Dawsonville’s Chase Elliott Continues Strong NASCAR Trucks Series Debut

DOVER, DE – Chase Elliott continued his streak of top-10 finishes during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Dover International Speedway on Friday, May 31. Prior to Dover, Elliott was credited with the best NASCAR national series debut since Truck series competitor Bryan Reffner in 1996. At Dover, Elliott overcame two speeding penalties at the historic Monster Mile to finish fourth, his career-best finish in the Truck series and at the one-mile concrete oval.

The Dawsonville, Ga., native opened the weekend fast and topped the speed charts by the final practice on Thursday. “Now that was fun,” Elliott radioed his crew as he pulled the No. 94 Aaron’s Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevy into the garage. The No. 94 team continued to have a strong run, taking the outside pole position during Friday morning’s qualifying session. The front-row starting spot marks Elliott’s best start in the Truck series and at Dover.

Just prior to the drop of the green flag Friday evening, crew chief Lance McGrew reminded Elliott that the goal for Dover was to finish all the laps. In two prior starts at the Monster Mile in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Elliott sustained race-ending tire issues in both events.

When the field went green for the 200-lap event, Elliott maintained his second-place starting position and settled in as the race unfolded caution free until Lap 43. Just prior to the yellow flag, Elliott reported a loose-handling condition especially through Turns 3 and 4. McGrew ordered the No. 94 Chevy Silverado down pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Quick work on the stop put Elliott in prime position to win the battle off pit road, a race that ultimately end with the rookie driver serving a pass through speeding penalty.

Elliott apologized to his team over the radio and grew quiet as he concentrated on working his way back through the field. After the Lap 50 restart, Elliott began his drive to the front, gaining seven positions to run in 12th when the second caution flag waved 13 laps later. McGrew took a risk, calling Elliott down pit road while the leaders stayed out. The team hoped to avoid pitting later, allowing them to gain positions when the rest of the field stopped.

The strategy paid off, and the field began green-flag stops on Lap 116. Elliott led for 15 laps before pitting to address a loose-handling condition. Unfortunately, the young driver was forced to serve another pass-through for a speeding penalty. At Lap 151, Elliott was 13th with four cars in line ahead for the lucky dog position. A caution came out seven laps later, giving the No. 94 team the opportunity to stay out and rejoin the leaders.

Now on the lead lap for the Lap 163 restart, Elliott concentrated on working his back to the front of the field. He plugged away through two more cautions and was sitting eighth for the final restart of the 200-mile event on Lap 196. The No. 94 Aaron’s Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevy had a strong restart and gained four positions in the final four laps to record a fourth-place result.

Next up, Elliott will switch gears and make his first ARCA Racing Series start of the season, driving the No. 9 Aaron’s Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet at Pocono Raceway on June 8.