FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Chase Elliott drove backward on the track after an emotional victory that could really get the 2020 Cup champion headed in the right direction again.
It was a lot of relief for the 28-year-old driver who is part of NASCAR’s winningest team, and a tribute to Alan Kulwicki, who more three decades ago was an old-school driver much like Elliott’s father was.
After 42 races over 18 months without a victory, the younger Elliott won in double overtime Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, crossing the finish line under the track record-matching 16th caution that came out after he had already taken the white flag as the leader. He then copied Kulwicki’s trademark celebration with a victory lap driving the opposite way.
“It’s been a dream of mine to pay respect to the late Alan Kulwicki,” Elliott said. “It was pretty emotional for me. He beat dad back in the day.”
Elliott won in the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, which for the second of three scheduled races this season had the orange paint scheme with Hooters as the primary sponsor. That is the restaurant chain featured on owner-driver Kulwicki’s car his last two years of racing, including his 1992 Cup title that he won only because of bonus points for leading one lap more than race winner and series runner-up Bill Elliott in that season finale.