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Bill Elliott
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October 23, 2003 - Bill Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion and 16-time NMPA Most Popular Driver, has some of the best fans in motorsports and it is understandable how his legion of supporters are feeling with all of the retirement talk that is swirling about.
It is being reported by many different outlets that Elliott, a native of Dawsonville, Georgia, could make the announcement that he is calling it quits as soon as this weekend at his home track in Atlanta.
Today, I received and e-mail from Merlene Amoss who is a moderator for The Awesome Bill Fan Forum. Merlene brought to my attention a thread that was started on this particular forum that asked the simple question…
If you had the chance to talk to Bill about his retirement, what would you tell him? I know we all want him to be happy in his own decision, but if he asked you for advice, what would tell him?
Response to this question has been overwhelming and many Elliott fans produced heart-felt displays of emotion for their favorite driver. The following is a sampling of the many responses…
billfan9
If I ever got a chance to talk to Bill I would tell him how I became a fan of his and how much he means to me. I became a real fan of his in 2001. The first race I sat down and watched was the 2001 Daytona 500. May dad started cheering for him in the 80's and I can remember watching the fall 1992 Atlanta race where he lost the championship by only a few points, but won the race. I had known that he had not won in 7 years, but I was going to cheer for the guy from my state, Georgia.
During the 2001 Homestead race I about had a heart attack. I was down right mad before the last caution when Casey Atwood had a 5 second lead on Bill and I knew Bill wouldn't win unless he got a caution. I just kept pacing back and fourth not watching the TV. When Bill finally got around Casey, I was thrilled, yet still knew not to celebrate yet. When he won and did those burnouts, I couldn't help but smile. Seeing a 46 (48 now) Year old guy doing a burnout was just great. Although I'm glad he showed he'd won before after he won at Pocono and the Brickyard 400 and didn't do a burnout, he deserved one at Homestead.
I would love to talk to him about the early days when he started and worked on the car. Ask him about how much NASCAR has changed since he started and now. I would tell him how much me means to me and to all his fans. What ever decisions he makes, I will support them.
FOREVER BILL9
I would tell him to do what his heart tells him to & then I would tell him all the memories he has brought me through the years, then I would tell him that no matter what his fans, or at least this fan will stand behind his decision. I would tell him to ask himself if he really enjoyed racing now or whether it has actually become more of a job. If racing is like a job, then it is time to quit, but if it is still fun, I would keep racing. Then I would tell him that he is the best driver ever! He will always be, no matter what is said, the most popular driver ever! He is my hero because of the way that he conducts himself & he has taught me so many lessons about living life! I really will miss him when he does retire, but I will always have the many memories that he gave me! Thank you Bill for everything!!!
RedIntrepid9
I think it would be cool to be able to hang out with Bill for a day. Talk about racin'. I mean REAL racin', and not so much how they do it today. I'd like to have Bill show and tell me about his old cars and stuff, and I'd like to be able to go to the shop where he keeps his dirt car and hear him tell me about all that. Then I'd show him a picture of the 1987 T-Bird I bought because of him, and I'd tell him how I switched to Ford because of him, even though my daddy raised me to be a Chevrolet man! I'd like to listen to him tell about his many experiences, hearing about them from his own point of view. When it finally came time for me to talk, I'd like to thank him for all the enjoyment he has given me over these last 20+ years. I'd also thank him for being the kind of man he is, on and especially off the track. I'd ask him about coming to my church to give his testimony (I'd love to hear it). I'd tell him how I stood and stared in awe at his 212.809 car in the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. We'd reminisce about all the fond memories I have of watching him race. His first win at Riverside, the million dollar win at Darlington (remember when Cale's power steering pump blew up and smoked Bill?), his 1988 win at Bristol and how I had to sit on the gravel-covered bank in turn 4 to watch it in person (I'm so glad he didn't let stupid Geoff Bodine get away with spinning him out that day), about how I wish he had spun Dale Earnhardt in the '87 Winston (no more "Pass In The Grass" crap) but how I respect him for not doing it, about the four wins in a row in 1992 (the possum wins) in Junior Johnson's car, the win at Talladega after being two laps down and making it all up under green, and about how I "had something in my eye" after the race that day when he finally made it back to Victory Lane in Homestead, and then again in Pocono, and at Indy. I'm sure if I set my mind to it, I could remember other occasions....the list would be a long one. Then when we finally got around to talking about his retirement, I'd tell him it should be his and his family's decision, but that there are a lot of his fans that would like to see him race (and WIN) one more time (myself included), so I would like to see that happen. If it can't, I will be disappointed, but not very much. Bill has given me so much over the years, he owes me nothing. If I ever do actually get the chance to meet Bill, I just want to shake his hand and tell him one thing: Thank you!!
