PLENTY LEFT IN THE TANK - 08-03-2006 - Tired of the travel, sponsor appearances and stress of 36 races a year, Bill Elliott voluntarily walked away from full-time Nextel Cup competition at the close of the 2003 season. Awesome Bill from Dawsonville probably couldn't have imagined that three years later he'd be pursued to return by multiple Cup teams.

As of now, Elliott figures to be fourth on the most-wanted list, behind Elliott Sadler, Jeremy Mayfield and David Gilliland. Sadler is the top choice for Red Bull's Toyota team and has been for months. Ray Evernham also would like Sadler for the No. 19, currently occupied by Mayfield, who has a spot waiting for him at Michael Waltrip's Toyota team if he needs or wants it. Gilliland seems to be headed for Robert Yates. Sadler's decision should determine Elliott's fate, unless Elliott declares an intention to run the full schedule, which could make him an even hotter property. But Elliott is unlikely to comply. He ran six races in '04, nine last year and is scheduled for nine this season.

He wants to run more, but not all; the number he's looking for seems to be 20 to 25. This much is certain: Elliott will have good choices and bargaining power, albeit more in which races he wants to run than in compensation. It's easy to understand the demand for Elliott. In 2003 he won a race and was ninth in points at the age of 48. Drivers typically see their victory totals drop in their 40s, and while Elliott has been no exception, the fact that he won a race at 48 says he's capable of doing it into his 50s. His youthful reflexes were long gone at Rockingham in '03, but Elliott still made it to Victory Lane. We're not talking about just any journeyman or merely some successful veteran, such as the well-respected Ricky Rudd. Elliott has a points title under his belt and 44 Cup victories, including two in the Daytona 500 and one in the Brickyard 400. Championship drivers with Daytona 500 wins on their résumés don't slow down as fast as other, less-accomplished drivers. They may be declining, but it's from a skill level that is a cut above. It was only a year ago that Elliott finished 11th at the Brickyard (and he's entered again this season, with Waltrip's team). And he was 19th in February at Daytona with MB2. Elliott didn't need the champion's provisional to get in, either: He had the ninth-fastest speed in qualifying. The desire to drive and to be an active member of the NASCAR community has never left Elliott, as evidenced by his gradually increasing workload.

"The first year ['03] I was burned out and needed a break," Elliott said. "I wanted to slow down. Ray and I really didn't have a plan of what we were going to do that year. I had an opportunity to escort President Bush that year at Daytona. It filled the void and was a neat experience, an honor." Elliott then watched the 2004 Daytona 500 on television. He didn't enjoy it. "I haven't reached the point where I am content to watch this race on television," Elliott said. "If I'm sitting on the couch, I can't win the Daytona 500." Earlier this year Elliott decided he wanted to drive in more races but didn't have anything lined up. Under contract with Evernham, who didn't have a place for him after signing Scott Riggs and expanding to three cars, Elliott put together a deal with MB2 for Daytona. Elliott then put the word out that he was interested in doing more races and landed five races with Waltrip and three with Red Bull, which will use those races as a trial run (the team has never run a race with one of the three current manufacturers). With more seats available than drivers who can win races, teams started asking Elliott if he'd be interested in expanding his schedule in '07, and that appears to be just what Elliott wants. He doesn't just miss the racing. "You miss the people," he said. "You miss being at the track with your friends." Elliott offers a package much like Dale Jarrett, who is a year younger and signed with Waltrip. He brings leadership, experience and the champion's provisional, an important asset in an era when 35 cars are locked in from the previous year's points at the start of every season.

If Sadler turns down Red Bull, Elliott should be its next pick. He could mentor the signed Brian Vickers and a prospect who could run the part of the schedule that Elliott doesn't. Yates should jump in, too. Gilliland's Busch win at Kentucky was overwhelming evidence of his talent, but he's never been to most of the Cup tracks. Elliott could be Gilliland's guiding light and would be a perfect partner for 19-year-old Stephen Leicht, rumored to be the top candidate for the second Yates seat. Elliott would be valuable at Waltrip and Evernham, too, if they don't sign Mayfield and Sadler. No matter where he lands, it's clear Elliott has a lot more racing left to do.