Brooklyn II: Bill Elliott preview

BILL ELLIOTT
NO. 9 DODGE DEALERS INTREPID R/T

HISTORY AT MICHIGAN
"There's a lot of history for me here at Michigan. I've said before that it's kind of like a home track for me in some regards. You know, back in the early days with Harry Melling and Jim Knutson, they really helped us get started. Their support was very important to my brothers and me. I've got a lot of friends up there."

RUNNING AT MICHIGAN
"Michigan is one of my favorite tracks. There are a lot of guys who generally run well here though. We've had good runs there in our Dodge. Earlier this year we qualified well and had a good car. Starting up front is important. It's usually a pretty competitive race. Aero will be a factor. I don't know how the new rules change (for the Pontiacs and Chevrolets) will affect us. We'll just concentrate on our stuff and not worry about the rest. Mike (Ford, crew chief) and the guys have been putting good stuff underneath me and we'll go out there and do our best."

SCHEDULE SINCE THE WINS
"It's been a pretty busy two weeks. You just can't do everything you need to do. We went to Peavly to run Schrader's dirt track race before Indy and then we went to New York City last week to do the Regis and Kelly show. Everyone's been great though. The fans have been so supportive of me throughout all those lean years. It's just nice to get a second chance at things again."

TEAM COMMUNICATION
"You can see how much this team has come together on the race track but I knew that it was just a matter of time. We were close so many times it seemed like before Pocono. I think the last couple of months have really brought this team that much closer. We've tested quite a bit. In fact, we're testing at Bristol this week. We tested at Indy right after Chicago. We've got some races under our belt now and the communication is really there and I've said this many times, that's the most important part. You've got to be able to communicate what the race car is doing and we have been able to do that pretty well so far."

POINTS RACE
"The points race is so close, you can't really get bogged down in thinking about it. You really have to just take it a race at a time and that's what I've said all along. If we focus on our stuff and not worry about everyone else, we'll be fine. The points will come and we'll see at the end of the season where we end up. Right now we are focused on Michigan and getting a good starting spot on Friday and then having a good clean race on Sunday. The guys have been doing a good job back at the shop, at the race track and in the pits. They're all working hard and I think it shows."

RACE NOTES

* The No. 9 team is bringing the same car that won races at Homestead, Pocono and Indianapolis to Michigan International Speedway this weekend.

* The No. 9 Dodge Dealers team is testing at Bristol Motor Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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