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Don House picked Elliott for his driver at Wall Stadium for 1968 seasoncompetition, and while House's car looked a little
tatty at this point in the season, it wasn't for lack of achieving on Elliott's part - he won plenty of mains for House.
| TOMMIE ELLIOTT IN VICTORY LANE!! |
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| John Grady Photo from Marty Little collection |
By Robert Thomas Kelleher
Thirty or more fans crowd against the steel hurrican fence that separates the pits from the grandstands.
They stand there hoping to catch a glimpse of thier favorite star.SOmeone in the crowd calls out your name as you walk over
to the snack bar for a coffee. You nod your head and give a little wave while you pick up your coffee and head for your
race car.
As you walk through the pits, all the guys say hello. One novice driver calls to you. You give
a smile and continue sipping the coffee. But that same kid points to the dimly lit corner of the pits where all the
newcomers park. The heat vapors rising from the coffee temporarily blur your vision. As you lower the coffee
cup, your eyes fix on a pink and white 1937 Ford Coupe. Dismissing the car as another beginner, you walk on. Then
suddenly your mind shifts to a higher gear and throughout your body, blood vessels feel like they're on the verge of bursting.
Your eyes flash back to this invader. The pink and white colors seem even brighter now. Then, one final focus
on the car's door panel. The stick numbers painted on the doors and trunk lid confirm your fear...the fine edge of a
winner is quickly dulled with the realization that in the features you'll be running for second place money, because tonight
will belong to the XL-1.
| Driver - Tommie Elliott |
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| John Grady photo from Marty Little collection. |
For over fourteen years, Don House's XL-1 (Experimental Lincoln Number One), terrorized almost every east
coast modified stock car track in America. The XL-1 was truly a terrorist in every sense of the word as it kidnapped
track records, and reaped large purses as its ransom.
Wally Dallenbach, Joe Kelly, Tommie Elliott, Lee Roy Yarborough, Johnny Coy and Don MacTavish have all shared
in the lifetime of this legendary race car.
But where is the XL-1 today? Why have we been denied this legacy? Maybe it will appear at one
of our local tracks this summer. Maybe it's sitting in a garage waiting to be resurrected. Time may have passed
her by, but I haven't. If only the newer fans could see the XL-1 race just once more to enjoy her magic. But I
guess those days are gone.
So the next time you travel to the races keep your eyes open. Look inside old barns, check behind
gas stations, search the fields and countrysides, and just maybe you'll see a part of auto racing history waiting for its
final lap
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