Bildnummer: 08013186 Datum: 27.09.1981 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 1981 Sep 27: Leonard Wood, front tire changer, and Glen Wood, jackman, lead the Wood Brothers in a pitstop for driver Neil Bonnett (21) Wood Brothers Ford Thunderbird during the Old Dominion 500 NASCAR Motorsport USA Winston Cup Grand National race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. NASCAR Motorsport USA 1981 SEP 27 Old Dominion 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon95109278108236; xmk x0x 1981 quer Image number 08013186 date 27 09 1981 Copyright imago Icon Smi 1981 Sep 27 Leonard Wood Front Tire changer and Glen Wood Jackman Lead The Wood Brothers in A Pitstop for Driver Neil Bonnett 21 Wood Brothers Ford Thunderbird during The Old Dominion 500 Nascar motor aviation USA Winston Cup Grand National Race AT Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville VA Nascar motor aviation USA 1981 Sep 27 Old Dominion 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon95109278108236 xmk x0x 1981 horizontal
Bildnummer: 08013186 Datum: 27.09.1981 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 1981 Sep 27: Leonard Wood, front tire changer, and Glen Wood, jackman, lead the Wood Brothers in a pitstop for driver Neil Bonnett (21) Wood Brothers Ford Thunderbird during the Old Dominion 500 NASCAR Motorsport USA Winston Cup Grand National race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. NASCAR Motorsport USA 1981 SEP 27 Old Dominion 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon95109278108236; xmk x0x 1981 quer Image number 08013186 date 27 09 1981 Copyright imago Icon Smi 1981 Sep 27 Leonard Wood Front Tire changer and Glen Wood Jackman Lead The Wood Brothers in A Pitstop for Driver Neil Bonnett 21 Wood Brothers Ford Thunderbird during The Old Dominion 500 Nascar motor aviation USA Winston Cup Grand National Race AT Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville VA Nascar motor aviation USA 1981 Sep 27 Old Dominion 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon95109278108236 xmk x0x 1981 horizontal
Feb 28, 2026, 10:05 PM CUT
91-YO Ford Legend Leaves NASCAR Fans in Disbelief with Handmade Engine
Even during the pandemic era in 2021, NASCAR pioneer Leonard Wood found himself in the spotlight for building a half-scale model of a 1967 427 Ford engine.
This engine was originally derived from the Galaxie, but it went on to become what powered the Ford Mk. IV, driven by Dan Gurney and A. J. Foyt to victory at Le Mans.
Now fast-forward to 2026, and Leonard Wood once again displayed his engineering brilliance. Wood Brothers Racing shared a video on X, writing,
“Once upon a time (2021), Leonard built a 50% scale 427 replica. People said that’s cool, but does it run? Once upon a time (today), Leonard revved a new handmade 50% scale Boss 429 to 6000 rpm without sending pushrods through the ceiling. ^disassembled for a bit to tidy up.”
The 91-year-old served as co-founder, crew chief, engine builder, and mechanic for Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR’s oldest active team. His innovations and leadership drove the team’s early success and shaped modern racing practices.
At the age where most people retire, Wood stands to be an exceptional person. The video captures him explaining the building process so precisely, proving his intelligence hasn't faded away with time and age.
The fans wasted no time flooding the comment section with reactions full of awe and nostalgia.
NASCAR Fans turned Leonard’s Garage Triumph into a Viral Celebration
On X, NASCAR enthusiasts flooded with reactions blending disbelief, admiration, and heartfelt nostalgia.
Even Ray Evernham, the former owner of Evernham Motorsports and former crew chief of Jeff Gordon's No. 24, also commented, “So awesome. Leonard has been working on that for a while, but it's amazing to see it running. He is a genius.”
This comment also highlighted how long the journey has been and how long the fans have been keeping up with Wood's journey of innovation.
The 91-year-old milestone amplified the shockwaves, with a commenter emphasizing his enduring stature: “Keep in mind, Leonard is 91 years old. The man is a living legend, an icon.”
This comment echoed Wood’s decades-spanning influence on Ford performance in NASCAR, from the ’60s to modern Mustangs.
“Somewhere I have to think Smokey Yunick is smiling about this one,” another fan added, linking Wood’s work to the late NASCAR innovator’s garage-built brilliance.
Even at the age of 91, Leonard Wood continues to show that innovation is not just about raw power; it’s about passion.
Written by
Pulkit Prabhav
Edited by
Kaamna Dwivedi