Bill Elliot Wins Close Battle with Kenny Schrader and Kerry Earnhardt at Waterford Speedbowl : Raceway Media

Waterford Speedbowl
“Race of Champions”

by Dave & Hazel Meredith

The Waterford Speedbowl hosted the “Race of Champions” on Saturday, June 5th with Nextel Cup standouts Bill Elliot, Kenny Schrader and Kerry Earnhardt, son of the late 7-time Champion Dale Earnhardt. Kevin Harvick was also scheduled to appear, though his appearance was scrapped as he was being held under a red flag situation for rain at Dover Downs Speedway in the NASCAR Busch Series MBNA America 200. The weather won out as NASCAR finally rescheduled the race for Monday 11:00 a.m. Unfortunately, it was too late for Harvick to make it to the Speedbowl.

When the track announced that Harvick would not be there a few moans and groans were heard. The booking manager for the “Race of Champions” said he deeply regretted the situation. Many fans waited for hours to get autographs and pictures from their favorite racing celebrity tonight. There Harvick fans were numerous and conspicuous with hats and shirts and memorabilia with the #29 visible to all. The numbers 9, 49, and 38 were also clearly visible on the fans apparel.

The drivers arrived at about 6 p.m. in a long black limo. The drivers were quickly whisked away to a nearby motorhome to prepare. The drivers emerged from the coach and went to the VIP autograph session to start the festivities. After a half hour of greeting fans in the VIP area, the loyal fans who waited hours got their opportunity for autographs and photo ops with Elliot, Schrader, and Earnhardt. Once all the fans were rewarded for the long wait, the drivers were interviewed by the local press then they disappeared into the motorhome to change into their racing suits.

In last year’s event, Jimmy Spencer took an SK modified to victory lane over Dave Blaney, Steve Park and Sterling Marlin. Spencer said he loved racing modifieds and “especially here (Speedbowl).” Marlin added, “This was great, I really enjoyed driving that modified and I hope to get another chance in the future somewhere.”

The Dodge Weekly Racing Series Late Model competitors had the night off, since the celebrities were scheduled to drive the Larry Goss #6 (painted in the #29 Harvick Goodwrench Chevrolet paint scheme for the night), Kerry Earnhardt drove the #3 USS Chowder Pot entry of Mark St. Hilaire, Kenny Schrader drove the #36 usually driven by Corey Hutchings and Bill Elliot sat in the #35 of Jay Stuart.

The match race was run in two 10-lap segments. The cars seemed very closely matched as the lead was swapped several times between all three drivers. As the green flag flew, Bill Elliot pulled into the lead, but at the 10-lap mark, Kenny Schrader was on point. The second half started and all three would have the lead at some point, though Elliot took the lead with4 laps to go. As they took the white flag heading for the checkers, Kerry gave Elliot a tap as they turn for the finish line (must have been something he learned from his dad!). Bill Elliot was really excited about winning.

Elliot stated, “It seems like a real racy racetrack. These cars are great to drive. It’s so much different from what we drive (Nextel Cup Cars). Schrader probably has more experience than Kerry and I put together. It’s a lot of fun to come out and meet the people and the fans, It was good to win tonight it was good the weather held out. We had a great time here, I always enjoy signing autographs and meeting people and putting on a little show for the fans.”

Did you know you had a good piece (car)? “It took lap or two for it come in when we started off in practice it was decent, the longer it ran better it got – it’s a really a good race car.” You’re doing a lot dirt racing this year - tell us about that. “It’s been going real well, racing local shows around my home, venturing out a little bit, doing different stuff. We’ll be running several more Cup races towards the end of the season - more than we have in the first half. We’re trying to let Kasey (Kahne) and Jeremy (Mayfield) get their season to where I don’t hinder them. We’ve run Evernham cars now twice, once at Texas once at Vegas and we’ll continue on with that evolution of Ray building his own car and we’ll continue do more as the season progresses.”

Were you really gunning for the win? “Here tonight? Absolutely! I mean these guys are a lot of fun. It’s a part of who goes home with the trophy so to speak. I mean these guys are lot of fun, Schrader has so much experience racing so many different things he’s hard to beat - especially when we come out to these types of racetracks.”

Kerry Earnhardt was asked: What was it like (to race)? “It’s fun racing Kenny and Bill. We do it all the time. They were racing side by side, kinda holding me up a bit. We took it easy on them -- a couple of beginners like that we can’t be to hard on em! It was a lot of fun. I want to thank Mark and the crew for letting me drive their car tonight. It’s a good car, I can say that. I want to thank all the fans they were great. Thank y’all for having us out.”

What did you think of the Waterford Speedbowl? “It’s a driver’s track. It’s pretty cool having to work on the wheel and the brakes too. That says lots for these guys (the Bowl Drivers) who do the hard work every week getting these cars together. We wanted to put a show on for the fans and want to commend every one of them.”

Kenny Schrader brought home the #36 Late Model in third. Kenny had this to say: “It’s a really nice race car, however, I had a little problem seeing out of it! I mean I couldn’t see over my gloves or the hood scoop, but it drives really nice. What a fun little racetrack. I just hope the race tonight isn’t any indication of what tomorrow is going to be like!” Where did you like the groove - inside or outside? “Anywhere they weren’t hitting me, I guess.”

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