'Favorite' Indy Could Figure In Elliott's Limited Schedule
By Dick Mittman
allstate400atthebrickyard.com
Friday, December 5, 2003
When Bill Elliott won the 2002 Brickyard 400, his 6-year-old son Chase nearly stole the show in the post-race press conference as he crawled about his dad's lap while Awesome Bill answered questions from the media.
Now it will be Elliott's turn to upstage his son when he drives a go-kart into victory lane.
Elliott announced Dec. 4 at a press conference in New York that he will drive his Dodge in a reduced NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule with Evernham Motorsports starting in 2004. Elliott, 48, said two of the primary reasons for cutting back were that the 38-race season had become too grueling, and a reduced schedule would provide him the time to watch his son race.
But this doesn't mean Elliott won't drive in the 2004 Brickyard 400 on Aug. 8 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Elliott's exact schedule will be will not be determined until sponsorship is attained, Elliott and team owner Ray Evernham said. But Elliott did say he wants to race at tracks he enjoys.
"The races I'd love to run would be the Michigans, California, maybe Pocono, Indy and go from there," Elliott said at the press conference. "We've got to put a lot of things in place yet."
Said Kristine Curley, team public relations representative, "Indy obviously is one of his favorite tracks."
And for good reason.
Over the first 10 years of the event that started in 1994, Elliott finished in the top 10 eight times. He started second in 2002 and came home first to bring Dodge its first victory at Indy.
Elliott placed third in 1994 and 2000, fourth in 1995, fifth last August and eighth in 1997 and 2001. He was 10th in 1996 and 12th in 1998 despite starting 37th. The only year he didn't complete all 160 laps was 1999 when he started eighth but chugged home 23rd, one lap down.
Elliott's career earnings in the Brickyard total $1,881,876.
Before this year's race, Elliott talked about how the Brickyard 400 has become a favorite of drivers and fans.
"I think we've been able to carve our way into the record books here in a short period of time," he said. "And I think the people that were Indy 500 fans have become Brickyard fans and vice-versa. I think it's been a two-fold deal.
"You know, to me, I've enjoyed running here over the last 10 years. I enjoyed coming here for the Goodyear test back in '92. I had some good memories, great memories of last year, great win here."
Elliott will become involved in the business end of Evernham Motorsports, as well, as a coach and mentor for the team's young drivers. Kasey Kahne, 2000 USAC Midget Car champion, moves up from the NASCAR Busch Series to take over the seat in Elliott's No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, with Tommy Baldwin joining Evernham Motorsports as team director for the car. Jeremy Mayfield will continue to drive the No. 19 Dodge.
In the chat transcript of fan questions for Elliott on Thursday at NASCAR.com, he answered one fan: "I am not retired (laugh). I am just cutting back. I would say age, getting to the point that the grind of a 38-race season is tough and being able to take some time off down the road is a key part, but I enjoy driving a race car. But now I have a lot of opportunities to do other things, like watch Chase race go-karts, or help Ray develop cars and drivers, and still be part of the events I like to go to."
Posted as part of the chat transcript was a picture of Elliott kissing the yard of bricks at Indy after winning in 2002.
Elliott came close to ending his final full season on a tremendous high. He won at Rockingham, N.C., and led on the last lap in the season finale at Homestead-Miami when a cut tire took him out. Still, he finished ninth in the final standings. Eight of the nine drivers who placed in front of him were at least 16 years younger.
The man who made his hometown of Dawsonville, Ga., famous made his first Winston Cup start in 1976 at Rockingham, finishing 33rd and winning $640. In 1985, he won 11 races and 11 poles, launching NASCAR to a new level of awareness by winning the Daytona 500, Winston 500 at Talladega, Ala., and the Southern 500 at Darlington, S.C., to earn a $1-million bonus.
Elliott won the Winston Cup title in 1988. He has driven in 730 Winston Cup races, won 44 and has career earnings of $35,593,703. ***
2004 race tickets: Brickyard 400 fans are encouraged to send their ticket renewals, upgrades and orders for the 2004 race, scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 8, to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as soon as possible.
To purchase tickets, camping or parking, contact the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY or log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
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