HJ969: Celebrating the life of Glen Wood.
WHEREAS, Glen Wood, a native of Stuart, an auto racing legend, and a beloved member of the Patrick County community, died on January 18, 2019; and
WHEREAS, known as the “Woodchopper” on the racing circuit, Glen Wood won four races in NASCAR’s premier series over an 11-year racing career and an additional 93 victories in modified, convertibles, and sportsman divisions, and in 1998, was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR); and
WHEREAS, in 1950, Glen Wood and his family formed the Wood Brothers Racing Team, and during its early years, the team evolved from a weekend hobby into a full-time business; and
WHEREAS, along with his youngest brother, Leonard, who was with the team from its inception, Glen Wood worked full-time building and preparing the cars while his other brothers and family members served as part of the pit crew on race weekends; and
WHEREAS, after the 1964 season, Glen Wood gave up his driving duties and became a full-time owner of Wood Brothers Racing, which fielded a long list of talented drivers including NASCAR’s David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Dale Jarrett, and Bill Elliott; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that by limiting their time off the track they could increase their position on the track, Wood Brothers Racing created and perfected the modern pit stop; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s, the Wood Brothers’ notorious No. 21 car with the gold-colored decals proved to be a formidable challenge on the NASCAR circuit; with legendary driver David Pearson at the wheel, Wood Brothers Racing won the coveted “Triple-Crown” of NASCAR racing by winning the legendary Daytona 500, the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Wood Brothers Racing has fielded only Ford Motor Company products since 1950, making their relationship with Ford the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood was recognized for his outstanding career as a driver and team owner with his election and induction as a member of the third class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood joined fellow inductees Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Inman, and the widow of Richie Evans at the Charlotte Convention Center on January 20, 2012, for the induction ceremony; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood was inducted by his brother, Leonard, before an audience that included NASCAR dignitaries, drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, and family members and friends from Patrick County; and
WHEREAS, the Wood Brothers Racing Team holds the unique distinction as the oldest continuously operating team in NASCAR’s top series, and guided by Glen Wood, along with his brother, Leonard, the team has had 119 poles and 99 victories in more than 1,500 starts; and
WHEREAS, the Wood Brothers Racing Team has earned over $30 million in career winnings, and remains among the winningest racing teams in the history of NASCAR racing over the past 68 years; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Bernece; his children, Eddie, Len, and Kim, and their families; his siblings, Ray, Delano, Leonard, and Crystal; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow members and fans of NASCAR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Glen Wood, a NASCAR legend; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Glen Wood as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 969
WHEREAS, Glen Wood, a native of Stuart, an auto racing legend, and a beloved member of the Patrick County community, died on January 18, 2019; and
WHEREAS, known as the “Woodchopper” on the racing circuit, Glen Wood won four races in NASCAR’s premier series over an 11-year racing career and an additional 93 victories in modified, convertibles, and sportsman divisions, and in 1998, was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR); and
WHEREAS, in 1950, Glen Wood and his family formed the Wood Brothers Racing Team, and during its early years, the team evolved from a weekend hobby into a full-time business; and
WHEREAS, along with his youngest brother, Leonard, who was with the team from its inception, Glen Wood worked full-time building and preparing the cars while his other brothers and family members served as part of the pit crew on race weekends; and
WHEREAS, after the 1964 season, Glen Wood gave up his driving duties and became a full-time owner of Wood Brothers Racing, which fielded a long list of talented drivers including NASCAR’S David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Dale Jarrett, and Bill Elliott; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that by limiting their time off the track they could increase their position on the track, Wood Brothers Racing created and perfected the modern pit stop; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s, the Wood Brothers’ notorious No. 21 car with the gold-colored decals proved to be a formidable challenge on the NASCAR circuit; with legendary driver David Pearson at the wheel, Wood Brothers Racing won the coveted “Triple-Crown” of NASCAR racing by winning the legendary Daytona 500, the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Wood Brothers Racing has fielded only Ford Motor Company products since 1950, making their relationship with Ford the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood was recognized for his outstanding career as a driver and team owner with his election and induction as a member of the third class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood joined fellow inductees Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Inman, and the widow of Richie Evans at the Charlotte Convention Center on January 20, 2012, for the induction ceremony; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood was inducted by his brother, Leonard, before an audience that included NASCAR dignitaries, drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, and family members and friends from Patrick County; and
WHEREAS, the Wood Brothers Racing Team holds the unique distinction as the oldest continuously operating team in NASCAR’s top series, and guided by Glen Wood, along with his brother, Leonard, the team has had 119 poles and 99 victories in more than 1,500 starts; and
WHEREAS, the Wood Brothers Racing Team has earned over $30 million in career winnings, and remains among the winningest racing teams in the history of NASCAR racing over the past 68 years; and
WHEREAS, Glen Wood will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Bernece; his children, Eddie, Len, and Kim, and their families; his siblings, Ray, Delano, Leonard, and Crystal; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow members and fans of NASCAR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Glen Wood, a NASCAR legend; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Glen Wood as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.