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Wife of former engine builder Ernie Elliott arrested on aggravated assault charge

Sheila Elliott

Sheila Elliott (Photo courtesy Dawson County, Ga., Sheriff’s Office.)

The sister-in-law of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott and aunt of reigning Xfinity Series champ Chase Elliott was arrested Tuesday on a charge of felony aggravated assault.

According to DawsonNews.com, Sheila G. Elliott – wife of Bill’s brother and famed NASCAR engine builder Ernie Elliott – was taken into custody early Tuesday after an incident March 18 at the family’s race shop on Elliott Family Parkway in Dawsonville, Ga.

Here is what DawsonNews.com reported on the arrest of Sheila Elliott, 63:

“According to the arrest warrant, the suspect over revved the engine of her 2004 Mercedes Benz sedan and attempted to run her husband over with the vehicle, forcing him to climb ‘underneath a trailer for safety.’”

Ernie Elliott was not hurt and the incident was reported to the Dawson County sheriff’s office on March 24, the same day an arrest warrant was issued for Sheila Elliott, the web site reported.

The cause of what precipitated the alleged aggravated assault by Sheila Elliott has not been made public.

“The marital issues that led up to it are not for us to discuss,” sheriff’s office spokesman Capt. Tony Wooten told DawsonNews.com. “It’s our job to investigate the alleged crime and that’s what we’ve done and now she’s arrested.”

Sheila Elliott was due to appear before a judge on Wednesday. As of mid-Wednesday afternoon, a Dawson County Jail automated inmate status system indicated she was still in custody and had not been released on bond.

Ernie Elliott, 67, is a renowned engine builder who constructed motors that powered younger brother Bill throughout much of his NASCAR racing career, including when the latter won the Winston Cup championship in 1988.

Ernie Elliott-built engines have 39 wins, 148 top five’s, 291 top 10s and 51 poles. He also built the engine that Bill set NASCAR’s all-time fastest qualifying record -- 212.89 mph at Talladega in 1987 -- a mark that still stands today.

Follow @JerryBonkowski