1985 Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 – Pocono International Raceway – 6/9/85

Bill Elliott and the Coors – Melling Ford team rolled into Pocono with 5 wins on super speedways under their belt for the year when they arrived at Pocono International Speedway in June of 1985. Pocono’s long front stretch really let Ernie Elliott’s dominate horsepower shine. The team’s ability to set up the car was key to Elliott getting the most out of the #9 car in the 3 different flat corners of Pocono. Elliott qualified on the pole setting a track record of 152.463 mph with Harry Gant on the outside of the front row. With only 3 cautions for a total of 10 laps, Elliott recorded a race average speed of 138.974 mph. Of the 13 lead changes, Elliott led 5 times for a total of 32 laps. Elliott took the lead for the final time on lap 190 to lead the last 11 laps of the 200 scheduled, beating Harry Gant to the line by .2 seconds for the race win. Team owner Harry Melling collected $44,525 dollars for the win while Elliott picked up another 180 championship points. Darrell Waltrip finished 3^rd with Geoff Bodine in 4^th. They were the only 4 cars left on the lead lap that day.

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