Bill Elliott on Road America: "I don’t have a clue how it’ll turn out"

Elliott, 62, is competing in Saturday’s Johnsonville 180 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Road America for GMS Racing, making his first NASCAR national series start since 2012.

Since stepping away from NASCAR competition in 2012, the Hall of Fame driver has done several vintage races and competed in a Trans-Am race several weeks ago at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“You never know when you’re going to turn the page and you can’t do this anymore, like literally physically can’t do this anymore,” Elliott said at Road America. “I’ve been fortunate enough to do what I’ve done for a very long time.

“I have had a great racing career. I look back on it and it seems like yesterday it started. It’s hard to believe where I’m at in my career now and on the flip side, it’s hard to believe I’m here (at Road America).”

Elliott, a 44-race winner in what is now the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, has one win in 43 Xfinity Series starts with his only victory coming on the road course at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.

Elliott has never competed in any event at Road America, although he attended both races his son, Chase, competed in at the track during the 2015 and 2014 Xfinity seasons.

“I’m really looking forward to the race and how that unfolds because I feel like that’s always been my strong suit,” Bill Elliott said. “Once you get in the race, you kind of judge off everybody where you’re at, where you’re good, where you’re not and what you need to do.

“I’m kind of like everyone else, I’ve watched a lot of video. I was here the two years Chase raced. Chase ran good (fourth in both appearances) and I got his notes. Maybe he’ll be a good coach for me.

“I’m going to make the best of it and have a good time. I don’t have a clue how it’ll turn out, but we’ll see.”