Chase Elliott Becomes Youngest Pole Winner In Truck Series History, Finishes Fifth At Bristol

BRISTOL, TN – Chase Elliott became the youngest driver in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history when he won the pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday. Elliott, who also became the track’s youngest pole winner in its history, toured the .533-mile oval in 15.328 seconds at roughly 125.183 mph to earn the first Camping World Truck Series pole of his career. At just 17 years old, Elliott is two years younger than previous record holder Ryan Blaney.

Elliott went on to led 63 laps and finish fifth later that evening, which marks his fourth straight top-five Camping World Truck Series result of the 2013 season.

Elliott, driver of the No. 94 Aaron’s Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet, started the day with a strong run in first practice and finished second on the speed charts. Despite finishing the final practice in 14th, Elliott and crew chief Lance McGrew were confident in their set up for qualifying. Their confidence was rewarded when Elliott clocked in a fast qualifying lap at 125.183 mph.

Leading the field to green at Thunder Valley, Elliott held onto the lead through an early caution and dominated the first 63 laps of the 106.6-mile event. As the race unfolded, the handling of the No. 94 Chevrolet tightened in traffic, and Elliott gave up the lead on Lap 63. McGrew addressed the tight-handling condition with an air pressure adjustment and added a right-rear spring rubber in addition to fuel and four tires on Lap 72 when Elliott came down pit road under the second caution of the night.

Restarting fifth at Lap 77, Elliott continued to battle a tight-handling Aaron’s Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet in traffic but he battled through and consistently ran inside the top-10 as the second half of the race unfolded.

When the race’s fourth caution came out at Lap 179, McGrew called Elliott into the pits for fuel, four tires and an air pressure adjustment. On the restart at Lap 188, Elliott was 10th.

With 10 laps to go, another caution flag flew and when the race resumed at Lap 193, Elliott was up to fifth. He was able to maintain this position for the final seven laps and went on to earn his fourth consecutive top-five Camping World Truck Series finish.

“We got super tight about halfway through that first run and when we came up on the lapped trucks, we had a hard time getting past them,” Elliott said. “Lesson learned for sure. I’m here to learn, but I’d really like to win. I’m excited about our finish and proud of everybody. I appreciate Aaron’s and everything they do to me. They’ve given me the opportunity to get this far, but I’m ready to get a win and hopefully we can do it next weekend.”

Next up, Elliott will make his first road course start in his No. 94 Aaron’s Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet when the Camping World Truck Series travels to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on Sunday, Sept. 1.