Hi folks, hope everyone is ready for Sunday's Daytona 500!

Speaking of which, in at least one way this week, everything old is new again, as guest contributor Rick Minter tells us over at Georgia Racing History.com .

For some, it may take some getting used to when it comes to Georgia Racing Hall of Fame member Bill Elliott piloting a car numbered 09. But for Georgia racer Charles Barrett , it brings back memories of piloting a #09 Torino for Bill's father, the late George Elliott , which included leading at Talladega in 1973. Rick Minter brings us Barrett's story as we remember the #09/Elliott connection over at Georgia Racing History.com .

And, in case you missed it, the announcement came down this week that Bill Elliott's son, Chase Elliott , has been signed to a multi-year driver agreement with Rick Hendrick. That means the Georgia Gang should see a place of prominence for years to come. The down side? An Elliott in a Chevrolet. Those who knew George how that would go over. Regardless, congratulations to Chase, and good luck in 2011!

Hey, mark your calendars - the folks here at RacersReunion.com are busily preparing for the inaugural Middle Georgia Racer's Reunion, to be held March 11-12 at the old Middle Georgia Raceway near Byron, Georgia. Former drivers, fans, and just friends of racing in general are invited. Admission is $5 for both days, with kids under 8 admitted free for this celebration of Georgia's Racing History. For more information, check out their web site, and we hope to see you there!

And, plans are underway for the second annual Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Night at Gresham Motorsports Park (the official race track of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame) on April 23. Hall of Fame members get in free with their special track pass (if you didn't get yours last year, no problem - we still have them in hand for you!), with a big autograph session planned for all our Hall of Famers! Plus, the 2010 Hall of Fame inductees, Ted Edwards , Ernie Elliott , Jack Etheridge , Laverne Kendrick and Jerry Wimbish will be honored in a special pre-race ceremony on the track's front stretch. We'll have more information as we get closer to the event, but you can have a look at photos from last year's event here, and get more information on Gresham Motorsports Park here .

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week on Feb. 18 to former IRL driver Jimmy Kite, on Feb. 19 to former CART and IRL racer John Paul, Jr. and on Feb. 24 to Harry Gailey.

Thanks everybody, and enjoy this week's races!

Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com