Monday, November 16, 2009

Post-tech: Kelley Collects Record Fourth World Crown 300 Title

Kelley Collects Record Fourth World Crown 300 Title FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JEFFERSON, GA (November 15, 2009) – Paul Kelley was declared the winner of the 26th-Annual World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park early Monday morning after the cars of Jeff Choquette and Max Gresham were disqualified for post-race technical infractions. Kelley, who previously won the 2000, 2006 and 2007 versions of the ‘Crown,’ is now the only four-time winner of the prestigious late model stock car event. Sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures in the mid-70’s provided a full house Sunday as fans came out to see the inaugural event at the totally refurbished GMP facility. The huge throng totally ringed the former Peach State Speedway oval and they weren’t disappointed as Choquette, Augie Grill, Austin Hill, Gresham and Kelley slugged it out for the lead throughout the 300-lap event. Choquette grabbed the lead from pole sitter Chase Elliott at the drop of the green flag and held it until Lap 52 when Grill powered his way to the point. Elliott, who obliterated the previous track record with a 16.178-second in Monolith Pole Qualifying Saturday, stayed in the lead pack mix throughout the race until a mechanical problem late in the race would eventually saddle the Dawsonville, GA teenager with a 13th-place finish. Choquette slipped back by Grill for the top spot just before Lap 100 when the field took the yellow flag for the first of two competition cautions in the event. Back under green, Michael Phelps and Cassius Clark both took turns at the point before Choquette again powered by holding the top spot into the second break at Lap 200. The fans, who were treated to a gala opening ceremony that included a ceremonial ribbon cutting, live music, Drifting and Motorcycle stunt exhibitions, were brought to their feet on Lap 223 when Bubba Pollard’s car pounded the main straight inside retaining wall and flipped. Pollard’s car slid on its roof down the track before coming to rest in Turn 1. The spectacular crash was one of 14 cautions totaling 86 laps on the first-ever event on the ultra fast Gresham Motorsports Park oval. Meanwhile, Hill saw his chances of a first Crown victory deflate when he crashed out of the event on Lap 267 while running third. That left it up to Grill, Gresham, Choquette and Kelley to decide the issue. Grill’s chances for a first World Crown victory came to an end when his racer broke a rear end gear. That put Gresham in position to take the win, but Choquette proved to be too tough taking the lead for the final time on a Lap 277 restart. At the checkered flag, it was Choquette, Gresham, Kelley, Colt James and Beau Slocum unofficially rounding out the Top-5 finishers. That result was amended when Choquette and Gresham were dropped in the running in the final rundown giving Taylor Satterfield and Tanner Berryhill spots in the Top-5. Michael Lance, veteran Scott Sutherland, Stephen Naase, Tyler Millwood and Dylan Presnell completed the Top-10 finishers. Gresham Motorsports Park will host its next event – an all-day Drift spectacular – on Saturday, November 28. Fans will be admitted to the show for just $5 and can participate in a thrilling on-track ride along for just $15. For more information about Gresham Motorsports Park, please log on to www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com Official Results – 2009 World Crown 300, Gresham Motorsports Park 1. Paul Kelley 2. Colt James 3. Beau Slocumb 4. Taylor Satterfield 5. Tanner Berryhill 6. Michael Lance 7. Scott Sutherland 8. Stephen Nasse 9. Tyler Millwood 10. Dylan Presnell 11. Jason Hogan 12. Michael Phelps 13. Chase Elliott 14. David Hole 15. Chuck Barnes 16. Tim George, Jr. 17. Frederick Moore 18. Austin Hill 19. Cassius Clark 20. T.J. Reaid 21. Augie Grill 22. Brandon Johnson 23. Greg Simpson 24. Bubba Pollard 25. Shane Hall 26. Johnny Brazier 27. Jerick Johnson 28. Lee Langford 29. Jimmy Garmon 30. Ryan Sieg 31. Will Thomas 32. Russell Fleeman 33. Johnny Henderson 34. Dakota Stroup 35. Tommy Joe Martins 36. Chris Davidson 37. Jeff Choquette 38. Max Gresham

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