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Elliott Leads Veteran Drivers in Battle with Young Guns There has been a lot of talk about this year's rookie crop, and rightfully so, but the veterans, such as Bill Elliott, have served notice in these first three weeks that they're not going to disappear without a fight. In looking at the starting grid for tomorrow's CarsDirect.com 400, this new "rivalry" is even more apparent. Veteran Ricky Rudd will start from the pole and is one of three drivers in the top six who is 40 years old or better. Scott Pruett and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. lead the newcomers as they start second and third, respectively. Bill Elliott, 44, got his season off to a good start by winning one of the Gatorade Twin 125 qualifying races during Daytona Speedweeks and then posting a third-place finish in the Daytona 500. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR RESURGENCE THIS YEAR? "I feel like the next critical step is gonna be the next two or three races and then get us some cars built and then get a toehold on what we're gonna do the rest of the season. I feel like I'm gonna have a good year, I've just gotta get a few things worked out and kind of work through that part of it. I believe we'll be OK." LAST YEAR SOME PEOPLE STARTED TALKING ABOUT MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET OUT? "Well, as long as I feel like I'm pretty competitive. I think last year a lot of races I ran good, I didn't have the finishes to reflect where I was at, I had a good car at several places. I think coming to Daytona this year kind of redeemed a lot of things and put a lot of drive back in me. Last week, we had just a few fluke things happen that hurt us in the race, but, all in all, I feel like we've got a good group of guys that have really worked hard. They've worked hard on their effort coming for this weekend and this is a good race track for us." WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THE DRIVERS 40 AND OLDER HAVE GOTTEN OFF TO SUCH GOOD STARTS? "I think the young guys that come in, yeah, they're making it harder for the older guys but I think the older guys are re-learning what they're doing. Just like Dale Jarrett winning the championship last year at his age, which, he's a little bit younger than me but when I look at the deal I don't feel that old. I'm gonna continue to work hard doing it as long as I can and as long as I enjoy doing it." AFTER WINNING THE WINSTON MILLION, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO FINALLY HAVE A CRACK AT THIS NO BULL 5 BONUS? "This is the first time that they've had this program that I've qualified for it. If they would have had this program in '97, I would have been eligible for it for a number of races and I had an opportunity to win a race or two. It's a great place, it's a great race track, it's probably one of my better race tracks I run as far as the short tracks and stuff and I just feel like it's a great opportunity for me and the whole team."
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