DAWSONVILLE, Ga. (July 27, 2009) - Chase Elliott's record in the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour has seen highs and lows.  With strong runs against many experienced drivers, including three top-10's, the 13-year-old Dawsonville, Ga., native also suffered his only career DNF in the competitive series, and his run Saturday night at Montgomery (Ala.) Motor Speedway encompassed the high and the low.  After moving the No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine into the lead on lap 81 of the Gateway 100, Elliott looked to be on his way to his third career win with one of the strongest cars in the field.  Unfortunately, that run was cut short when another competitor took him out and handed Elliott his second career DNF.

"It was a weekend of learning at Montgomery," Elliott said as he reflected on the race.  "Not only about racing and saving your equipment for the end, but also realizing who you are racing around.  It was disappointing, but we will go back better prepared with the knowledge we gained."

After qualifying sixth in a field of 28, including series hotshots TJ Reaid, Jason Hogan and Jeff Choquette and MMS veteran Augie Grill, Elliott drew a "three" to move him up to third for the start of the ASA SAT Gateway 100.

As the green flag waved, Elliott opted to set his own pace to save his tires for the end of the 100-lap race, dropping him to fifth, where he stayed until the No. 92 of Hogan got around him on lap 11.  After dropping back to ninth on the first restart on lap 14, Elliott moved his way back up to seventh by lap 27. 

On lap 34, Elliott reported that one of the cars in front of him was leaking fluid, covering his windshield as Elliott worked the Aaron's Dream Machine around the half-mile oval.  Even with the obstructed view, Elliott still managed to get around John Bolen on lap 55 to take over sixth place.  The yellow flag flew on the next lap, and officials determined that the No. 6 was indeed leaking fluid and directed him to pit road, moving Elliott into fifth for the restart.

Two laps into the green flag run, Elliott picked up fourth from Clay Alexander and then made his way around Grill to move into third on lap 58.  After picking up two positions in three laps and still running with a dirty windshield, Elliott reported on lap 66 to his crew simply, "The car isn't too bad."

Elliott backed up that report on the next lap as he pressured No. X2 Dennis Reno for second just as the caution waved.  Under the yellow, ASA SAT officials allowed the field to clean their windshields from the fluid leaked by the No. 6 earlier in the race.

After restarting third, Elliott rode around in third behind Hogan and Reno until the next caution on lap 80.  On the restart, Reno made a pass on Hogan for the lead, and Elliott followed into second, bumping Hogan back to third. 

On lap 81, Elliott - who appeared to have the strongest car in the 28-car field - cleared Reno for the lead.  Reno, who spun his tires on the restart, drove hard into the corner and sent Elliott spinning, ending his night early.  ASA SAT officials cited Reno for rough driving and moved him to the back of the line; Reno was then parked by series officials for the remainder of the race for an incident in the pits, not directly related to the on-track incident.

The penalty, of course, did little to ease the disappointment of running up front in the final laps as Elliott searched for his first win in the competitive ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour - only to come up short of the checkers.  Ultimately, Elliott was credited with a 13th-place finish in the Gateway 100 at Montgomery Motor Speedway.

The Gateway 100 is one of several televised ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour races in 2009.  Stay tuned to www.ChaseElliott.com y www.ASASoutheastAsphaltTour.com for more information on the television schedule.

Elliott and the No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine team will head to their home track, Lanier National Speedway (Braselton, Ga.), this Saturday, August 1, looking to put this race behind them as they return to the location of their first Late Model win.  Elliott, who has two Georgia Asphalt Series wins - one at Lanier and one at Watermelon Capital Speedway (Cordele, Ga.) - currently leads the season championship standings.