On the finish of a scheduled media availability on Saturday at Watkins Glen, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott interjected because the press convention was being wrapped up, and requested a while to discuss the NASCAR Corridor of Fame voting that’s set to happen later this month. It wasn’t in response to a query, however a deliberate assertion he needed to make in entrance of the assembled media.
Elliott voiced his help for his uncle, Ernie Elliott, to affix the Corridor in 2027, providing a heartfelt plea for why he must be amongst these chosen for the 2027 class. NASCAR’s Most Well-liked Driver additionally urged followers to rally behind the previous engine builder and crew chief, and made positive the followers knew how they may vote as effectively (HERE).
Elliott’s father Invoice already entered the NASCAR Corridor of Fame in 2025, however Ernie stays among the many pool of nominees but to be chosen.
Chase’s speech on behalf of Ernie Elliott
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Photograph by: James Gilbert / Getty Pictures
“I do know there’s numerous very deserving names which can be on the poll and nominated,” started Elliott on the finish of his press convention. The soft-spoken driver is not one to present such an impassioned speech, nevertheless it was clear this subject means so much to him.
“I do know a few of you guys within the room are most likely on the panel and vote and all these issues. I am undecided if numerous the followers know this, however additionally they account for a vote, as effectively, from a fan vote on-line. I believe it is vital for individuals to speak about that. I’d be remiss to not discuss my Uncle Ernie who was nominated and on the poll.
“I do not discuss stuff like this so much, however you do not have to dig very far into the Elliott racing story to acknowledge, one, how a lot of a household effort it was, how a lot of a workforce effort it was. I do not suppose you’ll discover anyone within the group that will let you know the story has the identical ending immediately all through the course of the 80s, even main into my profession, that appears the identical with out Uncle Ernie and what he meant to all of us. I believe from my perspective, he means so much to me personally. He is meant so much to my profession. He was constructing engines for our race vehicles, racing tremendous late mannequin races and all these issues. So I am simply very grateful for him. I am biased, however I needed to a minimum of simply categorical how a lot of an vital position he had on my dad’s profession. The issues and the success that they’d, I do not suppose it will have been the identical with out him, and I do not know that everyone completely understands that. I get to have numerous actually cool conversations with him on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays all through the week about issues he was doing to the ‘85 Winston Million engine or the ‘87 Daytona 500 engine that you simply guys won’t ever hear. And I take these issues as a right, however I believe they’d blow your thoughts. The ingenuity and the issues that he dropped at the desk for them was actually second to none.
“And once more, there are numerous very, very deserving names on the record that can get in and may get in, whether or not it’s this yr or one other yr down the street. However actually I really feel that he is without doubt one of the very deserving names on the record and one that does not get talked about sufficient for the credit score that he deserves. Yeah, it meant so much to me. I recognize his help all through the years and wishing him the most effective on that.”
A historic profession
Ernie Elliott and Invoice Elliott
Photograph by: Getty Pictures
As Chase touched on, Ernie Elliott was integral to the success of the Elliott household on the monitor. He labored alongside Invoice as his crew chief for 279 races, gathering 39 poles and 33 race wins. Collectively, they earned two victories in each the Daytona 500 (1985, 1987) and Southern 500 (1985, 1988), received the primary version of the Winston Million in 1985, and naturally, the 1988 NASCAR Cup Sequence title.
He earned much more success as an engine builder, and was named Engine Builder of the Decade for the Nineteen Eighties. Invoice’s historic 212.809mph lap at Talladega in 1987 wouldn’t have been potential with out his brother’s work behind the scenes.
And as Chase himself identified, Ernie additionally helped him in his early years as he obtained began along with his racing profession.
When is the vote and who’re the nominees?
Voting for the 2027 NASCAR Corridor of Fame class takes place on Tuesday, Might nineteenth.
The NASCAR Corridor of Fame Voting Panel will meet to resolve which three names from the record of nominees will enter the NASCAR Corridor subsequent yr, in addition to the recipient of the coveted Landmark Award for Excellent Contributions to NASCAR.
Two people will get in as a part of the Trendy Poll, and a 3rd by way of the Pioneer Poll.
That is who Ernie is up in opposition to within the Trendy Period Poll: Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Ray Elder, Neil Bonnett, Jeff Burton, Jack Sprague, Tim Brewer, Randy Dorton, and Randy LaJoie.
The Pioneer Poll nominees embody: Ray Fox, Harry Hyde, Banjo Matthews, Herb Nab, and Larry Phillips.
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