By Jerry Jordan, Editor
LAS VEGAS – Following qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Friday afternoon, Chase Elliott headed down to the Las Vegas Strip where, as a blackjack dealer, he made several big winners at the Hooters Casino Hotel.
From race tickets and Neon Garage passes to autographed replica helmets, T-shirts and hero cards, Elliott was a natural when it came to making winners but even he admits his skills as a blackjack dealer aren’t good enough for him to take on as a second career.
“Yeah, not very good, I had to have some help,” Elliott joked. “My math isn’t quick, so it was a lot of fun, I just appreciate Hooters doing something cool and different.”
Despite his lack of card-handling skills, the 100-plus NASCAR fans gathered to try their luck were impressed. Some brought diecast cars, hats and there were even a couple of hoods from some of Elliott’s race-driven cars awaiting his signature. He signed them all and then went to work at the tables. Fans lucky enough to get a joker or to beat the dealer were entered into a raffle for prizes.
And even though Elliott needs some work at the tables, Ed Gillis, director of Sales at Hooters Casino Hotel, said he thinks Elliott has potential and more importantly he has a huge following, which is good for a casino.
“I’d hire him, he definitely brings a crowd and we love crowds in the casino,” Gillis said. “This is the second year he has been out here and he was a little more polished this time around. We have school for that (learning how to deal) though. We could put him through dealer’s school. I’ve never been but I imagine it is pretty tough, though.”
Elliott will roll off the starting line in seventh for the inaugural South Point 400 on Sunday.
