very lucky indeed, i built a several thousand dollar exhibit for that museum and never even got to meet him. his wife then decided they needed the space for something else and returned it thru the mail trashed.
My Bill Elliot story. My Sis in law was working security at the '18 Kansas playoff race. Chase goes to victory lane. Bill was approaching victory lane on foot and ran into my Sis in law. Instead of name dropping himself, he humbly said "I'm the winner's Daddy." To which she replied "I know who you are, Mr. Elliott." A gentle "Thank you" from Bill and the story was over. I just have always thought that was so cool on his part.
Does it really matter? He is sharing this content with all of us. I’m glad there are guys like Erik doing this kind of thing. Some people may never ever be able to make it to these places. Plus, we’re getting these stories directly from the source
As a native Georgian and as someone who lives in Dawsonville, about 20 mins from the museum, welcome to GA Eric. I hope you enjoyed yourself and glad to see you got to experience the true history that went on in my backyard. NASCAR may have started in Daytona but NASCAR would be nothing without our state and what was contributed from here. GA is NASCAR and no one can dispute that. EDIT: It's funny that David said the same thing b/c I paused the video beforehand to post my comment 😂
Y’all done good down there ya here, speaking as a fellow fan from the Lone Star State who recently move down to Alabama, hold that NASCAR badge of honor with pride!
Just like they filmed Dukes of Hazzard in my hometown of Covington 1978 which I was in the first episode, all about moonshining! I'm glad I still get some good shine when I need it ✌💖☮
Bills first Cup win came at Riverside in 83, the year that Ford introduced the all new Thunderbird, in which Bill would later set speed records that will never be surpassed. The Thunderbird that Bill got his first Cup win at Riverside, is an 82 holdover model, that they had run in previous years, necessitated by a much smaller budget than most other Ford teams, who were all running the new 93 Thunderbirds. #9 X 2 = 2 🏆🏆
Awesome video, Eric! Chase Elliott fan now but loved watching his dad Bill back in the 90’s and 2000’s. Got to visit the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and the Dawsonville Pool Room a few months after Chase won the championship. Love hearing the racing stories from Bill Elliott and David Sosebee!
Bill Elliot is why I started watching NASCAR..I had a 69 Mustang when 98% of the world drove Chevy's..Still remember being outside and my friend said " you have to watch this race, bill Elliot just lapped the field under green"
Took a family trip last December, it’s definitely bigger than it looks from the outside. Super cool place full of racing history. Not only is it full of Elliott racing history but everyone who has played a major roll in Georgia racing. Highly recommend going. Bill was bringing lunch to Cindy when we were there.
I can't speak for anyone else but DUDE YOUR LIVING MY DREAM. You got to hand with Million Dollar Bill THE FASTEST MAN IN NASCAR at the Georgia Racing Hall Of Fame!!!!
That place is awesome! We've been both places twice. I actually met Cindy Elliott the last time we were at GRHOF. We have to stop and get a Bully Burger at the Pool Room every time we're in town. Those fries are the best! Bill and Ernie Elliott's old shops are out on Rt 9. So much to see! Kudos on getting an interview with Bill!
As someone who has lived in Georgia his entire life, I am a little jealous that Eric Estepp went to the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and got to interview Bill Elliott.
That was incredible! Bill Elliott was a sporting hero of mine growing up in the 1980s! To have a tour and time with a true legend of his sport is something most people only dream of! Awesome job and keep up the quality content!
Great show Eric! I've got family there in Georgia & when I was there over 35 yrs ago I never had the chance to visit that Hall of Fame racing museum! I'll definitely have to try & get back there to see it. I'm 54 yrs old now! Getting a personal tour by the Lengendary Bill Elliot must have been an awesome experience & thrill for you! You looked & sounded just like a kid in the candy store. I'm happy you got see it! Again, great video outside of your normal podcast show. Keep up the good work & can't wait to see what your next video will be, maybe from Talladega
I was at riverside in Pitt row with his brothers when he got his 1st win ask Ernie and Dan about the kid in the Ford Vest and then the shirt. Under it said family tradition and it was George Elliott Ernie Elliott Dan Elliott and bill. Elliot
Bill was my favorite driver when I was growing up as a kid. Now Chase keep me watching NASCAR as an adult. Great family & I’ve been fortunate to meet them several times.
This was amazing. Thank you for this. Been a big fan of Bill Elliott and of course his son, Chase. Wonderful stories about out running the law...while moving their Moon Shine from place to place. Love the #9 and the history around the number...and the cars. Wow. The next time we are down in Georgia, we will have to make it a day...there in Dawsonville. Again, thank you for taking us along with you. Thanks to Awesome Bill from Dawsonville and Dave Parks for their stories and personal ideas/beliefs about racing. Thanks also for the extra camera work with your girlfriend. Thanks.
