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Three
decades of racing
During the 2005 and 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup seasons, Bill Elliott raced a reduced driving schedule as he prepared to retire. During this new stage in his career, Elliott's first thoughts are for his fans, answering their disappointment by reflecting, "The way I look at it, there's got to be a time when you've got to step back.. We don't live forever. We don't drive forever. We don't do a lot of things forever. It would be nice to do it, but I feel like this is an opportunity for the fans where I can still run some events." During his less rigorous racing schedule, he has devoted more time to showing appreciation for his devoted supporters, scheduling various fan events.
During his less rigorous racing schedule Elliott is able to devote more time to showing appreciation for his devoted supporters as well as spending time with his family. In 2006, Elliott's book, "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville" was published by Harper Entertainment, and he currently spends a great deal of time focusing on the up-and-coming racing careers of his son Chase and his nephew Trey Poole.
Since 1976, Elliott has participated in close to 750 races, achieved 44 wins, collected 55 career poles and amassed winnings of some $73 million. With all of his incredible success, he still remains humble, stating, "We are all motivated by certain things. Of course, winning is one of them, but for me, the fans have always been the biggest motivational factor. I've said this over and over-our fans are the backbone of this sport and they are the reason we are able to do what we do."
Bill Elliott's devotion to both his sport and his supporters equals his talent, making him a legend with both his team and his fans.
Other Accomplishments and Awards:
• One of only seven drivers to top $20 million in career winnings
•
ESPN Speedweek's Fan Poll’s "Driver of the Decade" for the 1980s
•
Two-time winner: American "Driver of the Year" Award
• Two-time winner: Georgia Professional Athlete of the Year
• 1998 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
• Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers of All Time in 1998
•
Received the "Race Car Driving Legend Award" from the March of Dimes
• Four-time winner: American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association
(AARWBA)
All-America Team
• Jerry Titus Memorial Award: 1985
• National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year:
1985, 1986, 1987,
1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• Auto Racing Digest Driver of the Year: 1985.
• North Carolina Chapter of United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian of the Year:
1987.
McDonald's All-Star Race Team: 1991, 1992, 1993.
• Three-time winner: True Value Man of the Year
• Spirit of Ford Award: 2000
• Motorsports Hall of Fame: 2007
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