Bill Elliott Celebrates Pole Position for the Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR legend Bill Elliott added another milestone to his storied career, securing pole position for the Daytona 500. The Hall of Famer, known for his dominance on superspeedways, posted the fastest qualifying lap at Daytona International Speedway, showcasing his enduring skill behind the wheel.
Elliott’s qualifying run was a reminder of his speed and precision, reminiscent of his prime years when he set track records and dominated restrictor-plate racing. His No. 9 car roared around the 2.5-mile oval, clocking the fastest time of the session and earning him the top starting spot for the “Great American Race.”
After stepping out of his car, Elliott was greeted with cheers from the crowd and congratulations from his team. “It feels great to be back up front,” Elliott said. “Daytona has always been special to me, and to sit on the pole again is an incredible feeling. My team gave me a fast car, and we knew we had a shot at this.”
Elliott’s history at Daytona is legendary. A two-time Daytona 500 pole winner in the 1980s, he set the all-time fastest qualifying lap at the track in 1987 at an astonishing 210.364 mph—an era before restrictor plates slowed the cars. This latest pole position adds to his legacy, proving that his name remains synonymous with speed at Daytona.
With the front-row starting spot secured, Elliott and his team now shift their focus to race day. While qualifying speed is important, the real challenge will come on Sunday when he battles a competitive field for a chance to add another Daytona 500 victory to his résumé.
