Chase Elliott's aunt arrested, accused of trying to run over husband
The aunt of reigning XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott was arrested Tuesday and accused of trying to run over her husband, longtime and accomplished NASCAR engine builder Ernie Elliott, a Georgia newspaper reported.
The Dawson News in Dawsonville, Ga., reported that Sheila G. Elliott, 63, was charged with felony aggravated assault after police said she attempted to run her husband over with her 2004 Mercedes Benz sedan March 18 at the family's racing compound in Dawsonville. According to the report, Ernie Elliott ducked "underneath a trailer for safety" when the vehicle came toward him.
The report said Ernie, who spent the better part of two decades building engines for his brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 1988 Sprint Cup champion Bill Elliott, was not injured in the incident, which was reported to police March 24, the same day a warrant was issued for Sheila's arrest. A "health concern" prevented authorities from making an arrest that day, the story said.
"The marital issues that led up to it are not for us to discuss," Dawsonville Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten told the paper. "It's our job to investigate the alleged crime and that's what we've done and now she's arrested."
The report said that Sheila Elliott remained in police custody without bond as of Tuesday afternoon and was scheduled to appear before a judge on Wednesday.
Chase Elliott, 19, is the son of Bill. Last November, he became the youngest driver to win a national series championship when he clinched the XFINITY (then Nationwide) title at age 18. Last weekend, he ran in his first career Sprint Cup race, finishing 38th at Martinsville after qualifying 27th.
