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Bill Elliot To Drive New Elvis 50th Anniversary Race Car

July 06, 2004 | Other
On the front steps of Sun Studio, and in harmony with today's worldwide celebration of "50 Years of Rock 'n' Roll," officials from Memphis Motorsports Park, along with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau and Action Performance Companies, announced that legendary NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, a two-time Daytona 500 champion with 44 career wins and a member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, will compete in the Sam's Town ‘He Dared To Rock’ 250 on October 23, 2004 at Memphis Motorsports Park - in a specially-designed race car.

Elliott and officials from the track unveiled the No. 09 Elvis Presley ‘He Dared To Rock’ Dodge at the legendary Sun Studio this morning, fifty years to the day that a young Elvis Presley stepped inside the studio to record the revolutionary "That's All Right." Also on hand at this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of Memphis music were “50 Years of Rock 'n' Roll Ambassadors” Justin Timberlake, Isaac Hayes, Scotty Moore and "Sam the Sham" Samudio.

"Just to be a part of an event like this is an honor," Elliott said. "What a neat deal it's going to be, running with Elvis in his hometown. We've got a good-looking paint scheme that sure would look good in Victory Lane, too."

Adorned with a logo of Elvis on the hood, the car will carry "Awesome Bill" Elliott in his first race ever in Memphis and his first NASCAR Busch Series race in more than a decade.

"We have long enjoyed our relationship with racing and NASCAR. As we celebrate this very special 50th anniversary year, we just know how proud Elvis would be to know that his image and Legacy are being honored in this exciting sport and, even better, in his own home town," said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

"Two legends. One car. One big race. It's almost too good to be true," said Jason Rittenberry, Memphis Motorsports Park Vice President and General Manager. "But thanks to Elvis Presley Enterprises, Lucas Oil, Sam’s Town and the Memphis CVB, our fans are in for what could be the most anticipated NASCAR race in Memphis' history."

Action Performance Companies designed Elliott’s “He Dared To Rock” paint scheme, which adds to the company’s repertoire of Elvis Presley-inspired racecars. Action also will produce die-cast replicas of the No. 09 Elvis Presley ‘He Dared to Rock’ Dodge in a variety of collector edition scales.

For tickets or more information on the NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town ‘He Dared To Rock’ 250 Benefiting St. Jude on October 23, 2004, call the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at 1-866-40-SPEED (77333).
Source:EPE - Elvis Presley Enterprises