Elliott to retire for good at end of 2008

kelloggs5TLfan

kelloggs5TLfan

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Elliott to retire for good at end of 2008
http://www.autoracing1.com/hotnews.asp?tid=30532

Elliott_150.jpg


Bill Elliott
After 33 years on the NASCAR trail, Dawsonville's Bill Elliott is ready to head down another path. #21-Elliott, who did not finish high enough in Thursday's 150-mile qualifier to start Sunday's Daytona 500, said 2008 will be his last year as a Sprint Cup driver. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's time to move on and let this other generation have it," Elliott said. "I just feel like it's good to let everyone know what my thinking is. I've kind of put it off and rolled with the flow these last few years, but it's time. It's time to go do something different." He said he'll continue to drive the #21 Wood Brothers Ford on a part-time basis as he had planned, but if the Woods' other drivers, Marcos Ambrose and Jon Wood, seem ready to take on a larger role, he might cut short his planned 17-race schedule. "Ambrose might fall into place, or Jon might fall into place, and that would be what the Woods need to do to make the next step," he said. Another young racer is figuring into Elliott's decision, too —- his 12-year-old son Chase, who is rapidly developing into a formidable competitor in the Bandolero racing series. Traveling to Chase's races and also competing in Cup races has proved to be a logistical nightmare. "Last summer, I'd go race with Chase on Thursday night, then I'd pick up and go to wherever the Cup race was," Elliott said. "The earliest I got anywhere was 10 p.m., and it could be up to 4 in the morning to get where I was going, depending on when we raced. That's crazy." As a full-time driver, Elliott won 44 Cup races, 55 poles and the 1988 championship, but since going to part-time status after the 2003 season, he has had just one top-10 finish, at Indianapolis in 2004. Still, he has no regrets about the latter part of his career. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Elliot was my first favorite driver.

Good luck to him.
 
It's time Bill. Good luck this year.
I went to his first open house at Dawsonville. My Sister and my Uncle were fans of his.
 
Bill was, and still is my driver of choice, but it's time for him to go. It kills me to see him in the equipment he has right now. Good Luck Bill.
 
Yep, I also liked Bill. I agree though that his time has come to give the ride up.
 
the saddest day in a race drivers life is the day you let that steering wheel go after a race for the last time. suddenly there's an emptiness there that will never be filled again no matter how hard you try. go on down to Ford Dealer & get that two tone Eddie Bauer edition F350 dually & then to the local Bass Pro Shops and get that NITRO bass boat & head to the lake...
 
two things just as bad though.... watchin 'em ride around for years, never in contention, which usually somewhat taints what they have done, see also Petty and Waltrip...... or in my case.. seein a driver who's still competive, decide to hang it up, then rethink it, leave his home team and drive around in others stuff......... still rootin for ya Mark, but gotta get my eyes open to my next hero...... then again, the boat idea sounds pretty good....lol
 
Thats the hardest thing I'm having to do right now, find a new driver to root for. Elliott came along just as my first driver David Pearson retired. Then there was Kulwicki and Tim Steele. I just can't seem to find a driver. I root for Kahne strictly by default.
 
I know what ya mean..... I was kinda rootin for Carl Edwards for a bit, because he was supposed to be Mark's replacement, but with all happened at Roush, kinda got a bad taste in my mouth...... and Carl's kinda vanilla, then again, there ain't a whole lot of flavors left...lol
 
be9ak7ts16 said:
Thats the hardest thing I'm having to do right now, find a new driver to root for. Elliott came along just as my first driver David Pearson retired. Then there was Kulwicki and Tim Steele. I just can't seem to find a driver. I root for Kahne strictly by default.
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Bill is my all time favorite driver, when he came on board with Evernham with the #9 again , i was extactic! Getting back together with his old number was so cool, and the fact that he was with an organization that meant business was very promising. It meant Bill would have a good chance at getting back into victory lane. When Bill stepped aside and Kasey took over his ride i was a little sad, but i started rooting for Kasey and still do. It is hard however, not to miss those Coors days in the old 9, those were totally awesome, i bought two T-Bird Turbo Coupes back in the 80s just because i had to have them. Great cars by the way, never had any trouble with either one, the 85 was the best, would handle like nothing i had ever driven before. Anyway getting back to Elliot....when he left Evernham i was hoping he would hang it up for good , not get a ride with some one he had no chance of winning with, but that didn't happen. I'm glad he has decided to say goodbye, just too bad he can't go out with one more win, but i don't see that happening. Hopefully in a few years we will see his sone Chase in a Truck or Busch car, then maybe Cup someday...yeh Busch they are still Busch cars to me! Good Luck Bill....always my favorite, always a class act too as far as i'm concerned.:beerbang:
 
I'm kinda glad he's doing what he is. Yea, he's not with a big team, but he's elping build a team to make the sport a little more competitive.
 
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