On the finish of a scheduled media availability on Saturday at Watkins Glen, driver interjected because the press convention was being wrapped up, and requested a while to discuss the 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 needs to be amongst these chosen for the 2027 class. NASCAR’s Most Fashionable Driver additionally urged followers to rally behind the previous engine builder and crew chief, and made certain the followers knew how they may vote as effectively ().
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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 ElliottChase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
“I do know there’s a variety of very deserving names which might be on the poll and nominated,” started Elliott on the finish of his press convention. The soft-spoken driver is not one to provide such an impassioned speech, nevertheless it was clear this matter means rather a lot to him.
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“I do know a few of you guys within the room are in all probability on the panel and vote and all these issues. I am unsure if a variety of the followers know this, however additionally they account for a vote, as effectively, from a fan vote on-line. I believe it is necessary for folks to speak about that. I might be remiss to not speak about my Uncle Ernie who was nominated and on the poll.
“I do not speak about stuff like this rather a lot, 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 crew effort it was. I do not assume you’d discover anyone within the group that might let you know the story has the identical ending right this moment 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 rather a lot to me personally. He is meant rather a lot 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 no less than simply categorical how a lot of an necessary position he had on my dad’s profession. The issues and the success that that they had, I do not assume it could have been the identical with out him, and I do not know that everyone completely understands that. I get to have a variety of 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 might blow your thoughts. The ingenuity and the issues that he delivered to the desk for them was actually second to none.
“And once more, there are a variety of very, very deserving names on the listing that can get in and may get in, whether or not or not it’s this yr or one other yr down the highway. However definitely I really feel that he is among the very deserving names on the listing and one that does not get talked about sufficient for the credit score that he deserves. Yeah, it meant rather a lot to me. I respect his help all through the years and wishing him the most effective on that.”
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A historic careerErnie Elliott and Invoice Elliott
Ernie Elliott and Invoice Elliott
As Chase touched on, Ernie Elliott was integral to the success of the Elliott household on the observe. 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 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.
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And as Chase himself identified, Ernie additionally helped him in his early years as he acquired began together 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, Could nineteenth.
The NASCAR Corridor of Fame Voting Panel will meet to determine which three names from the listing of nominees will enter the NASCAR Corridor subsequent yr, in addition to the recipient of the coveted Landmark Award for Excellent Contributions to NASCAR.
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Two people will get in as a part of the Trendy Poll, and a 3rd through the Pioneer Poll.
That is who Ernie is up in opposition to within the Trendy Period Poll: , , 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.
Images from Watkins Glen – SaturdayCarson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
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Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
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Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
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AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing
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Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
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Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing
Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing
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Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
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Austin Cindric, Group Penske
Austin Cindric, Group Penske
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
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Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
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Ricky Stenhouse Jr., HYAK Motorsports
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., HYAK Motorsports
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Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Todd Gilliland, Entrance Row Motorsports
Todd Gilliland, Entrance Row Motorsports
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Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
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Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing
Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing
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Chris Buescher, RFK Racing
Chris Buescher, RFK Racing
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Noah Gragson, Entrance Row Motorsports
Noah Gragson, Entrance Row Motorsports
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
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Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
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Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
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Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing; Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing; Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
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Ryan Blaney, Group Penske
Ryan Blaney, Group Penske
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Ryan Preece, RFK Racing
Ryan Preece, RFK Racing
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing; Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing; Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
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Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Austin Cindric, Group Penske
Austin Cindric, Group Penske
Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
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