It might not have been big enough to get Gordon Pirkle to sound the siren at the Dawsonville [GA] Pool Room, as he has for all of Bill Elliott’s poles and victories, but the folks from Dawsonville pulled off a victory of sorts in qualifying for the Allstate 400. Mike Skinner, driving a #37 Dodge prepared in the Elliott shops in Dawsonville, sped to the 17th starting spot in Saturday’s time trials. His R and J Racing entry was built by Evernham Motorsports. The engine was prepared by Elliott’s brother Ernie, who also played a key role in the setup of the car, according to John Carter of Toccoa, GA one of the owners of the team. “I can’t tell you how much Ernie Elliott has helped us,” Carter said. And Bill Elliott, whose #00 Burger King Chevy was 26th fastest, seemed as happy as Carter to see his old friends and crew members like Jim Barfield and Russ Bales put a car in the 400, where seven went home. “I’m really proud for those guys,” Elliott said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-6-2006)
