Associated Press

File 2007 Jon Wood says he feels a new sense of confidence since Wood Brothers made changes in the race team structure.

CONCORD, N.C. -- Jon Wood is finding comfort in a NASCAR Sprint Cup car and feeling more energized helping lead the Wood Brothers.

Wood gave up his seat in March before Las Vegas to Johnny Sauter, who failed to qualify for that race. Wood ran at Talladega last month, finishing 36th, and failed to qualify at Richmond last week.

The Stuart, Va., native says he chose not to drive at Las Vegas to show the team it wasn't just him in case the car did not qualify. Wood feels more comfortable with what he can do with the car since Mike Smith became the crew chief earlier this season.

"Things have gotten a lot better with the cars,'' Wood said during a break in testing Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"We weeded out some negativity within the upper management of that race team and the new crew chief has just been superb. It's made me want to literally get on my knees and beg to drive each week"

A key for Wood has been the phone calls to test for the team.

"It's very tough to maintain focus and interest in something that you really have no involvement in,'' Wood said, alluding to his limited duty with the team earlier this year.

"Now that I'm getting the calls to go do the testing ... just the fact that the crew chief and the guys want me to do it over whomever else, that's all it took for me to jump in and then next thing I know, subconsciously, without effort, I'm showing up at the shop everyday early.

"I can't believe the change in attitude that I've had without being told, 'Act like you're interested.' I really am and, again, it took being involved and it took a call from the crew chief saying, 'Hey, we want you to do it,' to turn all that around."

Wood will miss the Darlington race because Bill Elliott is scheduled to compete there. Wood can't run during in any of the all-star events because he wasn't in the top 50 in driver points as of March 10.

He'll continue to drive in the truck series and return to Cup at the 600. He said he's also scheduled to drive for the Wood Brothers, ranked 44th in car owner points, in the Cup races at Dover and Pocono in June.

Feeling secure

Although car owner Rick Hendrick says that Tony Stewart won't drive the No. 5 car Casey Mears pilots, there remains talk that such a scenario could happen. Stewart has a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2009 season but Internet reports last month stated he might leave the team after this season.

So, how does Mears feel about all this?

"I feel good,'' said the defending Coca-Cola 600 winner.

"We're solid for next year and definitely focused on moving forward. Rick has stated that several times.''

The favorite Busch

Fans might boo Kyle Busch but somebody is buying his merchandise. Mark Dyer, president and CEO of Motorsports Authentics, said Busch has among the biggest increases in merchandise sales from last year.

Part of that, no doubt, relates to M&M's, which is Busch's sponsor.

The candy product is a popular souvenir item.

Busch is in the top 10 among drivers but hasn't cracked the top five, which typically includes Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson. Motorsports Authentics does not release the order, although Earnhardt is No. 1.

Says Dyer of Busch: "He's captured the imagination of a lot of fans with his aggressive style and winning races."

Pit stops

Brad Keselowski, who ranks seventh in the Nationwide series for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team, tested for Haas CNC Racing on Monday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Johnny Sauter drove the car Tuesday. ... Jimmie Johnson has eight top-10 finishes, including two wins, in nine starts at Darlington.