Elliotts9girl2001
If I had a chance to talk to Bill about retirement, it would in fact be hard for me. First off I would have to ask Bill to tell me about his career in Nascar, being an old-young-gun I missed many, many years of his career. I would love for him to give me a tour of his shop, see all the trophies and awards he has gotten throughout his career. I would love for him to focus on his family (there is allot of history there) being so Pro-Bill as I was called, I would absorb each and ever word he spoke, making sure not to miss a thing.
When it was my turn to talk to him, and tell him my feeling it would likely go like this (reaching deep down)
Bill,
You have become a part of my household in the past 11 years. There is never a day passes by that your name isn’t mentioned. I find myself wanting to read everything there is out there about you. I enjoy talking about you, and bragging about you. I wear my Elliott shirts, hats and jackets with pride. You have given me so much to cherish to last me a lifetime. You have brought me to my knees many times in tears of happiness, and tears of defeat. You have made a complete circle around me, and now it seems to be time for the ends to meet. I know in my heart I want you to run more races, and I also know it’s being selfish on my part. I feel you owe me nothing; I’m the one that owes you, for being the sportsman you have been, and still are. You will always be in my heart the Most Popular Driver in History, not by votes but by the person you were yesterday, the person you are today, and the person you will be tomorrow.
As far as hanging it up, I hope you give us just one more year, so we have time to heal our wounds. Give your fans the time to say farewell in their own special way. We know it is going to be hard to say good-bye to the man we have all grown to love and respect throughout the years. Let your fans celebrate your career by seeing you turn that last lap, and knowing it is the last lap. I will respect your decision, but I hope you will look through the eyes of your fans and see what pain they are feeling in their hearts. See that they are asking you for *Just One More Year* the thought of you just walking away this year has torn at allot of hearts that aren’t ready to say “Good-bye Awesome Bill”
Ruth4Intrepid9
All of you have said so many nice, tear-jerking things about Bill, all of which is so very true. I agree with all of you and that Bill needs to do what his heart leads him to do.
There will never be another "Awesome Bill" and rightfully so! I just thank him for all the great memories, some bittersweet, like the Daytona race he won in July of '91 right after he lost his mother and grandmother within a few days of each other. I also remember the morning he had to leave Dover a few years ago upon learning of his father's passing.
Then there was the race in Homestead in 2001 when I sat and cried like a baby when he finally won again after 7 years and of course, Indy last year, when Ray Evernham was fighting back the tears of victory! Yes, Bill, you finally got to "kiss those bricks"!
Thank you isn't enough and never will be. I just hate the thoughts of him retiring this year, selfish as it is but at least I will always have those precious memories to keep close at heart.
Last of all, I treasure the times I've got to actually be at his FAD meetings and him taking the time to sign the dash of my '93 Bill Elliott Thunderbird!
jj4bill
He said he would only go if he had no more to offer. He said he would only go if Ray had someone that could get the job done. There is NO ONE (IMO) that can do the job Bill is doing right now. If Ray were to hire a "young gun" to replace Bill, he would be right back to square one. Jeremy is coming along, but did not step up to the plate until he was racing for his job (IMO) I can see Bill not wanting to turn into a DW or RP type of driver, but he is so far from that right now.
