09.01
September 1, 2010
It seems only fitting that as Atlanta Motor Speedway celebrates its 50th anniversary, the race team with the most wins at the Georgia track is celebrating a special anniversary of its own. The Wood Brothers, who lead all teams with 12 Atlanta victories, come to Atlanta for the Emory Healthcare 500 with the hometown favorite, Dawsonville native Bill Elliott, driving the blue-and-white No. 21 FordParts.com Ford Fusion.
It’ll be the second time this season that the Woods’ Ford has carried the FordParts.com colors on the same weekend that Tasca Racing, which competes in the NHRA, also switches from its familiar red-and-white colors to the blue and white of FordParts.com
“We’re excited about the paint scheme,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of the No. 21 Ford. “It looks really nice, and when we ran it in Michigan earlier this year it was well received.”
FordParts.com is a relatively new offering from Ford that offers a chance for repair shops, body shops, fleets, and do-it-yourselfers to order Genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts online.
Once a part is ordered, consumers can pick up the parts at a dealership or have them delivered to their home or shop.
The service offers a VIN-search capability up for more than 280,000 parts, and it also has available more than 22,000 detailed technical diagrams of parts and assemblies.
For Elliott, the thought of driving the FordParts.com car at his home track brings back memories of his five victories and five poles in 61 career starts on the home turf. It’s also a place that he remembers from his pre-driving days, of traveling there in the mid-1970s, parking in the infield and cheering David Pearson on to victory in the Wood Brothers Mercury.
Back in those days, Elliott and his family were well known in the north Georgia area for their unwavering support of Ford Motor Company and of NASCAR and its race tracks.
Elliott’s fondness for the 50-year-old AMS continues to this day.
“It’s great to get to race this close to home,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun racing there over the years, and I still enjoy racing there and still want to run good there.”
Elliott, like most veteran drivers preferred the old true-oval configuration at Atlanta, one that was changed to a quad-oval in the early 1990s. But he’s a little more encouraged than usual this week because of the success he and the No. 21 team had in their last AMS outing.
He qualified a disappointing 34th back in March, but his David Hyder-led crew made several changes to the car in the early laps and despite a pit-road penalty, Elliott drove his way toward the front, leading the race at one point and finishing 16th after weaving his way through some late-race multi-car crashes.
They also had a fuel-mileage strategy in play that could have put them in contention to win had the late-race caution flags fallen their way.
“I was really happy with the way we ran in the spring,” Elliott said. “We started way back, but everybody put in a great effort and we wound up running good.”
This weekend’s race will be the first at AMS for Elliott at night on Labor Day weekend. Last year he had to turn over the No. 21 Ford Fusion to David Gilliland after he injured himself riding his motorcycle the week before the race.
Elliott vows that won’t happen again.
“I’m staying off my motorcycle this week,” he said.
The Emory Healthcare 500 is set to begin Sunday night at 7:30, with TV coverage on ESPN.
Be a great weekend for me to see Bill and the Woods Bros get there first top ten finish of the season at AMS this Sunday.
Good Luck to you Bill and the Wood Bros. Lets hope you get a real decent
run and come home in the top 10.
Hey Bill,
I went to Chase’s race in concord this past weekend. It was a lot of fun watching Chase so young run that car so well. I got to go down on the track and meet Chase and your wife. They were very nice! I brought some pictures of the McDonalds car and I was hoping to get you and chase to sign them. But you had done left to go to the spotters stands. When I got back to my seat, my wife said she seen you walking over to the spotter’s area. I could see you standing over there. I couldn’t believe I was finely going to meet Bill Elliott. I had been pulling for you since I was just a kid and I had never got to meet you. So I started walking over to where you were standing. I was so nerves, I walked up with my pictures and you looked over there and said something like, WE NOT GOING TO START THIS ARE WE. I didn’t know what too say; now I was really nervous. Bill you came over there and Shook my hand and I told you I had been pulling for you since I was 10. I ask if you would sign my pictures for me. Since neither one of us had a pen, I WAS OUT. I said maybe I can catch you after the race. I went back to my seat in shock. I just got to meet Bill Elliott after 25 years and he was not very nice. I just couldn’t believe it. I was able to catch you after the race and you signed one of my pictures but you weren’t very enthused about it. I said I will see ya in Atlanta Bill and you acted like you didn’t even here me. Well Bill, maybe I just caught you at a bad time. Or maybe you just don’t like to give out autographs at Chases races. I will have to say, I NEVER EXPECTED THAT FROM YOU BILL! I will say I just caught you at a bad time. Because I still like pulling for BILL ELLIOTT!!! Hey Bill 4 tickets to the Charlotte race would make me fill a lot better!! I don’t know if Bill actually reads these messages but Cindy I know you do. So if he doesn’t Cindy will you pass it along? GOOD LOOK IN ATLANTA, I WILL BE PULLING FOR YA! YOU CAN COUNT ON IT!
