Chase Elliott has explained why his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, continues to compete behind the wheel at the age of 70. Speaking ahead of the NASCAR Chicagoland weekend, the Hendrick Motorsports driver reflected on Bill’s passion for racing as the veteran prepares to take part in the revived IROC event during IndyCar’s Freedom 250 weekend in Washington, D.C.
Asked what it means to see his father continue racing at 70, Chase Elliott admitted Bill’s friendship with IROC executive director Ray Evernham plays a major role. When asked the reason behind the return, he said:
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“I don’t know why. I think he really enjoys racing and honestly, I think for him, him and Ray are such good buddies and I think when Ray asked him to go do something, it’s really hard for him to say no, if you want the real honest answer. But he does enjoy driving. I don’t think in his mind it’s a super competitive thing. I think he just enjoys getting out there and making laps, and I do think he pushes himself for sure.”
Chase Elliott added that after spending decades racing professionally, it is only natural for Bill Elliott to remain competitive. However, he believes the NASCAR Hall of Famer is now more interested in enjoying time with friends and contributing to projects he believes in than chasing results.
“I think naturally probably don’t have a choice just from doing this all the years that he’s done it. But I think more than anything he just enjoys going with those guys and loves Ray and likes to help where he can and feels like he can lend a hand and contribute there and help out with what they’ve got going on. It sounds like a really cool thing in D.C., and that would be a really cool one I think to consider on our side of things one day, too.”
The special exhibition race will take place on August 22 and will feature several former champions competing in identical IROC Pontiac Firebirds. Bill Elliott will line up alongside Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti in the first IROC event held as part of the historic IndyCar weekend in the nation’s capital.
Ray Evernham explains why Bill Elliott remains a perfect fit for the revived IROC series
Ray Evernham, who serves as executive director of the revived IROC series and enjoyed tremendous success with Bill Elliott during their NASCAR careers together, believes the former Cup champion’s competitive spirit has never faded despite stepping away from full-time racing more than two decades ago.
Speaking about Elliott’s return in a statement, Evernham said the Hall of Famer continues to represent everything the series hopes to celebrate by bringing together legendary drivers in equal equipment.
“Bill may have stepped away from full-time NASCAR racing in 2003, but he has remained a constant figure in motorsports and his competitive drive hasn’t wavered. What a treat that fans will once again have the chance to see Awesome Bill strap in and put on a helmet alongside an absolutely incredible list of competitors.”
Evernham also praised Bill Elliott’s lasting influence on stock car racing, saying his legacy extends beyond race wins and championships. According to him, that connection to racing culture and his authenticity make him an ideal ambassador for the event.
Edited by Anurup Chakraborty
