“Lot of his career was prior to me being born” - When Chase Elliott cherishes memories of dad Bill's racing glory

NASCAR superstar Chase Elliott once recalled his childhood memories, remembering the times he began attending his father Bill Elliott’s Cup races. Last year, in a tribute video by NASCAR, Elliott remembered his dad’s racing glory and looked back to the time when his father used to drive for Evernham Motorsports.

When Chase Elliott was born, his father had already become a two-time Daytona 500 winner, a three-time Southern 500 winner, and a 1988 NASCAR Cup Series champion. Elliott was born in 1995 and unfortunately missed out on the majority of his dad’s NASCAR career.

“This era of his career was one of the very few years that I was around to get to watch him race. You know, a lot of his career was prior to me being born,” Elliott said of his dad’s NASCAR Cup Series career.

“Those couple years he spent over at Ray’s place in early 2000 was really the time that I was just old enough to kind of start to learn what was going on and realize how cool racing was. And those were the years that made me want to do it. I have some memories of him winning at Pocono,” Elliott continued.

Bill Elliott, often referred to as 'Awesome Bill from Dawsonville', had spent nearly four decades in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was named ‘Most Popular Driver’ 16 times and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015. His career is marked by his discipline, speed, consistency, and popularity, making him one of the most beloved figures in the sport.

Bill Elliott’s legacy continues through his son, Chase Elliott, who drives full-time in the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports and won the maiden Cup championship in 2020, along with 19 wins.

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Chase Elliott recalls 'most special time’ from his father’s illustrative NASCAR career

Bill Elliott spent three full-time Cup seasons for Evernham Motorsports from 2001 to 2003. It was also a “most special time” for Chase Elliott, as he began watching his father’s races whenever he had the opportunity.

In a recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s “Happy Hour” podcast, reflecting on his favorite childhood memories from his father’s racing days, Elliott said:

“As a kid, I would say the most special time I had growing up was when dad went over to Rya’s there in what, 2000, 2001, 2002. I was just old enough to barely remember some of that, and I was just kind of old enough to start realizing how cool this was and obviously the state that NSACAR was in at that point in time was high”

Catch Chase Elliott in action during the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, May 19.