Ken Schrader Will Drive No. 21 Car In 2006
Ken Schrader
Veteran Ken Schrader will move to the Wood Brothers' No. 21 Ford next season, replacing veteran Ricky Rudd, several sources confirmed Friday. Rudd's future remains unclear. He could retire from the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, or perhaps still drive on a one-year basis as a fill-in should the Jamie McMurray/Kurt Busch swap not work out, sources said. Schrader, who has driven the No. 49 Dodge for BAM Racing the past two seasons, is expected to drive the No. 21 for one season, then turn the car over to Jon Wood, son of Wood Brothers co-owner Eddie Wood. Jon Wood drives the No. 47 Ford in the Busch Series for ST Motorsports and will compete with the team again in 2006. He is also expected to drive at least seven Cup races for the Wood Brothers next season, and could forgo his rookie 2007 status and attempt more, should sponsorship permit, sources said. In 22 seasons, Schrader has four wins, 64 top-five and 182 top-10 finishes.(Mercury News)
AND FROM JOURNAL NOW.... Ken Schrader will be driving for the Wood brothers next season, replacing Ricky Rudd, sources close to the negotiations have confirmed. Neither the Wood brothers nor Schrader would discuss the situation. "It depends on what Ricky does," Schrader said. "We're waiting for Kenny or the Woods to make a comment, and then we'll comment," Tony Morgenthau, Schrader's current car owner, said. Rudd could now be key to the Chip Ganassi-Jack Roush-Roger Penske deadlock over drivers, if Rudd were willing to move to Ganassi's Texaco-sponsored team. Ganassi tried to hire Rudd a few years ago. Rudd spent several years as a Texaco-sponsored driver for Robert Yates. The future of Rudd's crew chief, Michael "Fatback" McSwain is up in the air too. McSwain said yesterday he doesn't know if he'll be back with the Wood brothers next season.(Journal Now)
