AWESOME BILL FORUM PICTURE OF THE MONTH - SEPT. 2006

In the Daytona 500, the Harry Melling-owned team had not just embarrassed the field, it had run it into the ground en route to its victory.

Speedweeks began with Bill capturing the pole with a 205.114 mph lap. Cale Yarborough's Ford was a distant second at 203.814 mph. Each man won his 125-mile qualifying race, with Bill nearly lapping the field in his.

In the Daytona 500's early going, it was a two-car duel between Yarborough and Bill. But on lap 62, Yarborough's engine simply couldn't withstand the punishment it was undergoing in an effort to keep up with Bill and it blew. Bill's No. 9 Thunderbird then took flight and at one point, again nearly lapped the field.

No one could catch him, but they kept trying and as a result found themselves bowing out with engine problems. Those sidelined before the race ended included Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Bobby Allison, A.J. Foyt, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Terry Labonte, Tim Richmond and Neil Bonnett.

On his next to last pit stop, on lap 145, the crew changed tires and added fuel in less than 20 seconds, but NASCAR officials in the control tower ordered Ernie to tape up the right front headlight panel, which had been jarred loose. The stop took 41.19 seconds, and Bill returned to the track trailing Bonnett by more than a straightaway. However, it took him only 11 laps to erase the deficit.

Bonnett's engine expired with six laps remaining, setting up a one-lap dash between Bill and Lake Speed. The margin of victory reads 0.94 second, but that's misleading when it comes to the actual flow of the race. Bill led 136 of the 200 laps, and set such a fast pace that through the first 100 miles, the average speed was 192.205 mph.