quiet about plans: After a solid qualifying lap put him on the outside of the front row for Sunday's Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Ricky Rudd knew the questions about his future were coming. He was ready. "Let's talk about Martinsville. I know what's happening at Martinsville," Rudd said Friday with a laugh. "No disrespect to everybody. It's just not time to announce anything yet." Rudd, in his third season driving for Wood Brothers Racing and in his 31st season in Nextel Cup racing, said he realizes his fans want to know his plans. "We're very aware of the support we have from them and the last thing we want to do is make it appear like we're snubbing them or dusting them off," he said. "It's not intended that way. When everything comes out and all the hands get played, I think everyone will see there were reasons why things needed to be kept under wraps. The time has not come to divulge that. I wish I could." (USA Today)

Rudd undecided on future: Ricky Rudd still hasn't decided what he wants to do next year, and the Wood brothers are getting restless in getting an answer. If Rudd returns for another season, the Wood brothers would likely put Jon Wood, the third generation, in a Cup car for seven races to get his feet wet for a full Cup campaign in 2007. If Rudd doesn't come back, Jon Wood would get the ride full-time next season. (Salem-Journal)

21 Wood Brothers close to 3rd sponsorship: The Wood Brothers, #21 Ford with Ricky Rudd as the driver, are close to securing a final sponsor for next year. Motorcraft will return as a primary sponsor for a selected number of races, and the Air Force is expected to return as well. A third primary sponsor still is being sought. (Roanoke Times)

Rudd to race today: Jon Wood, the son of Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood, qualified 39th while filling in for Ricky Rudd, whose father died Tuesday. Rudd was expected to arrive in California later Saturday and will race today, starting from the rear of the 43-car field because of the driver change. (News Observer)

Wood to qualify #21: Jon Wood has always dreamed of driving the No. 21 Wood Brothers' Ford, but not under these conditions. With last Tuesday's passing of Ricky Rudd's father, Al, Wood is standing by to practice and perhaps qualify the No. 21 Ford at California Speedway this weekend if Rudd is delayed. "It's been my ultimate goal to drive the 21 and I think my family feels the same," says Wood, 23, who currently drives the No. 47 ST Motorsports Ford in the Busch Series. "But I would prefer every other circumstance and situation that I can think of for that to happen under other than the way it's happening now. "I don't look at it as an opportunity, I look at it as a substitution. It's very unfortunate to have a death in anyone's family and for it to be the driver is a bad thing altogether. It's an honor that my family would ask me to do this, but it doesn't feel great at all." (SportingNews)

Ricky Rudd's father passes away: Al Rudd Sr., father of Wood Brothers Racing driver Ricky Rudd, passed away late Tuesday following a lengthy illness, the team confirmed. Al Rudd, a former racer, was instrumental in Ricky's career, fielding early entries in NASCAR competition with a family-sponsored team under the Al Rudd Auto Parts banner. Al Rudd also supported Ricky's kart and enduro racing. There will be a private funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. (Motorcraft Racing PR/Campbell & Co.)

ST Motorsports and Wood Brothers Partnership, 2nd car: Wood Brothers Racing, one of the last holdouts among single-car teams in the Nextel Cup Series, will eventually start a second program, the team said on Friday at Michigan. Wood Brothers will merge with ST Motorsports' two-car Busch Series program to eventually include two-car teams in the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck levels. The entire undertaking came under the direction of Ford Racing, which provides factory support to both ST Motorsports and the Wood Brothers. It is not yet known when the two-car Nextel Cup team will take effect because the team is looking for a sponsor for the program. That fact alone puts a 2006 start unlikely. The Wood Brothers' first priority is to find additional funding for their No. 21 Ford in 2006. Team owner Eddie Wood says he hasn't had a chance to talk with driver Ricky Rudd about his status for 2006. "We have a little bit of work to do for the 21.The 21 needs to be fully-funded," said Greg Specht, performance operations manager for Ford. "That is a partial season deal and we have had to put together additional dollars." (NASCAR.com)

