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 Bill
Elliott's racing career had been nothing short of "awesome". The 1988
Winston Cup Champion drives and owns the McDonald's-sponsored Ford Taurus.
Bill returned home to Dawsonville, Georgia to form his own team in 1995 after a three year stint with Junior Johnson. Elliott started racing short tracks in the
Sportsman division in 1970 in Georgia with his brothers Dan and Ernie. He made
his Winston Cup debut in 1976 with his first full NASCAR Winston Cup season
coming in 1983. Bill credits car owner Harry Melling for giving him his biggest
career break. The first visit to victory lane came in his 117th start in the
Winston Western 500 at Riverside, California. The first pole came in his 56th
attempt at the 1981 Rebel 500 at Darlington. Elliott's 40 NASCAR Winston Cup
victories tie him for thirteenth on the all-time list and his 48 poles rank him
seventh. Notably, his 1988 championship was the first for Ford since David
Pearson captured the cup in 1969. Bill Elliott is extremely popular with the fans. Voted the sport's "Most Popular Driver" a record eleven times. Other honors include the American Driver of the Year in 1985 and 1988 and the NMPA Driver of the Year in 1985. Possibly Elliott's greatest feat occurred right here in Talladega, Alabama. While qualifying for the 1987 Winston 500, he ripped off what is still today the fastest official time in a stock car, going 212.809 mph. That accomplishment, along with his domination of the pole position at Talladega Superspeedway during the mid-80's has earned Elliott a spot on the speedway's first commemorative Pole Day Ticket for the 1998 Winston 500. Bill enjoys snow skiing and flying. He owns several types of aircraft for both personal and business use. Bill currently resides in Blairsville, GA with his wife Cindy. He has three children, Starr, Brittany, and Chase. Congratulations Bill on adding another honor to a fabulous driving career. You are the "Fans Favorite" for the 1998 "Active Category" Inductee into the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame.
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