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New Car, New Era for Elliott at Daytona DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bill Elliott enters a new phase in his career at one of his favorite tracks Daytona International Speedway. Beginning with the Feb. 18, 2001 Daytona 500, Elliott, for the first time in his career, won't be driving a Ford product, but instead a Dodge Intrepid. After six years, Elliott will step down as an owner at season's end and drive for Ray Evernham, who is spearheading Dodge's return to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Evernham, who led Jeff Gordon to three NASCAR Winston Cup Series titles and two Daytona 500 victories, is delighted to have the services of Elliott. "He's the perfect guy to be the cornerstone of our new team," said Evernham, who will also field a Dodge Intrepid for Casey Atwood. "First and foremost, he's a great driver. He brings a level of experience and winning from the driver's side of things that not too many people in racing have." "In addition to being a winner, Bill is the complete package you want in a driver. He's an excellent chassis setup guy. He's very much into making the car handle, and that's something I'm into as well." Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, has experienced a tremendous amount of success at Daytona. He has 11 victories at the "World Center of Racing" two Daytona 500s, two Pepsi 400s, four Gatorade 125's, one Bud Shootout, one IROC and one Rolex 24 at Daytona. Elliott has also turned the fastest lap at the historic 2.5-mile tri-oval "210.364 mph" during Daytona 500 qualifying in 1987. "Daytona -- I've been coming here a long time," said Elliott, who will turn 44 in October. "It's hard to believe I've been here as many times as I have and I've seen a lot of different stuff."
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