Racing in the Thursday Thunder Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway a month ago, Casey Roderick thought he was in for a routine night at the track.

Preparing to run his Legends car, nothing seemed to be particularly special about the evening. That was until Cindy Elliott, wife of championship NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, approached Roderick after the feature and asked the 16-year-old for his helmet size.

“

Casey Roderick is the genuine article. He's won over 100 races and several titles, but more importantly, he has the attitude and work ethic it takes to be a champion in this sport.

”

BILL ELLIOTT

"Yeah, it was weird that she was even talking to me. I mean we've talked because I'm friends with their son Chase [Elliott], but I didn't realize what she was doing until later," Roderick said.

The Elliotts made a phone call to Roderick's parents, David and Ginger Roderick.

"They wanted me to join their development team and the next morning we went to Dawsonville [Ga.] for a meeting at their shop," Roderick said. "I was just speechless. I can't believe I have this opportunity. I just appreciated him taking a chance on me."

Since announcing their partnership, Roderick has only made a handful of Late Model starts, but the teen has been racing since age 5, winning national championships in go-karts, Bandolero and Legends cars.

"Casey Roderick is the genuine article," said Bill Elliott, founder of his development program and 1988 Cup Series champion. "He's won over 100 races and several titles, but more importantly, he has the attitude and work ethic it takes to be a champion in this sport. Up until now, it's just been Casey and his dad running with one car, and now I'm excited to step in and help them take Casey's career to the next level. We're going to give him some opportunities that he may not have had otherwise, and he's going to be a great teammate and supporter of our other drivers."

As part of the development program, Roderick attended the McDowell and Cook Driving School, a partner of Bill Elliott Racing that gives racers driving lessons, techniques and shop preparation.

Elliott plans to continue testing Roderick in various types of equipment, from asphalt to dirt Late Model cars, as well as an ARCA car, for the remainder of 2008 and will make an announcement later this year about his plans for 2009. (Continued)