Through all the changes, Elliott still a racer at heart (cont'd)

While Elliott has been in "semiretirement" for more than half a decade, he isn't ready to completely walk away from the life that has afforded him 44 wins -- including two Daytona 500 trophies -- and more than $44 million in earnings.

Asserting that he hasn't "thought retirement yet," Elliott wants to make the most of his time with the Wood Brothers despite being handicapped by a dearth of funding. Plans call for Elliott to attempt 12 points races for the second consecutive year.

Elliott joined the Wood Brothers to drive the in the iconic No. 21 Ford in 2007 with a 20-race slate.

"They're just such a good group of guys and so much fun to drive for," Elliott said. "When you walk in the shop or walk in the track and the race track, everybody's smiling and having a good time."

Elliott pieced together a solid 2009, considering his team's limited budget and frequent issues on pit road. He posted five finishes inside the top 20 and qualified in the top 10 five times

Those aren't the kind of numbers enjoyed last season by Mark Martin, who at age 50 came out of semiretirement to win five races and finish runner-up in the standings for Hendrick Motorsports. But Elliott also doesn't mind pushing the limits.

Perhaps that's why he just grins when discussing his dirt-biking escapades.

"I fall off of them every now and then, break some ribs every now and then," he said, laughing.

Elliott is no less eager to strap in his Cup ride on Sundays.

"He's still a racer," team co-owner Len Wood said, noting how Elliott often scorned his crew last season after slow pit stops. "He likes doing this. And he's not ready to quit yet."

The Wood Brothers hope to return to full-time competition as early as 2011, sponsorship permitting. Elliott could be along for the ride.

"I think it would help me and I think it would them, but to do it for the next five years, I don't think that's in the cards," he said. "But to do it for a year or two might work."

Elliott still imagines how it would feel to win again, too.

"I'd probably do cartwheels like the commercial with Mark Martin trying to do what Carl Edwards does," he said, referring to Edwards' trademark victory back flip. "That'd be something to see, I'm sure."