Bill Elliott hopes to reverse his '98 trend of having more DNFs (seven) than top-10 finishes (five). He will also have to fight through the distraction of running the 13 car, which was driven at the season-opening Daytona 500 by Dick Trickle.
Career
Elliott was winless for third straight season, but returned to competitive
form in 1997 after injury-plagued 1996. Fourteen top 10s including second at
Michigan in June, also had shot in Daytona 500 until Hendrick's Chevrolets
ganged up and dropped him to fourth. Wound up eighth in points and topped
$2 million mark in earnings for first time since 11-win 1985 season.
Became sole owner of Bill Elliott Racing midway through the 1996 season. Suffered a broken left femur in an early season crash at Talladega that forced him miss seven events and use a backup driver at several events, including the physically demanding road course at Sears Point.
Despite competing in only 24 races, he finished the season in 30th place, but it looks poor compared to his previous four consecutive years in the top-10.
Six times Elliott put his car into the top-10 in '96, with a season-best effort
of ninth at Darlington in the Mountain Dew Southern 500. Leave it to Elliott to make his comeback complete at the place known as "The Track Too Tough To Tame." However, as far as the points race was concerned, it was a case of too little too late.
Struggled at the start of the 1995 season, with only a sixth place at Talladega's Winston Select 500 for the effort. Then Mike Beam left Junior Johnson's team, came to work for Elliott and the team's fortunes turned golden.
With Busch poles and 11 top-10 finishes the team pulled itself from 20th to a season ending eighth in the points standings.
Holds the mark for the fastest recorded time in a stock car -- going 212.809 mph at 1987 Winston 500 qualifying.
Started racing short-tracks in Georgia with brothers Dan and Ernie. Started in Sportsman division in 1970. Made Winston Cup debut in 1976. First full Winston Cup season was 1983.
Credits Harry Melling for giving him biggest career break. First win came in 117th start, Winston Western 500 in 1983 at Riverside. First pole came in 56th attempt, at '81 Rebel 500 at Darlington. 1988 Winston Cup champion, first Ford driver to win title since 1969.
Three-time Winston Cup runner-up (1985, '87 and '92) and American Driver of the Year in 1985 and 1988. Voted Most Popular Driver in 1984, '85, '86, '87, '88, '91, '92, '93 and '94.
Won inaugural Winston Million in 1985 by winning three of four "Crown Jewel" events (Daytona 500, Winston 500, Southern 500). Won four consecutive races in 1992 to tie modern-era record. Won the Winston Select in 1986 and Busch Clash in 1987. Won single-season record 11 superspeedway races in 1985. Owns fastest recorded time in stock car, going 212.809 mph in qualifying for 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega. $936,779 in '94 earnings, finished 10th in 94 Winston Cup standings.
Sources: NASCAR Press Guides, Star and News staff reports.