I went to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee a long time a go i can't remember the year and since i was an Bill Elliot i decided i would go on down to DAWSONVILLE to the museum for a day trip from our motel in Pigeon Forge and went all the way down there and the darn museum was closed man that made me made but atleast i got to go to the Pool Hall and that was awsome in its self it was full of Elliot memorabilia and great food and got to see the famous bell they rang every time AWSOME BILL FROM DAWSONVILLE WON! And i was so happy when Chase won and they got to knock the dust and rust off that thang!! #9 FOREVER😮
Back in 95 i was 18 and had just got my last paycheck and told my friend i was going to Dawsonville to try to get on with Bills team (yeah i was naive) Stopped at Bills museum in Dawsonville and was told the shop was in Hickory NC (the McDonald's years) so we headed to Hickory. It was on the same property with an airport. There was steel gate with a keypad so i just pushed some buttons and it opened. Pulled up to the shop next to the haulers and just wallked right in and was blown away. Standing in between two rows of Thunderbirds and Mike Beam comes walking up. Had a good conversation. Didn't get a job, didn't get to meet Bill. But wouldn't trade it for anything. Beam sure looked confused as to why that gate just let us in though 😂
This is one of your best videos in my opinion! Looks and sounds like you are becoming a Chase fan. How can you not with history and southern hospitality like that? Welcome to the Family! Funny,,You sat at my spot at The Pool Room.
Met David sosebee looking at equipment to by off surplus at the Georgia department of transportation in Gainesville GA. Talked to the man for 4 hours cause I had a chase Elliott t shirt on. The knowledge he had about racing blew my mind and I loved sitting there listening. Such a nice man he gave me permission to catfish the river he dredges sand out of.
I remember hearing about Bill Elliot all the time when i was about 9 years old as a kid. My brothet had a tin canister modeled after his #9 Intrepid. My Family was all Dodge fans :P
Eric it was cool seeing you at the museum and then at the pool room. It was great of you to take a picture with me. You got a very quick shot of my family and I in the museum. Great video.
We appreciate you visiting us in Dawsonville, Georgia and touring the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame with the one and only, Awesome Bill from Dawsonville and David Sosebee! Great video !👏🏆🏁
It is so awesome that Eric was able to do this. Bill Elliott is a true racer and legend. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Wall Stadium in New Jersey. The man has no ego. He will just talk to you very laid back. I felt very comfortable talking with him.
Absolutely AMAZING!!! Thanks for doing this. So cool to hear Bills side of racing. The sound of that car echoing in the museum omg. Thanks again. Also great job by filming assistant !
2:38 Oh jeeze the 1998 Diehard 500. Ward Burton caused the wreck by left-rearing Dale Earnhardt Sr. which caused him to be turned into Bill Elliott. Bill & Dale both flipped & the fire from Bill's car actually burned Dale. Bill sustained an injured sternum in the wreck. I'm amazed that car still exists in any capacity.
2nd comment, I think it was extremely cool and respectful how you asked Bill questions about Bill Elliot and not all about Chase. Bill just seems like an easy guy to approach. I’d be nervous as hell.
Hey Eric. URGENT: I'm not sure why by I was UNSUBSCRIBED from you for some reason. I just wanted to throw this out in case others are having it happen. Keep up the great work
I still want to know why Bill cut ties with Ford?? Ford kinda made his career and Chase was set to drive for Ford.....but when Rick waves cash.......all deals off........
Just my guess, I think Bill chose the number 9? Because Hwy 9 goes through Dawsonville. Okay I made the before statement at the start of watching. Not realizing they would mention Hwy 9. Also I've been to the place years ago.
All-time top three men in automobile racing in the world and that’s because of his honesty it’s amazing to me after watching every NASCAR race in NASCAR history and many of them on tape, Bill Elliott, Richard petty Ned Jarrett as the top three in NASCAR is full individuals did that for a living in that environment and still had honestyand integrity running out their basket. You are one lucky man Eric and produced one damn fine video made my day.
Bill was always my guy . He was probably the first great driver to be looked down on by the elitist media for his southern draw but come Sunday Bill was kicking everyone's ass. He and his brother Earnie put ford back on the map in Nascar in a time when GM filled the field . Truly the king of speed . Nascar has never been the same .
I used to live just down the road from there in Ballground. Did you get to go up to where the old race shop was? They still have murals of the old Coors Thunderbird on the outside walls. I think MTI Racing uses the shops now.
I don't believe that 1982 car is the 1st win car. The car in the museum has many differences from the car at Riverside in 1983. The red stripe on the roof is a lot thicker, and all of the decals are placed about half an inch higher. on the crashed Taurus, another cool thing to check out is that there is black paint still there on the right rear quarter panel that is from Earnhardt's car.
