Elliott out, Green in for Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford
The group originally had Bill Elliott on the entry list for Sunday’s Food City 500. As a past champion, he would be guaranteed a spot in the race if qualifying were rained out. But Wood made the switch to Green this week and now must race into the field based on qualifying speed since his group is outside the top 35 in 2006 owners points.
Green was ninth fastest in Friday's practice session.
“As we’ve done with Bill ever since we started this arrangement, I call him every week before finalizing our entry blank and ask him if he still wants to race for the coming week," team co-owner Eddie Wood said. “When I spoke to Bill on Monday, he showed an interest in swapping out Bristol for Martinsville, so that’s what we did. Jeff Green has a good record here, and we thought putting him in the car would give us our best shot at qualifying on speed.
“I think what he’s done in practice here today shows that we made a good decision. Unfortunately, when I saw the weather forecast, I figured this was going to happen. I guess the most appropriate thing to say right now is that when it rains, it pours. This sort of typifies the way our season has gone so far."