I hate to hear your story. I got to meet Bill at an autograph signing in 2000. He was very nice and interacted with all the fans. I think you were right about catching him at the wrong time. Bill was working and having family time. I can’t even imagine what some drivers have to go thru or any celebrity for that matter. I bet they wish they were invisible sometimes.
Ha Brian, don’t get pissed at Bill. You got to remember when he is watching Chase race, I imagine he wants to be a dad, not the NASCAR star. There is a time and place for everything. Let him enjoy his son racing and not have to worry about autograph hounds. I have meet Bill several times in the last 25 years. The last time was at Ray Evernham’s shop on their yearly fan day. He was very nice and I had my picture made with him. He was very patient for someone with about 1000 people standing in line to see him. Catch him at a NASCAR race and I’m sure he will sign you pictures. In the meantime, let him enjoy his son at the track and think about the job at hand. On top of that I’m sure it was a tough week with the hauler wreck and all. Give him a break. And begging for tickets, how low can you go!
Twenty-five years ago this weekend Bill won the inaugural Winston Million at The Southern 500 in Darlington. There is only one ‘Million Dollar BILL!”
Give em hell Clyde!
Brian, I can understand your feelings but I have met Bill twice in person and both times he was the class act that we all like him for. That said, both times I met him were at times/venues where it was set up for fan interaction. I agree that you may have caught him at a moment where he was focused on his personal life (supporting his family) and may have just reacted accordingly. Not making excuses, just agreeing with your own opinions.
I like the new FordParts paint but I think that Motorcraft Red is one of the better looking cars on the track. Its easy to spot from the stands too!
Hey Brian M.–didn`t YOU say Bill was at the spotters stand- I (personally) would think that is NO time to bother Bill for an autograph. That is time for business !
Hey Brian–Me again. A lot of us DO NOT “think” before bothering our hero for an autograph. In about 1990 I was in the Holiday Inn lounge (near Darlingon) & I saw Barry Dodson sitting in a booth with someone. I went over & asked Barry to sign my hat. I had to borrow the other guy`s Sharpie to get the autograph. When I got back to my seat I was told that I had borrowed Dick Trickle`s Sharpie. I borrowed a driver`s pen to get a crew chief`s autograph. I REALLY had to apologize for that one.
That’s awesome!
Yes, I remember seeing you. And I am very glad you came out to support Chase. One thing you may be missing here is that when in the spotters stand Bill- and most spotters for that matter- talk by clicking a remote button, not by clicking their head set. So I am not sure how you knew that he was talking to you or the crew when he said “we are not going to start this are we” or you. I mean you did say he got up and walked over to you and shook your hand. I am sure he would have signed your items had you been prepared with your pen right?
After the races we are all about getting loaded up and back on the road home so if he was preoccupied after the race I am sure that is why. I am sorry for your bad experience but I will not be sharing this with Bill or sending you four tickets to Charlotte.
Don’t feel bad. Bill and I have seen that happen countless times when driver’s are in a group but a fan is just looking at one of them and never realizes who all is really standing there.
I went up There probably 30 minuets before the race started. Bill didn’t even have is headset on. I wouldn’t have even gone over there if his headset was on. He was just standing there talking. I’m not mad at all, I completely understand. I’m just saying I was shocked that’s all. The race tickets comment was just a joke!LOL !!
My autograph of Bill is not his signature scribbled on a piece of paper or on some die cast collecting dust on a shelf.
I went to the Elliott museum in Dawsonville the day after the DieHard 500 in Talladega in July of 1990 and Awesome Bill tore out of the compound in an old SVT Mustang, slowed enough to give a big friendly wave to two Canadian kids who had just raced down to Georgia in a hopped up Mustang 5.0 to see our hero race. This wave and smile meant more to me than any signature.
Also, Bill finished second the day before to that 3 car in 95plus degree heat and was working at the shop the next day.
