DAWSONVILLE, Ga. (June 17, 2009) - Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Aaron's Lucky Dog Dream Machine, made his tenth career Late Model start last weekend among some of the best Late Model drivers in the Southeast, including Bubba Pollard and Augie Grill.  The second-generation driver made his debut at South Alabama Speedway (Kinston, Ala.) in the Pro Late Model Viper Series, qualifying fifth, starting second after the inversion and finishing third.

"It was a great weekend at SAS," Elliott said.  "It was amazing having the opportunity to meet and race with Augie Grill, Bubba Pollard and Taylor Satterfield - I've been following these guys for a long time, and it was an honor to run with them all night.  I think I just ran a little too hard early in the race; Bubba and Taylor were able to get me on that last restart but we held on for third.  I learned a ton and will take that knowledge and go to Lanier for our next race.  I just want to thank mom and dad, Aaron's, Alpinestars, and all of our product sponsors for giving me this chance, and I'm looking forward to going back to Lanier with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour."

After showing strong in practice at South Alabama, 13-year-old Elliott qualified fifth behind John Bolen #2, Bubba Pollard #18, Brandon Odom #81, and Augie Grill #112.  Elliott's qualifying lap was only 0.16 seconds off Bolen's pole-winning lap.  After the draw for starting position, Elliott lined up on the outside of the front row to start the Cranebrake 100 in the second position.

The field maintained double-file formation for several laps, and Elliott held his position outside of Grill, even leading lap four before Grill was able to clear Elliott on lap seven.  Elliott settled into second behind Grill, followed by Pollard, Bolen, and DJ VanderLey.

Elliott continued to follow veteran driver Grill around South Alabama Speedway until lap 87 when Grill's engine gave out on the frontstretch.  Elliott restarted with the lead, but slipped up the track in turn one, allowing Pollard, who has dominated at SAS this season, to clear him on lap 89 to take over the lead.  Satterfield was able to clear Elliott with seven laps to go, and Elliott held on to finish third in his first ever start at South Alabama Speedway. 

Elliott and the No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine team are looking forward to returning to their home track, Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga., next Saturday, June 27, for the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour event.  The 100-lap Late Model race will be Elliott's fourth ASA/SAT start and his fourth start at Lanier, where he won his first LM race last month.