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Miller High Life 400 – Michigan – 6/17/1984

NASCAR Winston Cup race number 15 of 30

Sunday, June 17, 1984 at Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI
200 laps on a 2.000 mile paved track (400.0 miles)

Time of race: 2:58:10
Average Speed: 134.705 mph
Pole Speed: 164.339 mph
Cautions: 6 for 28 laps
Margin of Victory: 2 sec
Attendance: 64,000
Lead changes: 20

 

Bill Elliott started on the pole at Michigan International Speedway in the Harry Melling / Coors Ford Thunderbird with a record setting speed of 164.339 MPH, beating the old track record set by David Pearson of 164.073 MPH. Car owner Harry Melling lived close by and considered Michigan International Speedway his home track. Elliott was the dominate car all day on the 2 mile oval. Caution came out late in the race when Cale Yarbourgh cut down the R/R tire and spun. As the field pitted Elliott took on four Goodyear tires and made a chassis adjustment to the L/R to loosen the car up for the short run to the end of the race. Elliott lined up 2nd for the restart on lap 193. With 7 laps to go Bill built up a 12 car length lead while Dale Earnhardt & Darrell Waltrip drafting couldn’t catch Elliott. Elliott took the checkered flag going away for his second win of his career. Finishing 2nd was Dale Earnhardt 12 car lengths behind. After the race Mike Joy interviewed Bill’s dad George Elliott on Pit road about the impressive victory. Mike Joy remarked that George Elliott could not have a better Father’s Day present then a win for the Coors Melling team at MIS.

Elliott enjoyed racing Michigan International Speedway and had some astounding results at this speedway through the years. Bill always liked the track which suited his smooth driving style. Complimented by the high HP engines of Ernie Elliott, and the smooth drivelines of Dan Elliott, Bill’s brother, the Coors Melling Team had some tremendous finishing stats through the years. Elliott ran 61 races at Michigan with 7 wins, 17 top 5’s, 29 top 10’s, and 6 pole positions. Elliott led 1,004 laps of the 11,212 laps he completed on the 2 mile track earning $2,463,235 in total earnings to date. Elliott drove a total of 22,424 miles at Michigan Speedway with an average starting position of 11th, with an average finish of 14.6.

(Article by Dale Brown)

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