Rutledge Wood returns to racing this season with a new challenge. He will take on the Toyota GR Cup while running a limited schedule.
Wood, who previously won the Toyota Pro Celebrity events in 2013 and '17, will join Precision Racing LA for a limited Toyota GR Cup schedule. He will drive the No. 18 Toyota GR86 with Fun Times Soda Pop as his primary sponsor.
Wood will compete in two races each weekend while driving for Precision Racing LA.
"I couldn't be more excited to jump into the driver's seat and join the Toyota GR Cup Series for four race weekends in 2025," Wood said in a press release. "Cars have always been a huge part of my life, and having the opportunity to have some fun in the incredible Toyota GR86 is a dream come true.
"I need to give a huge thank you to Mario (Biundo, president and team principal, Precision Racing LA) and his team at Precision Racing LA for helping start the idea around this program, and everyone at Toyota for making it happen. I had the privilege of racing in the Toyota Pro Celebrity event years ago and can't wait to get behind the wheel in this incredible series as well."
Photo credit: Precision Racing LA
Rutledge Wood Toyota GR Cup schedule
- Circuit of The Americas (Austin, TX): April 25-27
- Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI): August 15-17
- Barber Motorsports Park (Leeds, AL): September 5-7
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indianapolis, IN): October 17-19
Wood is no stranger to racing in multiple roles. He previously served as a correspondent for NBC Sports and SPEED Channel while covering NASCAR. He interviewed drivers, owners, and industry members for several years. Some interviews took place at the track; others took place on a studio set known as Rut's Basement.
As a co-host of "Top Gear USA," Wood regularly raced Tanner Foust and Adam Ferrara while driving a variety of vehicles. This included muscle cars, pickups, supercars, electric cars, and even professional dragsters.
The ties to racing also included the Netflix series "Hyperdrive." Wood was a co-host of this show that featured drivers from around the world trying to post the fastest times on a custom automotive obstacle course.
Wood, a Toyota ambassador, will now take on the Toyota GR Cup as the series continues its third season. He follows Keanu Reeves and Dude Perfect's Cody Jones, who both competed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2024.
"Rutledge has been a great friend of Toyota and has an undeniable passion for cars and for racing," said Paul Doleshal, group manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America.
"We're looking forward to seeing Rutledge on the track this season and can't wait for fans to see what he can do behind the wheel."