Before Dawsonville, Ga., native Bill Elliott started his 57th Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, he was honored in a special presentation and proclamation at driver introductions by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue. “He’s been our hometown favorite for 30 years,” Perdue said during the announcement. “He’s our own Bill Elliott.” Elliott’s 57th career start at Atlanta Motor Speedway didn’t end the way he was hoping for. Elliott’s car was battling engine problems and had to retire from the Bass Pro Shops 500 after completing only 146 laps. “It just got worse and worse, and we ended up having to quit,” said Elliott. “We were hoping for a caution to get it straightened out, but it never worked out.”(AMS Pit Notes)(10-30-2006)