Bill has given me so many years of enjoyment thru racing. Racing is a huge part of my life. As Merlene said, there isn't a day that goes by that Bill's name is not mentioned in my home. I am selfish, I will be the first to admit, but I don't want Bill to go yet.
Bill you have to do what is best for you and your family, I will understand whatever that choice is. I just hope that you look beyond the media or NASCAR or whatever it is that is making you think about the "R" word and look at Bill Elliott the race car driver and see who is looking back? Someone who is contending for wins? Someone who can drive the wheels off a car? Someone who has a great deal to offer the Ray and the #9 team?
Thank you Bill for all of the years I have enjoyed your company in my home on Sunday afternoons. You are a terrific role model to me and my children. I will always wear my #9 gear with pride. (if only I could still fit in that 9 Coors championship shirt? LOL) I hope that you choose to hang around a few more years, you CAN GET THE JOB DONE!
texas9fan
Mine would be pretty short. I would tell him thanks for giving his fans all the thrills on the track through the years. I would also tell him how much I appreciate the role model he has been for the sport. One of the very few who truly deserves to be looked up to for who he is as a person. I wouldn’t mention retirement but rather tell him that I hope he remains involved with NASCAR in some way when he is done driving. Lord knows the sport can use a good guy like Bill to help keep it all on track. Lastly I would say how much I was thrilled to hear about Chase getting into racing. It would be wonderful to see the Elliott name winning races in the future. The kid would have an instant huge fan base for sure!
elliott1fan
Bill, I have supported you since I first seen you race in 1986, and have watched you race ever since then, and supported no-one else but you. I enjoyed seeing you run each and every week, and wish to thank you for giving me some many years of pleasure. I know that the question of retirement has been shoved into you face too many times over the last few years, and way to much this year. I, personally, will have a sad day when you make the announcement that you are done racing, and that is selfish on my part, because I know in my heart, that when you are ready to end your career as a driver, having accomplished all that you have in your career, that I will be happy for you and wish to thank you for giving your time and risking yourself for us, your fans. I would really love to see you run at least one more year, so I have another chance to see you race in Las Vegas, and hopefully get the win here, which I know you can still do. Best of luck in future and I will stand by your decision as a faithful fan. You are the GREATEST and my life as a fanatic race fan will come to an end the day that my favorite and only driver decides to end his career. Thanks again for the memories, God bless you and your family.
mike4awesomebill
I just don't feel like the time is right for Bill to retire. However, my gut feeling and his gut feeling may be different. As to what I would say to him..? Heck, I've supported Bill for over 20 years and I will continue to support whatever decision he makes. HOWEVER-I would get down on my hands and knees and beg him to run a full season farewell tour next year..! I know Bill doesn't like the media attention and I don't blame him, but the farewell tour wouldn't be for the media, it would be for all of his fans!!
reddhott9
I don't want this to be long so here goes: It's weird because we talk like Bill is a personal friend- but he doesn't know us at all. However, he's been a part of my family for about 15 years. My kids grew up watching races on Sundays with dad screaming at the TV. My son who is now 16 said to me once: "Dad why are we such big Elliott fans?" I said: "Because he's someone like us that took his talent and his beliefs and made himself one of the greatest people in his business". My son looked at me again and said: "Yeah right dad- so what's the reason?" I said, "Cause he kicks ass".
We went through Sundays of doldrums... I can tell you of times that we had a bad race and I would just turn the tv off- who cares who wins? But then we saw the magic return. The passion is back!
But if anything I'd tell him that he has a story to tell sometime and when he does I'd like to help him... I do that for a living in film and video. But first, I'd tell him that "from my standpoint this deal ain't over" just yet. There are thousands of families just like mine that would ask for just one more chance to experience the magic one more time... "Bill Elliott- making a run to be the first Nextel Champion".