Hi Cindy,
I am glad you enjoyed my embaracing autograph session. My sister-in law Jojo got Bill`s autograph (on a blank bank deposit slip) for me @ the Blairsville airport while attending a C.A.P. meeting. She also got YOUR autograph for me the same way–THANKS–
Let me tell all of you something – especially Brian M. My son races karts and at the track, I am a totally different person than I am any other time. Your kid is about to race and you have thousands of emotions going on. First, there is this nervous feeling ALL over you. Nervous for everything. Nervous that you forgot to tighten up something on the kart. Nervous about your kid running good. Nervous about them keeping the kart (car) out of a wreck. Nervous that it will be a bad points night. And, always in the back of your mind, nervous that your kid COULD get hurt. Heck, your mind dreams of EVERYTHING that could go wrong (except what actually does).
Man, it is STRESSFUL!! I don’t care what level you race on, it is stressful. I cannot tell you how many people I have had to apologize to a day or two after a race for being rude or downright being an a-hole. You get your mind on something and you just don’t let anyone distract you. You can’t, you’re too busy. And, in the moments when we do have some slack time just before the race starts, I just want to let my mind go numb. Not deal with anything.
Man, honestly, I sometimes wonder why we do it. Until about Tuesday when I go, “I’m ready to go racing.” Plus, on those days when we take the checkered flag, I can’t explain the feeling. It is amazing.
So give Bill, or anyone at the track who is there racing, a break. It’s a stressful time (unless it is after the race and they ran good – then nothing in the world is wrong).
Yes the blue & white stockcar looks cool with Bill and the team trying for a great finish ! All the best to to the #21 team @ Hotlanta…
i have met bill on 4 different occassions & have ALWAYS FELT my support of him since 1979 mattered to him! i got to see chase race at iowa this year and know i will be pulling for an elliott forever! i really enjoyed listening to bill the spotter & dad even though i would have loved to meet chase i’m sure i’ll get that chance in the future.usar isn’t running at iowa next year but asa is i hope bill& chase will be there good luck in atlanta hoping for a1985 or 1992 flashback!!!
Never met Bill. I used to go to a lot of races in the 80′s & 90′s. Pretty much just Darlington these days. Martinsville later this year for the 1st time. Looking forward to the Martinsville hot dog! Bill & the Woods won’t be there. I always wanted to meet him. Maybe some day. I do have his autograph though, from this website. Good Luck this weekend Bill!
Barry……We may never meet Bill, but being able to e-mail his wife is kind of a unique thing. Go Bill!
Correction. I didn’t mean e-mail. I meant talking on this web site.
Absolutely, Gerry. A cool thing indeed!
Congratulations to Chase and the BER team at North Wilksboro Speedway!
Are yall going to run the USAR race in South Boston on Nov 6th?
40th in first practice.
40th in happy hour practice.
Qualified 40th.
Please bring out the back up car. It can’t be any worse……………….can it?
I had the fantastic opportunity to meet Bill at several events and he was always a class act and never rude, once he took time during a busy qualifying session to sign autographs and pose for pictures with my family, I don’t believe Bill was ever rude to a fan. Bill and his family have always been very courteous to everyone. So (Brian M) you must have been mistaken. Bill Elliott is the best…..
I concur with David above.. Anytime I was able to meet him he was more than happy to sign. A time and place for everything. I know he always does his best on the track also !!
If Hyder will listen to what Bill tells him from the start of the race, they should do well today. Some how, I think that has been some of the problems they’ve had on the track. If we could have Bill doing both crew chief and driving at the same time, they would have had a win already. Anyway to clone Bill? I just want Bill to win.
A third of the way in, and we’re 2 laps down in 32nd. Bring it on in, park it, and go celebrate yesterday’s win with Chase.
I suppose this is what Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip fans felt like. To know that your favorite driver is still capable, but the equipment you have to work with, sucks the big one.
Apparently when Bill says the car is too tight, Hyder makes it more tight. Geeze.
I hope bill retires this year, it’s just so deflatting to watch this. Guys, Casey mears in the 13 is faster than us, WOW! Park it!!!!
Wish Bill was in the 9 car for next year but RPM has lost their minds. Anybody that would sign Allmenfinger is as bad as its gets. Even Richard Petty admitted that the 43 sucks this year. Maybe Bill can get a good ride somewhere.
Hey Cindy,
I also met you on pit road in concord and we were talking about some of the idiot posts on this board and you were telling me that people didn’t relize that you read the board and we talked about not knowing what the woods wanted Elliott to do next year. I also had my cousin take a pic of us with my cell phone. I hope you are not getting me confussed with Brian M.