Wood Brothers looking to expand: Eddie Wood, co-owner of the Wood Brothers team, says that the team is looking to expand to a two-car team. "We're exploring that right now, but I don't see it happening for '06,'' Wood said in a statement from the team. "We're more concerned for the 21 car for '06 right now. But maybe by '07 we'll have a couple. I wouldn't want more than two. Two, I think, is enough to do what you want to do as far as having somebody to compare off of. When it gets down to it, each car goes to the race track, teammates or not. You hear a lot about teammates working together and you hear a lot about teammates not working together. It's all through the garage -- both sides of it. But, we would be looking in the next couple of years doing that.'' The Wood Brothers have primarily been a single-car team for more than 30 years. Ricky Rudd is the team's current driver. Rudd's three-year contract expires after this season and he's said he planned to decide if he wants to continue racing by late summer. (Roanoke Times)

NASCAR Star shows some chivalry in test drive: An administrative assistant at the Ford product development center in Dearborn was recently pressed into action as a car valet. After parking a Corvette that Ford engineers were driving for comparison purposes, she was told the low-slung two-seater was in the wrong spot and had to be moved again. Because her skirt made for awkward entries and exits, she asked for a volunteer from a small delegation of visitors who had gathered near the front door. One of them responded graciously, parked the 'Vette and returned the keys a few moments later. His name: Ricky Rudd. The NASCAR star was visiting Ford for a test drive. (Detroit News)

McSwain wins WYPALL Crew Chief Award: Ricky Rudd was flying this weekend at Infineon Raceway. In his #21 Air Force Taurus, Rudd drove all the way from his twentieth place starting spot into the top-five. Rudd's biggest move of the race came with thirty-nine laps left in the event, when crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain made the gutsy call for his driver not to follow the leaders' pit strategy and had him remain on the track. Despite being close on fuel, Rudd never sputtered and hung on for a second-place finish. McSwain not only picked up his best finish of the season, but was awarded the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Rudd was riding in twenty-fourth place when the caution waved on lap sixty-nine. Even though the leaders all came into the pits for four tires and fuel, Rudd stayed out and took over the fourth position. He took advantage of his newfound track position and muscled his way into the lead. With questionable fuel remaining and a set of worn out Goodyears, Rudd held off a hard charging Tony Stewart for several laps, before eventually succumbing to the #20 machine. This was #21 team's best finish of the 2005 season. The panel of voters; including the San Jose Mercury News, a Wypall Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser; all cast their vote for McSwain as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Doug Richert leads the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings with five wins. Alan Gustafson and Robbie Loomis are tied for second place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Bob Osborne, Fatback McSwain and Pete Rondeau are in a tie for third place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com. (SMC 500 PR)

Rudd to Know by Summer on Retirement: He (Ricky Rudd) says he'll decide sometime this summer if he'll join Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin in making this his final Cup season. Both, who announced their retirements last year, are having solid farewells. Martin is sixth in the points and Wallace 14th but only 42 points behind Martin. When Rudd decides to retire, he says he won't follow the paths other veterans have taken. He doesn't want to do a full-season farewell tour just to sell special souvenir items as many have done. (Roanoke)

McSwain Back at Track: Michael McSwain, returning to action this week as Ricky Rudd’s crew chief, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he’s fed up with all the quibbling that he’s been hearing about recent NASCAR penalties. “That’s baloney, man,” said McSwain. “That’s what’s wrong with America now. “Every time somebody screws up, we tell them it’s all right. You don’t pay your bills? You can file bankruptcy. You kill somebody? Spend 10 years in jail, and we’ll let you out. That’s what’s wrong with society now, man. If you do the crime, do the time. If you had the guts to do it, have the guts to take your punishment.” (Shelby Star)

Fatback Calling the Race from Home Again: Crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain will call the shots on Ricky Rudd's No. 21 Ford from his Mooresville, N.C., home for the second consecutive race. McSwain still is recovering from back surgery two weeks ago and might not be ready for next week's event at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He will monitor Sunday's race at Las Vegas and communicate in real time through telecommunications technology provided by Nextel, Racing Radios and NASCAR.com.(Times Dispatch)