But then, something to think about would be just to ask him to come over and have a steak and walk about 20 yards behind the house and go fishing in the lake for a few hours with the kids. Of course as luck might have it he would catch the biggest bass and start bragging.... I'd say: "Hey Bill... whatever!"
Thanks for being so tenacious Bill.
Dameon2k
Mr. Elliott in a life that’s had many ups and downs you have given me many bright moments throughout your career. You are a big part in me having faith in things and you've been a great role model for me throughout the years. I've always had great faith in you and your ability since I started watching you race at the age of 5 in 1985. I have met you three times in my life at Bark-Houser Ford here in Danville, VA and see you give up time away from your family and in your life to take a few minutes to make me the happiest kid alive. Your sportsmanship is second to none in this sport along with your class. You are truly a gentleman, and if I can be half the man you have been in racing I know I'll be OK in life. May I say it has been an honor to watch you race for almost 20 years and I wouldn't give up that time I spent watching you race for nothing.
I know you have a decision weighing heavy on your heart right now and I know making a choice is not easy. I would never try to sway your decision one way or the other. You have given me something to smile about for 20 years and I could ask for nothing more. No matter what decision you make at the end of this year you will always be my driver and hold a special place in my heart and all the hearts of your fans.
In closing I just want to say congratulations on your great runs of late. I'm not surprised though cause I know your still one of the best out their on the track. I know your heart lies in racing and part of it probably always will. I know part of mine will always lie with us and the memories you have gave us the fans. Theirs not one of us standing here today that does not think you could run next year and win a championships or back to back championships if you were to run two years. Theirs something very special about you Awesome Bill and each and every one of us sees. Just know that whatever your decision is that you allowing us to be part of that something special in you will always mean the world to us.
dodgedif9
Dear Bill,
I'm not a letter writer and never have been, so please understand that this short note comes from the heart. One of my favorite singers, Roger Whittaker, had a huge hit years ago with a very simple song entitled "A Special Kind of Man". I think that says it all.
tenn9fan
Bill,
It has been wonderful being a fan of yours for all of these years. You have indirectly become a very important part of my life, almost like a family member. Watching you race is like someone visiting every Sunday. Some Sundays have been happier than others. But regardless, I always look forward to your next visit into my home. Due to this personal connection, not being able to see you race every week would be like having a death in the family. It will open up a void that would be almost impossible to fill. Although, I would continue my Sunday ritual of watching the races, it would not be the same if you were not there.
I know some people do not like long goodbyes. But, I believe I could handle it better if I knew ahead of time when some special to me would not be in my life any longer. It would allow me time to get ready for that separation. It would not make the final outcome any easier. But, it would allow me to enjoy the rest of the time we had together that much more. It would make me pay more attention to anything that I see, hear, or read about you. It might make the lows lower, but it would definitely make the highs a lot higher. And, that would outweigh any bad times.
Now, away from my personal feelings, I think about how it will affect the legions of fans you have. I know that most of your other fans feel the same way that I do. And, you leaving would give them the same feeling of emptiness as it would me. So, it is for them that I hope that you stay around for a while longer. And, when you do decide to hang it up, you would let them know ahead of time. It would give them time to maybe attend one more race to see you at, especially the ones that have never attended a race. Maybe they would drive a few more miles to see you in person. It would definitely allow them to time to adjust, and enjoy the rest of their time watching you.
Bill, I would support any decision that you make regarding your retirement. I may not like it personally, but I understand that your decision would be what is best for you and your family. You have given me and thousands of other people a lifetime of happy memories, and you owe us nothing. You have already paid us for any support that we gave you, many times over. Your success, competitive spirit and outstanding character are all the remuneration that we will ever need. So, I wish you the best for whatever path you decide to take now, or in the future.
