Simple is just as impactful as fancy NASCAR marketing says Leonard Wood. Who's to argue with the effect he and brother Glen have in sharing goodness with local citizens?
Opinion: Wood brothers grant wish
Wood brothers, Leonard (left) and Glen (right), take time Wednesday to visit racing fan Charles Leftwitch (center) at the Blue Ridge Rehab Center in Martinsville. Carol Wood, daughter in-law to Glen, and BRRC marketing director Tilisa Riddle arranged the meeting with Leftwitch, who collects racing memorabilia. (Bulletin photo Chris Pride)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
By CHRIS PRIDE - Martinsville Bulletin Sports Writer
There are many ways we can change peoples lives or at least bring on a smile. Sometimes the easiest way to do that is simply spending time with them.
Thats what the Wood brothers, Stuart and Patrick County natives, did Wednesday afternoon. In conjunction with the Blue Ridge Rehab Center (BRRC), racing legends Glen and Leonard Wood made an appearance for a few hours at the Blue Ridge Village to honor a request for one of racings biggest fans.
Carol Wood, daughter in-law to Glen, and BRRC marketing director Tilisa Riddle arranged a special meeting for one BRRCs patients, Charles Leftwitch. The normally talkative race car aficionado was rendered speechless at the arrival of one of NASCARs biggest names. It was something that executive director Chris Oswald said left a lasting impression.
To bring in the Wood brothers who are local legends and mix it with Charles passion for racing was just a phenomenal experience, Oswald said. You could just see in his eyes that this was probably one of the best days of his life.
As NASCAR continues to find ways to become more marketable, Leonard Wood noted that simple things, such as making visits like this one, has just as much of an impact.
Its very rewarding that were in a position to come in and brighten up somebodys day, he said. To see the look on their face, theyre so happy to get an autograph; its so rewarding to us. It feels good to know that were healthy enough to do this sort of thing and to do something to make someones life a little bit better.
The Wood brothers began their visit with a trip to Leftwitchs room, which contains a variety of collectibles and posters from some of his favorite racers. A longtime Earnhardt fan, Leftwitchs prized piece is a Dale Earnhardt Sr. cutout that stands in the corner of his room. The Woods presented him with a personal Wood Brothers Racing button to add to his stash. Leftwitch had gathered most of his valuables with money from collecting and recycling cans.
After visiting personally with Leftwitch, the brothers spent the next hour or so downstairs signing autographs and taking pictures with many others in the rehab center who wanted to see the local racing pioneers.
Martinsville is a race town and most of the guys that have been in this sport for years are home grown, Oswald said. Our residents were so proud to have the Wood brothers autographs and some even had loose leaf books signed specifically for them. The Wood brothers are like celebrities to these folks.
Wood Brothers Racing will not be featured this weekend with its No. 21 car driven by up-and-coming youngster Trevor Bayne. The youngest driver in the Wood Brothers history won the 2011 Daytona 500, the first win for the company in 10 years. With over six decades of racing, WBR holds the longest association with a manufacturer, Ford, and has won at least one race in every one of those decades. With 98 total victories, Leonard acknowledged how privileged he is to be associated with so many great drivers in his time.
Weve had 75 drivers over our time, so you can imagine all the types weve dealt with, Leonard said. Theres always something unique in how you set up the car for each one. Trevor is a great young kid, and weve been so fortunate over the years to have so many great drivers race our cars.
Recently, Glen was inducted into the 2012 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame with the help of his brother.
It was a great experience, and I hope (Leonard) gets nominated next year because hes a big part of why Im here, Glen said. I guess Im also part of the reason why hes nominated to go in, too. Its been an up-and-down roller coaster over 62 years.
Glen and I have always worked well together, made decisions together, discussed strategy, and weve just supported each other throughout, Leonard added.
While racing has certainly changed from the time they began, one mentality has stayed the same: winning.
The bottom line, whether it was the first race we ever did, its about winning races, Leonard said. To win then was very exciting just as it was last year at Daytona.
With this weekends Sprint Cup race at Martinsville approaching, Leonard looks forward to watching the race. He has plenty of history and knowledge of the Martinsville track and enjoys the different facets of racing that the track demands.
At Martinsville you use a different strategy all together, said Leonard. It works the breaks, acceleration, the traction and runs very different than any other race track. You really need to know how to use your brakes.
Copyright 2012 - Martinsville Bulletin, Inc. - All rights reserved.
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updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
