With something different on every corner and the long straightaways, it takes a special car and a special driver to tame the “Tricky Triangle.” Among all of the drivers to race Pocono the last 35 years are a handful who can lay claim to being the masters of the triangular track. All are names that will go down in NASCAR history as being among the best. Names like Tim Richmond, Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, and a humble, working-class redhead from Dawsonville, Georgia.
His nicknames belie his “aw shucks” demeanor. He’s been given flamboyant monikers like “Million Dollar Bill” and “Awesome Bill From Dawsonville.” With his blue collar beginnings, tenacity and accomplishments, one writer called Bill Elliott “Dale Earnhardt without the mean streak.”
Call him you want, but call him a winner. In the course of his career, Elliott has won 44 races, a Winston Cup championship, 16 “Most Popular Driver” awards, and with 5 victories at Pocono Raceway, William Clyde Elliott stands at the head of a distinguished class of Pocono masters.
Considering his story, it seems Bill Elliott was destined for a stock car racing career. He
was born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville, Georgia,- stomping grounds for one of racing’s greatest forebears- Lloyd Seay. Like Seay’s clan, the Elliott’s were steeped in the culture of moonshine running and stock car racing. In the early years of Elliott’s career, Bill toiled for a family-run operation with his father George and his brothers Ernie and Dan alongside him. In his formative years, Bill honed his skills at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.
In the 1976 running of the Carolina 500 at Rockingham, a 20-year-old Elliott made his Winston Cup debut in a Ford Torino. He started 34th in a field of 36, an oil pump ended his day after 32 laps- earning $640 for his work. Lacking funding, but certainly not lacking talent and spunk, he showed flashes of his potential by getting a top 10 in the 1977 Southern 500 at Darlington and his first top five in the same race in 1979, finishing second to his hero, David Pearson. While still racing for his dad, Elliott got his first pole in 1981 at that same track.
Michigan-based tool manufacturer Harry Melling bought the Elliott family operation before the 1982 and the businessman gave Bill the financial boost he needed to get equipment that matched his talent. With Melling’s support, Elliott earned 8 top 5s and 9 top 10s in 1982.
As the 1983 season was winding down, Bill Elliott got his first career victory at Riverside on November 20, 1983. If people didn’t know the Georgian then, they soon would as the victory catapulted him into a 10 year stretch where Elliott was one of the dominant forces in an era that also produced legends such as Earnhardt, Waltrip, Richmond, Rusty Wallace, Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison to name a few. Elliott managed to finish third in the season’s standings behind champion Bobby Allison and runner-up Darrell Waltrip with 12 top 5s and 22 top 10s.
Elliott says “You need to win multiple times if you want to carve out a place in a sport.
In some respects your second and third and fourth and fifth wins are more important. They prove that the first one wasn’t a fluke and that you belong out there on a weekly basis with the best cars, drivers, and teams in the world.” He was certainly on his way to proving that.
From 1983 through 1990, Bill Elliott never finished outside the top 10 in the points at season’s end. By 1984, Elliott had secured sponsorship from Coors and he also earned the first of his “Most Popular Driver” awards. Concerning the award, Elliott says “To this day, I doubt that I really was the most popular driver in NASCAR in 1984, but I couldn’t argue with the fact that I did have the most ardent supporters. Those dedicated friends are responsible for my winning the award several times over the last few decades.”
Elliott picked up a trio of wins in ‘84 at Michigan, Charlotte and Rockingham.
Elliott hit high gear in 1985 with 11 wins. Among the victories was a season sweeps at Pocono and Michigan. By winning the “Winston Million” he earned the nickname “Million Dollar Bill.” He earned the achievement with victories at Daytona, Talladega and Darlington. A rough run towards season’s end cost Elliott a championship as Darrell Waltrip won by 101 points. During that era, Elliott became the first NASCAR racer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.
In 1986, Elliott picked off another season sweep at Michigan and a victory in the second ever all-star race run in Atlanta. With a speed of 209.383 miles per hour, he had established a qualifying record at Talladega.
While overtaking Dale Earnhardt for a Cup title would prove too tall a task in 1987,
Elliott enjoyed a spectacular season with 6 wins and a new record of 212.809 miles per hour at Talladega- a record unlikely to ever be broken in the restrictor plate era. In fact, Elliott’s proficiency at topping 200 miles per hour, coupled with Bobby Allison’s horrifying flight into the catch fence are no doubt tow leading factors in introducing the restrictor plate at Daytona and Talladega.
