Drive like a butterfly: NASCAR and Muhammad Ali – Nascar

RELATED: Drivers pay respects to Ali

Boxing and cultural icon Muhammad Ali, who passed away Friday at age 74, has a direct connection to NASCAR — specifically, to Hall of Famer Bill Elliott.

Yes, “The Greatest” and “Awesome Bill” have a history that dates back to 2001 when Elliott sported a likeness of Ali on his No. 9 Dodge while driving for Ray Evernham.

The special paint scheme was revealed at historic Bristol Motor Speedway, and then run June 10, 2001, at Michigan International Speedway. Ali lived in Michigan at the time.

The scheme partnered Ali and NASCAR in a promotion of the Special Olympics, and also to support a new diversity scholarship program that Dodge had implemented and NASCAR was supporting.

Ali thrilled drivers that day when he unexpectedly walked into the drivers’ meeting and earned a standing ovation.

“If I had a fast car, I’d be out there racing against you,” Ali said, according to a 2001 report in the Daily Press (Virginia) newspaper. The legendary boxer later gave the command to start the race.

The partnership certainly left a mark on Chase Elliott who, like Ali’s daughter Laila, followed in his father’s footsteps.

#RIPChamp pic.twitter.com/HMQWkiICka

— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) June 4, 2016