Rent-A-Center Returns To Ricky Rudd And Wood Brothers: Rent-A-Center is returning as an associate sponsor of the #21 Wood Brothers Team in 2005. Furthermore, the #21 Ford Taurus will carry a Rent-A-Center paint scheme for the April 17th race at Texas Motor Speedway and the June 19th race at Michigan International Speedway. "The entire Rent-A-Center organization is excited to be backing Ricky Rudd and the Wood Brothers Team," said Ann Davids, Rent-A-Center Vice President of Advertising. "We've enjoyed a great relationship with the team and their fans over the years. We've got some exciting initiatives planned for the 2005 season, and we're looking forward to bringing the sport of racing even closer to our customers." A promotion is currently in the works that could award up to 40,000 Rent-A-Center prizes to customers who rent from Rent-A-Center between April 11th and May 14th. Prizes will be awarded based on Ricky Rudd's finish in the June 19th race at Michigan International Speedway. Everyone who signs an agreement during this time frame will receive a scratch-off card good for up to $50 off their agreement while supplies last. "Rent-A-Center has been a great partner of ours since 2003. We're thrilled to have them back on board," said Ricky Rudd. "I've had the opportunity to meet many of their employees as well as their customers and they're great race fans. We couldn't ask for better partners." Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas, currently operates 2,871 company-owned stores nationwide and in Canada and Puerto Rico. (Motorcraft Racing PR / Campbell & Co.)

Fatback Calling the Shots from Home: Ricky Rudd's crew chief underwent surgery Friday in Charlotte, N.C., to repair a disc in his lower back. But McSwain and the Wood Brothers team, determined the procedure not disrupt their routine in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, have arranged to use cell phones and two-way radios to keep McSwain on the job. "What we're trying to do now is have it where he'll actually be able to call the race from his home in North Carolina," explained Eddie Wood, the team's co-owner. McSwain, who was on the phone with Wood and members of his No. 21 Ford crew less than four hours after the surgery, also will be able to keep on eye on real-time timing and scoring by computer as well as watching the action live on Fox from his living room. The crew chief initially underwent surgery on the same disc late last year, but it didn't fix the problem. (USA Today)

Wood Brothers Honors Fallen Hero: The Wood Brothers are honoring a fallen Marine from their hometown of Stuart, Va., with a decal on the No. 21 Ford. The decal on Ricky Rudd's car honors U.S. Marine Corporal Jonathan W. Bowling, who was killed in Iraq in January. ``Jonathan and his sisters went to school with our kids,'' Eddie Wood said. ``We've known the family forever. We were out West testing when they had the funeral so we couldn't go. ``Their whole family has always been very supportive of us, and we wanted to do something to honor Jonathan, so we had the decal made up for Speedweeks.'' Bowling, 23, was killed when insurgents ambushed a Marine convoy. He joined the Martinsville (Va.) Police Department in 2002, hoping to gain the experience to fulfill his dream of becoming a Virginia state trooper like his father. He was also a volunteer firefighter and an elder at his church. (Yahoo!)

Mears and Rudd Get Together: Rudd and Casey Mears made contact during last night's final Shootout practice. Mears' Dodge spun without incident, and both cars avoided significant damage. Mears visited Rudd's garage stall to apologize and drew angry words from Michael McSwain, Rudd's burly crew chief. "I thought I was clear, and I wasn't," Mears said. "It was my fault. Ricky was cool, but [McSwain] needs to calm down a little bit. Stuff happens." Rudd said a minor wrinkle to his "super sensitive" right-front fender could affect his Ford's handling tonight but accepted Mears' apology. (TimesDispatch)

Air Force Back With Wood Brothers: The Air Force begins its fifth year as a NASCAR sponsor when the 2005 Nextel Cup season kicks off with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. After recruiting one of the most accomplished crew chiefs in the sport and making numerous off-season changes, the Air Force-sponsored Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 NASCAR team is focused on success, officials said. The driver of the car No. 21 is Ricky Rudd. (Air Force Link)

Jarrett Two Years, Rudd Maybe Last: Dale Jarrett said he has at least two more years left in him. Ricky Rudd knows he might have only one left. Since Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin and Terry Labonte announced retirement plans last year, fellow 40-somethings Jarrett, Rudd and Kyle Petty have become the next logical focus of speculation. Jarrett, 48, has two years left on his contract with Robert Yates Racing and said because he started his Nextel Cup career later than his contemporaries - at age 27 - he can go longer. "It'll be a minimum of two, but probably three (years)," said Jarrett, who won the championship in 1999 and finished 15th last season. (SPTime)

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