Elliott Grabs Phoenix Pole Despite Heaviness In Heart

While Bill Elliott’s heart and mind were more than 1,000 miles away Friday, his foot was hard on the gas pedal as he won the pole position for Sunday’s Dura-Lube 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Elliott expressed little joy over his record-breaking lap of 130.020 mph, instead talking about the sadness and concern he and the family-run team feel for nephew Casey Elliott, the 21-year-old son of older brother Ernie Elliott, the team’s engine builder.

Casey, who makes his home in Dawsonville, Ga., just down the road from the Elliott-Hardy Racing team’s shop, is in a Houston hospital with doctors trying to determine what can be done about a tumor in his head.

The youngster’s own racing career was just starting to take off when it was determined about 18 months ago that he had a tumor in his leg. Casey underwent surgery at that time to replace one of his knees.

“He’s going through a tough time and all our thoughts and prayers are with him, more so than here today,” Elliott said shortly after winning his second pole of the season and 48th of his Winston Cup career.

“Ernie had to fly back from Rockingham last week after Casey got real sick,” he said. “This makes it tough on us to come to the racetrack. It’s kind of an unknown and we all want to be there with him. This situation’s just not fair, but who ever said that life is fair?”

Elliott’s fast lap on the 1-mile oval broke the record of 129.833 set last year by Sterling Marlin, and it frankly surprised Elliott.

“I tell you what, of all the things that could have happened in qualifying, this wasn’t what I expected. But for whatever reason, everything hooked up,” the Ford Thunderbird driver said.

Spokane’s Chad Little did not qualify.