Bill Elliott drove three races for R&J Racing in 2006. Credit: Autostock

Elliott to drive R&J's No. 37 Dodge at Daytona 500

Bill Elliott will be back behind the wheel of Georgia-based R&J Racing's No. 37 Dodge in February when he will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500, the team's Web site reported.

	Bill Elliott finished 16th at Kansas in R&J Racing's throwback paint scheme. Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images
	HOMETOWN HERO Co-owner John Carter wants his race team to be an all-Georgia outfit. He'd like nothing more than Bill Elliott to be his driver.  •   Complete story, click here Awesome BillBill Elliott has a unique perspective on NASCAR's growth Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

The team's site only says it will "be at the Daytona 500 in February." Bud Pole Qualifying for the Daytona 500 will be held Feb. 11 to determine the top two positions. The rest of the grid will be determined by the Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying races on Feb. 15. Elliott does have a past champion's provisional if he fails to qualify and is the most recent champion to miss. He is also eligible to run the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 10.

Elliott, a two-time Daytona 500 winner and 1988 champion, made 10 starts in 2006, three of which came with R&J Racing late in the season. His best showing was at Kansas, where he wound up 16th after crew chief Mark Tutor made a winning a fuel gamble that several lead-lap cars lost in the closing laps.

"When Bill is in the car, we immediately have a chance ... because we've got good cars and we've got a good driver," said the team's co-owner John Carter, who moved his shop from Charlotte to Dawsonville, Ga., last year and purchases racecars from Evernham Motorsports.

The team's Web site states it has purchased five additional cars in preparation for 2007, although it was unknown if any were Car of Tomorrow chassis.

An increase in its fleet, however, could lead to an extended relationship with Elliott, who has driven part time since 2004. Carter has made it clear he wants his race team, which employs Elliott's brother Ernie as engine builder, to be an all-Georgia team.

"I don't know if I want a full-time deal," Elliott said late last year. "I ran up until the end of '03, and I'll never forget walking in Daytona in '04 and all I was going to do was run the Bud Shootout. I walk in there, and it was just like the whole world full of pressure has been taken off of you."