Air Force NASCAR team revs up for 2005

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Charles Ramey
  • Air Warfare Center Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) --  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.

“Right now, we have the best team we’ve had in years,” said Eddie Wood, who co-owns and manages the oldest continuously operating team in NASCAR along with his brother, Len Wood, and sister, Kim Hall. “We made some engineering changes and a crew chief change with about 12 races to go in the 2004 season. I think without the (points rule change) we probably would have finished eighth or ninth in the points, which is pretty remarkable from where we started.”

Leading the charge from the pits is Michael McSwain, who previously served as crew chief for Mr. Rudd with Robert Yates Racing. Together the duo racked up three wins and started races in the pole position four times.

“Obviously we want to be consistent week in and week out, but we also want to do all we can to give Ricky a shot at a championship,” Mr. McSwain said. “Like Air Force pilots and crew chiefs, Ricky and I have a tremendous amount of trust in each other. Because we’re chasing the same goals, we have to communicate and rely on each other to accomplish the job. We’re able to do so and that’s what makes our jobs easier.”

“(Mr. McSwain) is a guy who gets results,” Mr. Rudd said. “I have a tremendous amount of confidence in him because ... he’s a leader who always gives 120 percent and stays on the cutting edge. He’s a perfectionist and surrounds himself with people who don’t settle for anything less. By having him in our corner, you have strength, and a team that gets results.”

Even though he is entrusted with the success of a multimillion-dollar racing team, Mr. McSwain said his job of representing the Air Force one of the highest honors of his career.

“My grandfather is a World War II Army veteran,” Mr. McSwain said. “He had a lot of pride in many things, but he probably had more pride in being a veteran than anything he ever did. I’ve never been in the military, but I appreciate the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. My team members and I feel if Airmen can put their lives on the line, we need to do our part by going out each week and doing a good job of representing them on the track.”

Mr. Rudd is entering his third season as the team’s driver.

“I’m very proud to carry the Air Force colors, and hopefully we can do a better job this year,” he said. “The biggest goal is to make the top 10 cut and have a chance to win the championship. To get in the top 10, we need to be more consistent. We’ll concentrate on getting more top 10 and top five finishes and obviously never rule out a win.”

The team has been busy preparing for the new NASCAR season by testing their cars in Las Vegas and Fontana, Calif.