He's not ready to change his nickname to "Awful Bill from Dawsonville," but there's no question Bill Elliott is off to a poor start to the 2003 season.

While Elliott has qualified well in three of his starts -- second at Atlanta, fifth at Rockingham, N.C., and 14th at Daytona -- he's ended up miserably, with consecutive finishes of 32nd, 32nd, 14th and most recently 39th last Sunday at Atlanta.

	Bill Elliott is off to a terrible start in 2003.

How bad is it? Elliott is mired in 36th in the standings. By comparison, he was 13th at this same time a year ago.

That's why he's reaching back into his bag of tricks in hopes of bringing a turnabout in his misfortunes in Sunday's Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway.

The veteran, who has 43 career wins, has a lot more incentive for this weekend. He'll be making his 700th career start, and the 50th start of his career at Darlington.

Yet despite Darlington's tough reputation, Elliott has found a way to put the old 1.366-mile, high-banked gray lady of NASCAR in her place, with five career wins. What's more, he leads all drivers there with five poles, 21 top-fives and 33 top-10s, has led laps in 27 of his 50 starts and has an average finish there of ninth, also tops among all drivers.

"I feel very fortunate to be where I am today," said Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion. "I've seen a lot of things throughout my career and I've won a few races along the way.

"I'm not real big on making a lot out of things like this. I guess when you sit back and think about it though, (700 starts) is something to hang your hat on. I've had a good career. I really can't complain. I was saying the other day that if it all ended now, I'd be happy with what I've accomplished over the years."

Darlington has been particularly kind to Elliott recently. In his last three starts there, he's finished fifth, 10th and third. That's why, given how his season has started, a good performance is so important for Elliott.

"Darlington has been pretty good to me throughout the years," Elliott said. "I like running there. I don't know that it makes it any more special that I'm making my 700th start there. Winning the (Winston) million back in '85 was certainly one of the highlights of my career, but I've also had some good runs there recently.

"You just can't put too much emphasis on one race though. It's the same as it is every week. You have to make the race first, and hopefully we can have a good qualifying run this week and then go out and do what you have to do to have a good day on Sunday -- good pit stops, track position and stay out of trouble."

It was nearly 26 years ago that a then 21-year-old redheaded kid from Georgia earned his first career top-10 at the fabled Darlington track, coming in his 15th start -- and first crack at NASCAR's oldest track. He also earned his first career pole there in April 1981.

That's why, despite the bad start he's off to this season, Elliott isn't about to give up. Why, he's hoping Darlington shines upon him again with a favorable light Sunday.

"I enjoy being here," Elliott said. "I feel like I can still be a good competitor. I feel like when I can't hold up my own end, then I need to go on down the road. It's a different era though. These younger guys keep you on your toes. It makes it fun to go out there every week. Yeah, I might be the veteran now or whatever you want to call it, but I still feel like I can go out there and run with these guys and still be competitive."

Elliott moved into seventh on NASCAR's all-time starts list last weekend at Atlanta, passing Buddy Baker (698). Richard Petty leads the list with 1,177 starts. The next target for Elliott is Bobby Allison, who is sixth with 717. If Elliott continues to start every race this season, he'll pass Allison at Michigan on Aug. 17.

Elliott's career accomplishments have not only put up impressive numbers, they've also drawn praise from many of his competitors.

"The coolest thing is that here's a guy who has been in the sport and who has been successful," Jeff Gordon said. "You have to really be a smart and talented driver to go through all of the different transitions and technology changes and new competition, and still push the limits of himself and these cars and be healthy enough to stay in the sport that long. It's very impressive."

Added Jimmy Spencer, "I think it's an honor that Bill Elliott is making his 700th start at Darlington. I think that's pretty neat. Hard work is the only way you have success."

Sunday will mark a milestone for another driver as well, as Dale Jarrett makes his 500th career start.

"It's hard to believe it's been 500 races for me," Jarrett said. "A lot of them I can remember and a lot of them I can forget, too. Darlington is a pretty special place for that."

Elliott will certainly vouch for that.

Jerry Bonkowski covers NASCAR for ESPN.com.