NASCAR WCUP: Elliott Recieves Spirit of Ford Award
20 November 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ATLANTA: Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology,
presented Bill Elliott with the "Spirit of Ford Award" during a ceremony
at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier today. The Spirit of Ford Award is the
highest honor Ford Motor Company gives out in auto racing and it
recognizes those who have made a significant lifetime contribution to the
world of auto racing. Elliott is ended a 25-year NASCAR Winston Cup career
with Ford as he prepares to move over to Dodge next season.
DAN DAVIS, Director of Ford Racing Technology -- "Today marks the end of an era in NASCAR Winston Cup. After 25 years and 40 career victories, Bill Elliott will take to the track for what could be the final time in a Ford product. As you all know, back in March at this same track, it was announced that Bill would be going to the competition next year. It was a sad day for many of us at Ford and for many of the Ford fans who have followed Bill throughout his career. In the time leading up to that decision, throughout all of our conversations and attempts to keep Bill in the Ford family, and throughout this season, Bill has shown tremendous professionalism and respect for our relationship. So, in recognition of his incredible career and in recognition of how he put Ford back on the map in NASCAR racing and in recognition of 25 years as one of NASCAR's greatest drivers, it's my sincere pleasure on behalf of Ford Motor Company to award Bill Elliott with the highest honor in our motorsports program -- the Spirit of Ford Award for a lifetime contribution to the sport of auto racing. Bill is only the 17th recipient of this award and joins such standout recipients as Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Bob Glidden and the Wood Brothers. The success of Bill and his brother, the magical season of 1985 and the championship year of 1988 proved to the people in the NASCAR garage that Ford was back. Without the Elliotts our program, with now more than 20 teams and another manufacturer's championship this year, would not be where it is today. We are so grateful for his efforts on the track and for the way he has represented Ford Motor Company all these years. Bill, next year we know you're going to be driving that red car, but we know deep inside you've got a lot of blue inside of you and we really appreciate that."
BILL ELLIOTT --94-- McDonald's Taurus -- "I really didn't know how I was gonna go into this weekend. I knew there were gonna be a lot of emotions both good and bad from my standpoint and this is what made my decision so hard. I struggled with this decision a lot of nights trying to decide which way to go and what's the best way to lead not only Bill Elliott, but the guys on the race team and everything else. It was a very hard decision for me because these guys have been so respectful of my decision and I have the utmost respect for all the people at Ford Motor Company. They've been absolutely fantastic throughout the years. We've never had a problem throughout all my years running a Ford and racing for you guys and I think that says a lot for our relationship. I still want to continue to be friends with you guys and be able to come knock on the door and do whatever I need to do because you have been a large part of my life and my family's life. I wish my mother and dad were here today to see this because daddy was the one that always instilled this in us throughout the years. He hated the GM side of things, so that was one thing I knew I could never do, but maybe the Dodge won't be so bad (laughing). Anyway, daddy was one that we would go to race tracks around the local area and these guys would be running all these GM products and he'd show up with the only Ford there. That's gone through me for a lot of years and, like I said, I've got the utmost respect for all the people at Ford Motor Company. I've got a lot of friends there and I continue to want to be friends and, by golly, we'll get through this. I appreciate everything you all have done throughout the years, family and all."
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