DAWSONVILLE, Ga. (January 15, 2009) – Chase Elliott returned to Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga., last weekend for the fifth race of the 12-race Georgia Winter Series.  Thirteen-year-old Elliott finished no worse than second in the first four starts, and he has always been strong at Lanier.  Unfortunately, Elliott’s run in the No. 9 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine was cut short when another competitor sent him spinning while battling for second and caused his first DNF of the season.

“That was an awful day,” Elliott said following the race.  “I was battling for second when it happened, and it definitely hurt me bad in the points.  But I guess that’s racing.  I just want to thank my mom and dad, all of our sponsors and especially Aaron’s, for giving me the chance to do what I love to do most.  We’ll go back and work to get the car ready for the road course at Atlanta.”

With the largest Semi-Pro field of the season taking the green at Lanier, Elliott’s DNF resulted in a huge hit in the championship points standings.  Elliott had been chasing after his first Semi-Pro championship and was leading after four races.  (Final results and points standings have not been posted as of January 14.)

The weekend started with practice and heat races on Saturday before the rain moved in and postponed the features until Sunday.  Elliott drew a high number and started last in the second heat race.  He managed to drive up to fourth but ran out of laps before he could make it past the third place car.

Elliott lined up in eighth to start the Semi-Pro feature race on Sunday morning.  It was the first race of the day, and the track was still wet and seeping water from the heavy rain showers that passed through the area. 

The No. 9 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine had moved up and was battling for fourth when the yellow flag flew for the first caution of the race.  Elliott chose to re-start on the outside line, per the “choose” rule that allows drivers to choose to re-start on the inside or outside following a caution, and lined up on the outside of the second row. 

Elliott had a strong run when the field took the green and was looking forward to continuing his string of top-two finishes this season.  That all ended, though, as the field came out of turn four.  Elliott was battling for second when the car directly behind him turned him around as they approached the front stretch. 

Elliott spun in front of the field and just about had the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine going again before another car nailed the left front of the No. 9.  That last hit ripped off the whole front left and sent the car spinning into the inside wall.  Elliott’s day was over. 

The Winter Flurry Series is a separate championship made up of six races at AMS from November through March.  Those six races are also part of the larger Georgia Winter Series Championship, which also includes three races each at Lanier National Speedway (Braselton, Ga.) and Watermelon Capital Speedway (Cordele, Ga.).  Last year, Elliott swept both the Winter Flurry Series and the Georgia Winter Series championships in the Bandolero Young Guns division.

Chase Elliott is sponsored by Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership, the Bill Elliott Driver Development program, the Dawsonville Pool Room, VP Racing Fuels, Racing Electronics, Oakley, and Bell Helmets.

Continue to follow Chase Elliott and the Bill Elliott Driver Development team at www.BillElliott.com.