He also gained notoriety in the “Pass In The Grass” incident in the all-star race with Dale Earnhardt.
It was one of the few times anyone had ever seen Elliott incensed. Angered at what he saw as aggressive and reckless driving by Earnhardt, Elliott blocked Earnhardt on Turn One in the victory lap. One story has it that Elliott threw out every pair of Wrangler jeans he had (Earnhardt’s sponsor at the time), and vowed to never wear Wrangler again.
Bill Elliott solidified his standing among the NASCAR immortals in 1988. Thanks to 6 wins (Bristol, two at Dover, Firecracker 400, Pocono and Darlington’s Southern 500), 15 top 5s, 22 top 10s and just one DNF, he captured a Winston Cup championship. Elliott edged Rusty Wallace by 24 points with Earnhardt in third.
As the sun set on the 1980s, Elliott would pick up yet another win in 1989 at Pocono along with two other wins en route to a 6th place finish that season. His efforts were slowed by a broken wrist suffered while practicing at Daytona. Jody Ridley covered Elliott in relief.
Tragedy struck Elliott’s team in 1990. Elliott’s rear tire changer Mike Rich was struck and killed on pit road by Ricky Rudd in Atlanta. The tragedy ushered in speed limits coming on and off of pit road. He finished 4th in the standings with a lone win at Dover.
In his final season with Melling’s, Bill Elliott mustered a single at Daytona in July of 1991. His string of 8 consecutive seasons in the top 10 came to end as Awesome Bill finished 11th.
One NASCAR legend paired with another when Bill Elliott paired with owner Junior Johnson in 1992. The match looked like magic as Elliott went on a 4-race winning streak in March with wins at Rockingham, Richmond, Atlanta and Darlington. That season, Elliott became a part of an exciting championship battle between Elliott, favorite son Davey Allison, independent Alan Kulwicki and Harry Gant. Elliott had more wins (5), more top 5s (14) and more top 10s (17) than Kulwicki, and he was able to capture the season finale at Atlanta. Yet by leading the most laps, Kulwicki edged Elliott by a scant 10 points in one of the most thrilling fights to the finish.
Bill Elliott finished a quiet 8th the following season and he had a single win at Darlington in 1994. By 1995, his association ended with Johnson and he struck out on his own to form his own team.
He finished out the 90s without a win, though Elliott managed an 8th place finish in the points in 1997. When former Jeff Gordon crew chief Ray Evernham formed a team in 2001, Elliott came on board as the original driver of the #9 driven now by Kasey Kahne. He got Evernham his first win as owner by taking the checkered flag at Homestead.
He would follow up with wins in two straight races- Pocono and Indianapolis- in 2002. Elliott was especially dominant in his Brickyard victory. In 2003, he won at Rockingham and nearly pulled off a victory at Homestead before a cut tire ended his hopes and gave way for a Bobby Labonte win. He finished 9th in the points and he gave up his ride to Kahne.
Since that time, Elliott has raced on a part-time basis: running some for Evernham, then Michael Waltrip, John Carter, Nelson Bowers and most recently for the Wood Brothers.
This season, in limited appearances, Elliott shows he’s still got some of that fire with great qualifying efforts as a “go or go home” driver, and usually he pulls off some solid finishes. Elliott made his 800th career start at Lowe’s for the Coca- Cola 600. He’s made top 20 runs in that race and the Michigan race as well.
While he hasn’t won the most races or the most championships, no doubt Bill Elliott has left his mark on NASCAR. Not only has he been a force at Pocono, he also demonstrated brilliance at tracks like Michigan, Dover and Darlington. He’s won on everything from a road course to a superspeedway. In fact, Elliott has been named as one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers.
Not only has he been a winner, he has captured the hearts of NASCAR Nation. Perhaps his appeal can be summed up by his own words: “We didn’t buy our way into a good team as happens so often today. We did it on our own and that’s what I’m most proud of. That to me was the key to the whole thing. Like Frank Sinatra says, ‘I did it my way.’ And we did. Our success was the result of our hard work, patience and innovation.”
Like Dale Earnhardt and Alan Kulwicki, Bill Elliott has come by his accomplishments honestly. Racers like him are a rarity these days,making him worthy of remembrance.
