Michigan Speedway
Pepsi 400 Presented by Meijer

Bad Luck Returns, Elliott Finishes 38th at Michigan
August 20, 2000 - After two solid finishes in a row, Bill Elliott and the Drive-Thru Crew were paid a return visit from an old nemesis, bad luck.

The team brought the car Hot Rod Harry to Michigan, the car that finished third at Indy two weeks ago. Hot Rod Harry looked to be a top-ten car today but Elliott's misfortune caused an early exit in the Pepsi 400.

Elliott started the event 17th and worked his way into the top ten at lap 18. Elliott would run in the top 15 for most of the day and seemed primed to bring home his third straight top 15 finish.

On lap 123, Elliott's right-front tire would blow, sending the 94 Taurus into the outside wall. Elliott's day would be over early, causing Elliott's first DNF at Michigan Speedway since 1989. Elliott would be credited with a 38th place finish.

Elliott slipped to 16th in the Winston Cup point standings. Elliott's total of 2270 points are 1065 behind point leader Bobby Labonte.

Michigan Qualifying Quotes
"It's three-tenths quicker than I ran here in the spring, but still, I was hoping for better," said Elliott. "You know, it was just one of them deals that we give it our best shot, and we'll see where we end up."

Did You Know?
Bill Elliott won four straight races at Michigan in 1985 and 1986.