Coming off a strong fifth-place finish in the North-South Shootout at Concord (N.C.) Speedway, 13-year-old Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine Ford head to the half-mile asphalt oval at Gresham Motorsports Park (formerly Peach State Speedway) in Jefferson, Ga., for the 26th Annual World Crown 300, November 13-15.  The legendary event will mark Elliott's first Late Model start at GMP and the first event for the track since closing down last fall for renovations.

For the past 25 years, the Gresham Motorsports Park's most famous event has been the World Crown 300, a Late Model Stock Car race that has gained significant prominence in the short-track racing world.

The inaugural 1983 World Crown 300 was the creation of late Rob Joyce, the promoter of Peach State Speedway at the time. The all-star starting lineup for the first-ever race on November 27, 1983 included Jody Ridley, Mark Martin, Freddy Fryar, Darrell Waltrip, Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace, Bob Senneker, Mike Alexander and the 'Alabama Gang' - Neil Bonnett, Bobby, Donnie and Davey Allison.

Wisconsin short-track legend Dick Trickle bested them all in the 1983 World Crown 300. Over the years, the biggest names in auto racing have also captured the race with Waltrip, Mike Eddy, Rich Bickle, Rick Crawford, Paul Kelley, Jimmy Garmon and Ronnie Sanders all taking home the title of 'King Of The Short Tracks.'

Russell Fleeman is the defending champion of the event after capturing the lion's share of the event purse in 2008.

Elliott and his Bill Elliott Racing teammates were some of the first cars to make laps at the new Gresham Motorsports Park when they participated in a tire test in late September.

In 28 total Late Model starts this year, Elliott has recorded four wins, 13 top-fives and 23 top-tens in the No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine Ford.

For more information about the World Crown 300, including event schedule and tickets, please visit www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.

For the most up-to-date Chase Elliott news, including his racing schedule and weekly podcast, please visit www.ChaseElliott.com.

Be sure to vote for Chase Elliott in the 2009 Late Model Most Popular Driver Award presented by Aluminum Racing Products.  You can vote daily now through December 6th by following the link at www.ChaseElliott.com.