Jon Wood and Michael "Fatback" McSwain will play key roles for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing in the future. Credit: Autostock

Changes made as Wood prepares for Cup move

McSwain named crew chief of 21 Ford; Hyder to 47 Busch car

HARRISBURG, N.C. -- With sponsorship and driver lineup announcements for 2007 expected by Labor Day, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing made several personnel moves effective this weekend, when the Wood Brothers' No. 21 Ford races at Pocono and JTG Racing's No. 47 and No. 59 Fords race at Martinsville.

10 QUESTIONS •   Jon Wood

Michael "Fatback" McSwain assumes the crew chief's role for Ken Schrader's No. 21 Nextel Cup car. Schrader's former crew chief, David Hyder will take over as crew chief for Jon Wood's No. 47 Busch car, as Wood, a third generation racer who tested last week at Indianapolis, prepares for his anticipated entry into Cup next season.

Ernie Cope moves from crew chief for Stacy Compton's No. 59 Busch car to assist McSwain. Jay Guy, who was Wood's Busch crew chief, will serve in that capacity for Compton.

Team co-owner Eddie Wood, Jon Wood's father, explained the transition.

"Our goal is to improve our performance this year, while giving our drivers and crew chiefs an opportunity to work together in preparation for next year," Wood said. "We have made a lot of changes this season, including the merger with ST Motorsports' Busch Series teams and the expansion of a driver development program in the Truck Series.

"We have been playing catch-up and wanted to get a jump on next year to see how everyone progresses with these management moves."

McSwain is a veteran, race-winning crew chief who currently is the company's competition director.

"I'm excited to be heading back to the racetrack," McSwain said. "I've been pretty busy getting things well organized at the shop for our new, multi-car operation.

"My favorite part of being a competition director so far has been the opportunity to coach and mentor our company's future leaders. I look forward to being on the road to see how I can help our folks at the track."