Sources: billelliott.com, wikipedia, georgiaencyclopedia.org, Yahoo! and 2007 edition of NASCAR Record and Fact book.
PHOTO CREDITS- Headshot by Sam Greenwood for NASCAR, Elliott’s Pocono 500 win by EOS Boy, #9 car by Punky9, Young Bill Elliott (1982) by dalezoom, Elliott at Watkins Glen by frpalmer, Elliott’s 94 car by us44mt, Elliott Montego by 78BRD. To see more, visit flickr.com or click on the hyperlink.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
While this article praises Elliott, it incorrectly paints him as a redneck. The whole family did work hard, but his dad attended two Ivy League schools (one before and one after WW II) and graduate school at Emory. Both brothers have degrees from North Georgia College and State University (then second only to Tech in the state of Georgia). Bill asked not to attend college – implies that he was not a good student. Folks, don’t let the North Georgia accent fool you – this is one savvy guy.
Bill Elliott was not only the best driver ever to race in NASCAR, but one of the nicest down to earth persons I have ever met.He has proven that not only with his driving style and ability but with his fans as well.I’ve met him several times and it has always been a pleasure.His record on the track and being voted most popular driver speak for themselves.Bill Elliott is one of a very few people who I could say this about.He’s still the best as far as I’m concerned.I think some of the other drivers could learn a thing or two from him. Frank Carter
Bill Elliott is an incredible individual and a true racing great.
It is easy to understand why Bill Elliott had ardent supporters.
@Fran. This is what I love about blogging & interaction. I can’t say I ever knew what you’ve shared about Elliott’s family. They’re just not talked about much. Doesn’t necessarily surprise me though.
I do want to make a distinction: to me, there’s a difference between “blue collar” and “redneck.” To me, the Elliotts are blue collar.
Blue Collar: hard-working, does physical work. Not dumb by any means and may do techical work. I come from a blue collar background, the son of a millwright/ welder.
Redneck: Simple, in many cases by choice in this day & age. Generally a little rough around the edges and wears unsophistication like a badge.
@Frank Carter
@ JM Smith. Doing this piece was a pleasure. In spite of all his success, I don’t think Awesome Bill ever lost his humility. Success changes some people a great deal- some for the better, some for the worse. Elliott seems like,well, like the words of the Little Jimmie Dickens song “Country Boy”: I’d be the same in Hollywood, or right in my own kitchen. I believe in fussin’ when you’re mad and scratchin’ when your itchin.’”
Bill’s dominance at tracks like Rockinham, Michigan and Pocono showed just how versatile he was as a driver. I clearly remember a race at Michigan with Ray. The transmission had failed, but yet there in the corners (via the in car cam) you could see Bill passing cars…IN NEUTRAL! Once Bill had a place figured out it was hard to keep him from a top 5.
I think it is nice that Bill is still racing. It seems a great match for him to be driving for the Wood Brothers in the famous #21 ford. To me it is a class act driver running a car for a class act team. Best of luck!
Bill Elliott is a class act! It is a shame that most media outlets barely even bring up his name during broadcasts. He will win again before he hangs it up!
I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting Bill Elliott. Let me say this, I have never met a more sincere, honest, and caring man than him. Seems like all of the drivers of today and all about photo op times and how they interact with the media. Bill Elliott never followed that lead. He is just as down to earth today as he ever was…….and that is what holds him in high regard to his many loyal fans.
Until he decides to call it quits………..he will always be the driver I pull for!
Bill Elliott may be the greatest “unknown” driver of all time. Despite the Sports Illustrated cover, the media have ignored Bill way too much. He is a gentleman was well as a great driver. If Bill had had the equipment from day one that Jeff Gordon had, then Bill would be a multi-multi-time champion. He is that good.
I met and interviewed Bill Elliott at Indy in 2006 for his fan club,he’s a real genuine person who has not let his success change him.He really appreciates what he has accomplished in his racing career and is very proud of the way he achieved his success especially in the 80’s winning the championship with his family run operation out of dawsonville. Bill is the best driver in nascar.Im so proud of the progress that Bill and the Woodbrothers have made this year.Since David Hyder took over as crew chief last year they have really improved the performance on the track.If you give Bill a good car their is nobody that can get the job done any better.It would be great to see Bill in victory lane again.