Beyond the Flag
Fansided

NASCAR Xfinity Series: Bill Elliott to drive for GMS Racing at Road America

By Asher Fair

BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 21: Bill Elliott drives his #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge during the practice for NASCAR Winston Cup Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway on March 21, 2003 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 21: Bill Elliott drives his #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge during the practice for NASCAR Winston Cup Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway on March 21, 2003 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Bill Elliott has not driven in a race in any NASCAR series since the 2012 season, but he is set to return to the Xfinity Series at Road America.

The most recent NASCAR race in which 1988 NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Elliott has driven is the 2012 Coke Zero 400, the annual summer Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

The most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race in which the and two-time Daytona 500 champion has driven is the 2005 Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Both of these statements are set to change on Saturday, August 25, as Elliott, 62, is set to return to NASCAR in the Xfinity Series race at Road America.

More from Xfinity Series

Elliott is set to drive the #23 GMS Racing Chevrolet, the car that has been shared by a number of other drivers, including his son Chase, since the suspension of the former full-time driver of the car, Spencer Gallagher, following the Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway in late April, in the Johnsonville 180.

Elliott has never driven in a NASCAR race of any kind at the 14-turn. 4.048-mile (6.515-kilometer) Road America road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, so not only will he be returning to the cockpit of a stock car for the first time in several years, but he will be doing so in a race at a track where he has never competed before.

Here is what Elliott had to say about the opportunity to return to NASCAR as the driver of the #23 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series race at Road America later this month, according to ESPN.

"“When this opportunity came up from Mike (Beam), I had to jump on it. Chase (Elliott) has ran a handful of races for the team so I figured I would give it a shot at Road America. Beam and I have worked together in the past so it will be exciting to get back behind the wheel and bring back some old memories.”"

Here is what GMS Racing president Mike Beam had to say about Elliott joining the team for the Johnsonville 180 later this month, according to ESPN.

"“We are thrilled to welcome Bill (Elliott) to the GMS Racing family. Bill has many years in NASCAR and it’s going to be great to watch him come back, especially in GMS equipment. Bill and I worked together back in the day and had a lot of success so hopefully we can pick up where we left off and create some more great memories.”"

Elliott’s Xfinity Series career, which is largely and rightfully overshadowed by his Hall of Fame Cup Series career, which included 44 victories, 175 top five finishes, 320 top 10 finishes and 55 pole positions in 828 starts, includes 43 starts.

In those 43 starts, Elliott, who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015, has secured one victory, eight top five finishes, 16 top 10 finishes and two pole positions. His lone Xfinity Series victory came in the 1993 Fay’s 150 at Watkins Glen International.

Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark

Be sure to tune in to NBC Sports Network at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 25 to watch Bill Elliott make his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the Johnsonville 180 at Road America.

Home/Xfinity Series