A SPECTACULAR SHOW FOR THE FANS AT BERLIN
by cindy on Jun.18, 2010, under Chase Elliott News, Front Page News
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. (June 18, 2010) – NASCAR driver Kyle “Rowdy” Busch got his revenge Wednesday night at Berlin Raceway in the second Annual Rowdy’s Revenge 251 Presented by Keyser’s Port City Racing, but it was 14-year-old Chase Elliott who made him earn it.
Elliott had never raced at the famed Michigan short track, but the fans in attendance would never have known it. He took to the track like a duck to water and raced Busch as hard as any short track veteran could.
In fact, it was Elliott leading Busch for most of the first race but Busch would prevail at the end of the second race, with Elliott the runner-up. The CRA Super Series-sanctioned show was considered one of the best in years at the track, so good that the drivers got a standing ovation at both the halfway break and at the conclusion.
Elliott qualified eighth in a star-studded field, but didn’t stay there long. By Lap Five, he was working on Ross Kenseth, Matt Kenseth’s son and a Berlin veteran, for third place and grabbed that by Lap 10. He was closing in on the #20 car of Brian Campbell [ the defending race winner] when caution was displayed on the track on Lap 19. The top three at the drop of the green on lap 26 would be Busch, Campbell and Elliott. Elliott took over the second position on Lap 38 and began working Busch for the lead. On Lap 46 he put his Aaron’s Ford Fusion in the top spot and pulled away to a three-carlength lead, which he maintained until the caution was again displayed on Lap 64 of the event. The restart came on Lap 75, and Elliott and Busch battled until Lap 83 when Elliott finally pulled away two to three car lengths, maintaining his lead and beginning to put cars down a lap.
Caution flew again on Lap 101, bunching the field up and giving Busch another opportunity to get by Elliott on the restart. The two drivers, one a veteran Cup driver and the other barely a teenager raced running side by side for the next 10 laps before Elliott prevailed once again and took the checkered flag winning the first 125-lap duel.
Elliott then brought his Aaron’s Dream Machine to pit road for service and adjustments during the 20-minute break. During this time Elliott signed autographs and watched the 50-lap Modified event that was won by Sprint Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger.
The field lined up to start the second half of the program with Elliott leading Busch and the rest of the field to the green flag. On Lap 144, the caution flag flew again, but Elliott held the lead. On the restart, Busch immediately took the second position and then the lead from Elliott, who dropped to third.
Elliott’s communication to his crew indicated no panic.
“I’m just riding guys, waiting for this to get sorted out,” he said. “The car is really good.” Another caution came out on Lap 194, and Elliott lined up second behind Busch for the restart.
When the lap count rose to 237, Elliott’s crew chief Ricky Turner told his driver to hold nothing back.
And he didn’t.
On the double-file restart, Elliott pushed up the track losing a spot to Kenseth who had pitted on the last caution for two fresh tires leaving Elliott and Busch at a slight disadvantage. Another restart on Lap 244 found Elliott lined up behind Busch with Kenseth on the outside. This time it was Kenseth spinning his tires on the restart allowing Elliott the opportunity to get by and Elliott took full advantage.
Busch and Elliott brought the field to the green for the last restart of the evening. Elliott battled Busch nose to tail while fighting Kenseth to maintain his second place position but came up just short of the win and took home second place.
“This was a lot of fun! I feel like we’ve gained a lot especially through consistency in our program but we still need a little bit to get the wins”, Chase Elliott said.
June 18th, 2010 on 7:26 pm
This kid has a great future. I emphasize KID. He is only 14. Hope he continues to want to be in racing. Mark Martin’s son lost the desire or never had it. Chase, listen to Mom & Dad. 99% of teenagers think their parents don’t know anything. Be in the 1%!!!! And Good Luck! Hope you are in Cup in 4-6 years. And listen to Mom & Dad! And 1 more thing; Listen to Mom & Dad!!!!!
June 18th, 2010 on 9:08 pm
Well, you don’t need anymore good luck. Terrific Job Mr. Chase Elliott. Wow, you raced Kyle and was fearless. He just might have got a little taste of what the future competition might be all about. Congradulations to you your crew and mom & dad. Now, how do I get a hat. I guess I’ll have to buy two, yours and one of your dad which will make the 52nd Awesome Bill hat I have bought and the first for you. I wonder how many hats I’ll have of you when I’m done being a nascar a fan. Never have enough Elliot gear. Have a great summer Chase!!!
June 20th, 2010 on 3:43 pm
way to go, man! great racing no matter where you are. congatulations to you, your race team, and bill & cindy. You guys are awesome. keep focused, racing hard,have fun and be safe. looking forward to watching you race in person soon, you guys make racing exciting again. thanks for the racing reports, cindy. like i say, way to go, man!!!
June 22nd, 2010 on 6:01 pm
So glad to hear about another Elliott in racing!Hopefully you can give us as many exciting moments as your dad has.Keep up the good work, and i will be looking foward to seeing you in the future!I’m already a fan.
June 24th, 2010 on 6:51 pm
Hi Chase,
Congratulations again for giving Kyle a “run for his money”…!!! We are anxious to see you again at Anderson or Pickens Speedway…We have enjoyed reading about you and hearing all the news from Jeffrey.. You have a very very bright future and keep up the hard work…and thank your mom and dad for their support…God Bless your family…Jeffrey’s Gran & Pap Pap
June 25th, 2010 on 9:16 pm
Hello Chase, watch your Dad always now we have another Elliott Driver to be watching. Congrads on all you have done, and good luck in your careerI see growing. Give Roddy a run and keep him in the rear view. Will be seeing you at some tracks, and Oh! hello Bill and Cindy. See Ya soon.
July 26th, 2010 on 12:00 pm
congrats youngman.i am your dads biggest fan.i watched you in montgomery.man can you drive. keep up the good work an look forward to seeing you more in the future (hopefully in the cup series).never give up on your dreams.listen to your mom and dad.