Winston: Bill Elliott preview

Bill Elliott
No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Intrepid

KEYS TO RUNNING IN THE WINSTON

"If you're running good (in The Winston) you can kind of let everything hang out. I've won segments of the race. When they get down to inverted and right there at the end, we've never been able to capitalize on that side of the deal. When I came with Mike Ford, I've sat on the poles for that race several times. We've won lots of segments, but we haven't been able to win the one that counts. Usually the guy who comes out of the Winston Open has a little bit of an advantage. He's already run the deal and he knows what he needs to do to get to the end. Usually when they invert that deal, if you find yourself in the right spot, you end up up front when you need to be.

SPECIAL WINSTON MEMORIES

"There are so many things that went on throughout the years. I guess I'd have to say that '86 was a pretty good one. I won it that year. I've sat on the pole umpteen times. It's been a good qualifying event for me. I do remember that Earnhardt and I got into it in '87. The caution flag came out and I think he was on the outside and I was on the pole. We got to beatin' and bangin' and I got pretty mad because he took me out. I ran into him after the race. I was mad. He cost me the win. What would you do?"

RACE NOTES

Bill Elliott is scheduled to drive chassis No. 11 this weekend in The Winston. This chassis was raced last year at Fontana, Charlotte (b), Chicago and Phoenix. Its highest finish is fourth at Fontana.

STATS & FACTS

CAREER IN THE WINSTON

* This will be Elliott's 18th start in The Winston. He has one win, six top-fives and 13 top-10s in the race's history. He has an average finish of 8.00 in the All-Star Event.

MOST WINSTON APPEARANCES

* Elliott has driven in all but one Winston race, 1996, when he was unable to enter due to injuries sustained at Talladega that year. He is tied with Terry Labonte for the most Winston starts among active drivers (17). No driver in NASCAR history has competed in all 18 Winston events.

TOP FINISHES

* Elliott took the pole position in The Winston in 1987, 1997 and 2000. His sole victory came in the 1986 event. In last year's race, Elliott earned his 13th career top-10, placing 10th. He earned his most recent top-five finish in 1992.

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