The Winston
Lowe's Motor Speedway

Elliott Wins Two of Three at the Winston
May 20, 2000 - 'Well, two-outta-three ain't bad,' is how the old saying goes and it sums up Bill Elliott's efforts in NASCAR's All-Star event, The Winston.

"All in all it was excellent," said Elliott. "To come out with a race car that is still intact and me intact and win two of the legs and the pole, we did good."

Elliott won the first two 30-lap segments of The Winston but faded in the final 10-lap segment after a 'love tap' from Joe Nemechek and finished eighth.

Elliott and the Drive-Thru Crew secured the pole position for The Winston on Friday evening, breaking the track record and landing a $50,000 check to boot.

"I'm really impressed," said Elliott after capturing the pole. "I look around in the garage and if I had to pick a crew, I'd pick them to be on my team and I'm glad they are because they've really worked hard. They've put a lot of dedication into what we're doing week-in and week-out.

Once The Winston got underway on Saturday night, the 94 Ford was a rocket ship. Elliott jumped out to an early lead and looked very strong in the first segment. Elliott did not receive a challenge for the lead until the restart on lap 25, when he battled door-to-door with Mark Martin, before pulling away to win by .322 seconds. The segment one win was worth another $50,000.

NASCAR would then give the cars ten minutes to make adjustments before segment two. Elliott and the crew didn't make any changes on the stout McDonald's Ford. After a red ball popped out of the hopper during the break, the top 12 cars would be inverted to start the second segment, regulating Elliott to the 12th starting spot.

Elliott would loose a spot on the restart and fall back to 14th by lap five of segment two. Then, on lap eight, Jeff Gordon would spin and collect a handfull of cars. Elliott was able to avoid the wreck and make a pit stop under the yellow flag. The crew would make no adjustments and change four tires, getting Elliott back out in eighth position.

Elliott would work his way back into the top five by lap 14. The caution flag would again fly on lap 24, this time the Drive-Thru Crew would place Elliott in the lead with a fast pit stop. Elliott would not give up that lead, despite a brief battle with Dale Jarrett, to win by .197 seconds. Segment two netted another check for $50,000.

Elliott did not make a pit stop before the final 10-lap segment and was passed by Jarrett on lap number one. Then, Joe Nemechek got into the back of the 94 Taurus, causing Elliott to get out of the throttle and loose several spots. Elliott was sixth when the caution flag flew on lap two.

This time Elliott decided to pit for four fresh tires.

"With that last set I didn't feel good about it and I was so far back that I wasn't gonna do any good anyway, so we just decided to put four on it and gamble," said Elliott.

Elliott would restart the event 11th and would make it up to eighth at the drop of the checkered flag.

"I mean, you weren't gonna beat that 8 car. Golly, he was tough," said Elliott. "Even at the best I don't think I could have beat him."

"I'm pretty happy. We'll see what happens next week."

Elliott Grabs Winston Pole!!!
Bill Elliott will start NASCAR's All-Star race from the pole position on Saturday night. Elliott, with the help of the Drive-Thru Crew, completed three laps and a two-tire pit stop in one minute, 45.932 seconds, at an average speed of 152.928 mph, shattering the track record.

"It's the guys. They have really worked hard and put a lot of effort in to try and make sure the pit stop was just perfect and they cut a perfect pit stop. I felt like I got in OK and got out OK. I maybe could have gained or lost a little bit more there, but you never know. Still, it's all the guys. I'm really impressed," said Elliott.
Qualifying Quotes and Press Conference