Elliott to enter Daytona 500

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Updated: Jan. 4, 2006, 2:01 PM ET

Elliott to enter first Daytona 500 since '03Associated Press

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Two-time Daytona 500 champion Bill Elliott will enter the race this year in a car fielded by MB2 Motorsports.

Elliott

The 1988 NASCAR Cup champion has run a limited schedule the past two seasons. His last Daytona 500 appearance was in 2003, when he finished 34th. He won the event in 1985 and 1987.

"Daytona is a special place and the 500 is a special race," Elliott said Wednesday. "I haven't reached the point where I am content to watch this race on television. I would rather be part of the action -- it's the big show."

Elliott will drive a third entry for MB2, which fields full-time cars for Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek and a part-time ride for Boris Said. Elliott is replacing Said at Daytona in the No. 36 Chevrolet for the race Feb. 19.

Elliott also will drive the car in the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 11th at Daytona. Frank Stoddard will be his crew chief for both events.