HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The Wood Brothers announced Friday that Ken Schrader will replace Ricky Rudd next season, and that Jon Wood is expected to drive seven Nextel Cup races next season before joining full time in 2007.

Schrader, 50, had said earlier this year he planned to make next season his final season in Cup. He backed away from that statement during the announcement at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Wood Brothers are merging with JTG Racing to field teams in the Busch and Craftsman Truck series. Jon Wood and Stacy Compton each will remain with the Busch team. Marcus Ambrose and Bobby East will drive for the truck teams.

Co-owner Eddie Wood said his son Jon is set to drive in a second car for Schrader for seven Cup races next year to maintain his rookie status for a full season the following year.

Sponsors Motorcraft and the Air Force will be joined by Little Debbie, the car's primary sponsor in 18 races next year.

Busch series driver Brent Sherman will replace Schrader at BAM Racing next season.

Close call

Points leader Tony Stewart spun twice down the backstretch during Friday night's final practice session but did not damage his car.

Stewart spun coming off turn 2 shortly after practice started and spun down the 1,760-foot backstretch without hitting anything.

Shortly after driving back to the garage, Stewart was joking and laughing on the team's radio about the incident. Stewart returned to the track about 25 minutes after the incident.

Back together

Bill Davis Racing is expected to announce soon it has signed Dave Blaney to replace Scott Wimmer for next season.

Mike Brown, general manager at Bill Davis Racing, said the team has made its selection and expects to make an announcement in about 10 days.

Brown wouldn't confirm Blaney as the choice, but acknowledged Blaney would make a good fit for the High Point-based team.

"It would be a welcome sight for the guys at the shop," Brown said of Blaney returning.

Blaney drove for the team from 1999-2001. He also drove six Cup races for Davis in 2004 before joining Richard Childress Racing for this season.

Possible change

NASCAR officials are looking into increasing the amount of time Cup cars are on the track during a weekend. This season, a majority of the events had limited track time with Cup cars impounded after qualifying instead of having about 90 minutes of practice after. The change could give fans more chances to see driving, TV more practice to air and teams more time at the track.

Pit stops

Jeff Gordon was the fastest in the final practice session with a lap of 175.473 mph. He was followed by Mark Martin (175.109 mph), Carl Edwards (175.063), Casey Mears (175.046) and Jeremy Mayfield (174.126). Stewart was 28th fastest at 172.090 mph and Jimmie Johnson 21st at 172.911 mph. ... MB2 Motorsports will announce today that Waste Management will sponsor Sterling Marlin's Cup ride next season. ... Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne both are driving 2004 Dodges this weekend because the 2005s have struggled on 1.5-mile speedways. ... The truck race was postponed because of rain. It will be made up today.