23rd. Lead lap. An improvement. I realize we needed some well-timed cautions. We got ‘em and finished a little better as a result. Way to keep digging, Bill!
Bill took a 40th place hand-me-down R&D Roush car to a 23rd place finish. To all the others on this post, that’s why you don’t never give up. If he was driving top of the line stuff, he would have smoked their ass by two laps!
Cindy,
Are yall going to run the USAR race in South Boston on Nov 6th?
Yep-Bill hung in there !!!! Persistence is a good quality !!!!
On the R and D thing, the Wood Brothers should think more of Bill than to give him a David Ragan wrecked machine if that”s the case. I’m glad he never gives up, but Bill deserves the same quality of equipment that Hendrick, Gibbs, and Roush have. No excuses since they have the proper funding for the number of races they are entered in. If Bill has the equipment, he”ll burn the field.
Which is my entire point Red. Why is he out there with the Wood Brothers? They have not run good in 30 years! Two wins since 1992 r you kidding me. The car will always be at a 20 to 30 place competition level. Bill is a fantastic driver, I know that, but the whole when you get lemons make lemonade thing is good enough for 23rd place. At this point in his career he cant be having fun doing this. I mean to race at 8:00pm at night to midnight in a car that is 5 to 8 tenths off is got to be rough. They made no strides last night at all. Plus the pit crew gave us consistent 16+ second stops, Thanks! Great they finished on the lead lap, if we had the old rules we would have been 5 laps down! Wave arounds really? If this ride becomes full time next year he should just say no! But I guess its IDIOTS like me who have supported Bill for 25 years and bought tickets to see him race and purchased merchandise over the years not able to have an oppinion, right Mark. Your part of the problem……
Elliott/Wood Bros…. Way to hang tough last night and thru attrition and good pit calls, back on the lead lap. Any bloggers who lump this Wood Bros team with the “start and park” teams are simply wrong. I first went to the race shop on Route 9 in 1990 and found them busy but friendly. Lots has changed with the shop since those days, but I had Cindy go out to get a signature from Bill( probably 1996) while he was on a tractor smoothing the area in back of shop. Still take a drive to the poolroom and Ernie’s shop whenever in the area. Also bought a Bill Elliott 1995 T-Bird in 95 sight unseen ( Sosebee, Mark I think, picked me up at Atlanta airport and drove me to Dahlonega ) Beautiful black Tbird! Yes, even though I can’t turn a wrench, just a VP of a financial services company in Tampa, it was the Elliott family that hooked me on NASCAR!!! Great family, great story! Good luck…Scott from Odessa FL
Great Job Bill and Woods for a solid top 25. Its so darn tough to run in the top 25 these days. Full time teams can’t even keep it together for 500 miles. Woods just need to find Bill a little more speed.
Great Job Chase on your Win at North Wilksboro !!!
I usually sit and read these post and think to myself how “out-of-touch” most of you are. Last night I went to bed so disappointed at where Bill was running that I could not watch it anymore. This morning I woke up wishing I had stayed up to watch the rest of the race…..although 23rd was not a win it was still better then 4 laps down and not competing. Many of you, including myself, are willing to sit here and trash the Woods and Hyder for their calls and the way the racing is done. The way I see it, Bill and the 21 team are out there racing as hard as possible under the circumstances and doing very well. I want Bill to win again as much as everyone else but I also want him to do it how he sees fit. He seems comfortable with the race team and how it is performing…it is moving forward. Do I wish he would go back to full time and win another championship? Of course. But I was so disappointed how Bill left that I am happy to see him back in any capacity….Go Bill!!!!!
Yes, with Red Bull and Aaron’s. Hope to see you then.
Yes, I think I was confused that you were Brian. I am sorry about that.
Thank you, yes we are.
Understood. No offense taken here.
The Wood’s are great people like the Elliotts. Len and Eddie are some of the greatest guys in the garage. Jack Roush is running Ford’s Cup stuff this year, and with his own stuff not running well, until recently, that affects WBR. Also, if you are not in the garage area every weekend, you tend to get behind a little. A new trick here to pick up a tenth and a new trick there to pick up a tenth, 2 tenths could be 20 positions in qualifying at some tracks. I sure Bill and the Woods are doing the best they can with the cards they are delt.
Some good pics of Bill from the 70′s on this site!
http://www.angelfire.com/nf/beforum/