David Celebrates Dad’s 40^th Anniversary with Heat Win and Second Place in Feature

               and Gary Takes home the win to cap off the great night of racing

At two o’clock last Saturday afternoon, the David Elliott Racing Team huddled in the shop, watching the hail fall the trees blow sideways. There was little hope of racing at Flamboro Speedway and celebrating Gary Elliott’s 40^th anniversary of racing that night.

Amazingly, the skies quickly cleared and the team headed over to the track, anxious to build on their 2^nd place finish in their last race.

After the first practice session, David complained that the car had a bad push in the middle of the corner and coming off the turns. The crew quickly diagnosed a bent calliper bracket on the right rear that was causing the wheel to bind.

“We didn’t have the parts to replace the bent bracket, so we had to try to repair the part as best we could and hoped for the best,” said David.

The Pennzoil Chevrolet started its heat race on the outside of the front row. David got a great start and passed polesitter Paul Howse on the outside by the time the field got to the backstretch.

Unfortunately, the brake problem flared up again, causing David to slow slightly coming off the turns. This led to some minor contact between the #37 and #8 cars, but David was able to hold off Howse to win the heat. David won this heat wearing one of his Dad's old fire suits

since his was on its way to the track, it seems in Heinsite  it was a mistake to take the winning suit of for the feature.

David and Gary Elliott shared the second row for the start of the 40-lap feature race. Within the first few laps, both drivers had passed the front-row cars and David led Gary at the front of the pack. Gary pressured David, who was again battling brake issues, but couldn’t get past the #37 for the first 15 laps.

Then, the Pennzoil Chevrolet’s brakes suddenly locked up entering turn 3 and the car slid high around the corner. David did an amazing job by not spinning out, however, the slip allowed his father’s #36 to get to the inside and make the pass for the lead.

Gary slowly pulled away from David throughout the rest of the race, but the #37 was able to hold off the #8 of Paul Howse for second.

“I’m disappointed we couldn’t hold on for the win,” said David. “But if we couldn’t take the checkered flag, then I’m glad dad got it…especially since he was celebrating his 40^th anniversary of racing.”

The race capped a great night and the second time this year both Gary and David finished 1-2

but the first time David won. Gary was off by one spot finishing second in his heat to Jason Shaw, from making it a perfect night again for Elliott Racing Team.

Gary also ran the Canadian Vintage Modified after winning the Late Model Feature and took

home a 7th place finish in a poor handling car. What a way to Cap off 40 years of racing.

The team will be working hard this week, replacing the damaged brake parts and preparing to race at Sauble Speedway this coming Sunday. See you at the beach!