Elliott tops field in Valleydale 500

Bristol, Tenn. (AP) – Bill Elliott says you’re never too old to learn and the Dawsonville, Ga., driver proved his pint by taking a lesson from Dale Earnhardt to win the Valleydale 500 at Bristol International Raceway. “I drove my heart out,” Elliott said Sunday after guiding his Ford Thunderbird to his first 1988 victory and his first Winston Cup short-track triumph in 52 starts. “I watched Dale Earnhardt and he never gave up (to win Saturday’s Grand National race), and I never gave up today,” Elliott said. Elliott, who started 13^th, assumed the lead on lap 379 when Harry Gant pitted under a caution flag, but saw his chances for victory almost go awry when he became involved in a bumping match with Geoff Bodine heading into the fourth turn on lap 492.

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