Up and coming ... Keven Wood

Keven Wood, 21, is a third-generation member of one of racing's most famous families. His grandfather Glen Wood was a pioneer driver and car owner in NASCAR. His father, Len, is a co-owner of the family's No. 21 Ford driven in the Nextel Cup Series by Ken Schrader.Wood, who won a national title racing Legends cars, is racing Late Models in Virginia and the Carolinas with hopes of advancing to one of NASCAR's elite divisions as his cousin Jon Wood has done.Wood recently spoke with Rick Minter of Cox News Service.

On his season to date: "It's been pretty rough.We've had bad luck, everything from wrecks to blown motors. It started off good, but it's gone sour right now.We've got a good car; we're just not getting the finishes we should. Last week, we didn't get 50 feet past the starting line before they started stacking up, and we got in a wreck."

On future career moves: "I went to Caraway Speedway [in Asheboro, N.C.] and tested [Craftsman Truck Series] trucks with Marcos Ambrose and Bobby East [both of whom drive for the Wood Brothers JTG truck series team]. That went really well. My next goal is to try to get into the truck series, maybe run a race or two toward the end of next season and possibly full time the next year."

On whether getting a relatively late start in racing - he didn't start until 2002 - is hurting him: "Yes and no. I feel like I've accelerated my learning as much as I could by racing as much as I can, but the experience level is where I'm hurting."

On the pressures that come with being a member of a famous racing family: "I try to not let it be a burden, because if I did, it would mess up my focus. I try to look at it as a source of information and knowledge. If I win big, it's great, and if I don't, it's not like I'm a failure to the family."

On having his father for a car owner: "He's been really supportive. He can't always be at the races, but he checks with us pretty often by phone. Sometimes he gives me a little kick in the pants and pushes me to try a little harder."

On others who have helped him: "Ken Schrader, [Jon Wood's crew chief] David Hyder and Jon [Wood]. They've all given me different views and scenarios to try. Everything they suggested has worked out. You can't beat experience."