Bill Elliott - Richmond Preview

RICHMOND TEST AND KEYS TO WINNING

The key to getting around Richmond is the same as at any track. Track
position is everything. We saw that last week. You also have to stay out of
trouble.  We tested there and had a pretty good test so we're looking for a
good run.  Richmond was one of the places last year where we felt like we
could have been better, that's why we decided to test. We'll just have to
see. There are so many things that you need to do to be good: a good race
car, good pit stops and good track position are the most obvious.

PERFORMANCE TO DATE

This team has really been coming together. We've been fairly consistent so
far this season and that's what we really are trying to improve on from last
season.  The guys have been working hard and it shows. We've just got to
keep getting the finishes we've been getting and we'll be where we want to
be - in the top 10.

MIKE FORD - RACE CALL

Bill and I talked about our options and staying out was really the only
choice we could make if we wanted to be in contention. We really didn't want
to see that last caution because we knew we could make it on gas and some of
the other guys couldn't, but track position was everything. We made the call
to stay out and that put us in the lead and we were able to get a top five
finish.

RACE NOTES

*	Evernham Motorsports spent time in the Lockheed wind tunnel in
Georgia this week.  

*	The No. 9 Dodge Squad tested last Tuesday and Wednesday, April
23-24, at Richmond.  The team will also test at Charlotte this Monday and
Tuesday, May 6-7.


STATS & FACTS

*	This will be Elliott's 41st start at Richmond Int'l Raceway.  He has
one win, three poles, eight top-fives and 15 top-10s at the track.  Elliott
is tied for most Bud Poles (three) among active drivers at Richmond.
Elliott's win at Richmond was earned from his second pole position at the
track in the spring race of 1992.  He took his most recent pole in the fall
race of 1997.

*	If Elliott finishes in the top 10 this weekend, it will mark his
299th top-10 finish in 26 years of racing.  This week's start at Richmond
will mark career number 670 for Elliott.

*	In last year's race at Richmond, Elliott spent the evening picking
his way through the field after starting 37th.  The No. 9 Dodge Dealers
Intrepid R/T was running in the top 15 past the midway point of the race
until an incident on lap 362.  Elliott was forced to come in for repairs to
the right front, but the No. 9 crew worked quickly to repair the damage,
keeping the car on the lead lap - finishing 17th.  In the fall race of '01
Elliott was caught up in a mid-race multi-car accident that heavily damaged
his car.  He came in and the No. 9 crew went to work.   Unfortunately, his
problems were compounded when a front brake blower caught on fire, damaging
some components of the electrical system and ending his day in 37th place.

*	In last week's race at California, Elliott started the day in 39th
place after his fender and tire came into contact during his qualifying run.
Within 10 laps of Sunday's race, Elliott had advanced 10 spots. He continued
his assault on the field, working his way into the top 10. However, Elliott
reported trouble with his right rear tire and was forced to pit after a
caution midway through the race. He went a lap down, but got it back after a
caution on lap 156. The Dodge Squad elected to stay out to get the lap back
and restarted in 12th. Elliott was the fastest car on the track during the
green flag run. He began making up ground and was driving in the seventh
spot when the day's final caution forced the Dodge Squad to make a strategic
call for track position with less than 20 laps left in the race. By staying
out as the leaders pitted, Elliott moved to the front and was able to battle
for a fourth place finish.

*	Elliott's fourth place finish at California was his first top five
and his best finish of the season. He led three laps, gaining a spot and
making up valuable ground in the Winston Cup points race. He is currently
tied for 11th place, and trails 10th place by only 36 points. Last week's
finish was Elliott's fourth top 10 of the season. He also received the race
award for gaining the most spots, advancing from 39th to fourth.

*	Elliott's pole position this year at Texas was his second of the
year (Atlanta), and third in the span of 10 races - dating back to the
November 11 race at Homestead/Miami last year.  It was Elliott's 53rd career
Bud Pole in 668 Winston Cup races, placing him third behind David Pearson
(57) and Darrell Waltrip (59) in Modern-era Winston Cup career poles
(Elliott ranks first among active drivers).