Andy Loden

“It was another great year for me and this race team. We didn’t get the finishes to indicate how good of a car we had at Pensacola, but it was the best showing we’ve had as a team since our first Derby three years ago. Both cars qualified up front, we just had some bad luck with the blown motor that really threw us off track a bit and made a hard weekend with two cars even harder,” said Loden.

Beyond the two final non PASS South series events which included the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park and the above mentioned Snowball Derby; the R & L Motorsports team notched one win coming at South Boston Speedway on May 7th, three fast qualifier awards, seven top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes in thirteen PASS South series starts in 2011. Those combined stats placed Andy third in the final championship points standings for the second year in a row out of the 132 drivers who made a PASS South series start this season.

“I’m not afraid to say that the PASS South series without a doubt is the most competitive super late model series out there from coast to coast. There are plenty drivers I have seen out there that go out and win races at other tracks or other series, but then they come and race a PASS South race and they struggle to make the show,” added Andy. “That right there tells you how tough it is to race for a championship, and even though we ended up third we had a shot to win it all and that feels pretty good at the end of the day.”

“We were fortunate to win a race at South Boston and finish fifth in the biggest paying short track race in the country that had more cars attempt to make the show than any other race in the country. Those are just a couple of high points we can look back on as we head into the off season this winter and think about our 2012 plans. I just really want to take the time to thank my family, team members, sponsors, and fans for another great year of phenomenal support both on and off the race track,” continued the second year super late model driver, Loden.

The R & L Motorsports team will take the next several weeks to relax and recover with friends and family over the holidays before discussing 2012 plans. In the meantime stay tuned to www.andyloden.net for the latest news and information about Andy and the entire Monroe Roadways race team as they prepare for future events.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Casey Smith

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been this pleased with a tenth place finish before in my life,” stated Casey after he climbed out of his #99 Smith Paving/SealMaster Chevy Impala. “We had the broken axel at the World Crown which kept us from seeing the checkered flag, but this week we lasted the entire 300 lap event and came away with a respectable finish after racing for the win after making our way up front.”

The “making our way up front” phrase Smith is referring to is the path he took to make the country’s most prestige short track racing in the country. After never practicing outside the top ten on the speed charts, Casey qualified in the thirty-fourth position just missing out of the top thirty drivers who automatically got locked into Sunday’s main event. Those competitors who didn’t make that cut, which included Smith, were forced to a last chance race. The race was no more than a showcase to fans on how good Casey’s car would be in race trim as he dominated the fifty lap race earning the thirty-first starting position in Sunday’s 44th edition of the race.

“No one ever wants to run a last chance race especially when it’s to race in the Snowball Derby, but looking back now that I’m in the show it was a huge help for us to have an idea of what we need to do to the car better for the race,’ said Smith.

Unlike recent years the early and often yellow flags the Snowball Derby produces didn’t occur, allowing Casey to pick off cars one by one making his way through the field. Sixty-two laps in Smith was noticed as a “fast mover” by fans after he had made his way to the seventeenth position. Just a few laps later the yellow would be displayed on behalf of last year’s winner Johanna Long making contact with the wall. This was the opportunity for Smith’s over the wall crew from North Carolina to shine, and that they did as Casey picked up fourteen positions on pit road and moved to the third position.

The crew put Casey in position to lead and he did the rest as he took the top spot just a few laps shy of the half-way point. Over the next seventy plus laps Smith paced the field at timed building up a straightaway lead over his closest competitor. On lap 215 Smith lost the lead to Five Flags Speedway regular DJ Vanderley. A caution once again just five laps later brought the leaders to pit road for their final four tire stop of the day. The stop put eventual winner Chase Elliot in the top spot with Casey just two positions back setting up a forty lap shootout to decide the winner. The combination of a bad set of tires or the bending of the sway bar bracket which had plagued the team throughout the week sent Casey’s #99 machine fading. Regardless, Smith showed his talents and fought hard to secure a tenth place finish in the final laps that saw more than its fair share of action.

“It was crazy there at the end and I was doing all I could do to hold on to what I had. We had such an awesome car all day, and it really showed when we lead all those laps and then all of a sudden when we put on that last set the car totally went away,” explained Casey. “I don’t know if it was a bad set of tires or that sway bar giving us trouble again. I sure would have liked to race with Elliot and Vanderley for the win because I think we could have had something for them at the end but who really knows unless you are there. The way our year has gone I’ll take this tenth place finish with the car in once piece and to have lead the laps we did today it was a good Derby for us.”

Stay tuned to www.caseysmithracing.com for news and information about Casey Smith’s 2012 racing plans.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Casey Smith

“This is probably the happiest I’ve ever been with a seventieth place finish,” said Smith after the race with a smile. “It’s been a bad year for us and we haven’t had a complete race weekend where we were a legitimate threat to win the pole and the race, and this weekend that all changed. We were fast from the moment unloaded and the car got better and better throughout the weekend. It was a huge let down once I felt that axle break, especially when you’re in a position to win, but overall this weekend was a big moral boost both for me and this race team.”

A solid qualifying effort on Friday rewarded Casey with a third place starting position on Sunday’s three segment 200 lap featured event. Reminiscent of his winning ways of just several years back Smith quickly settled into the third position on the initial start before moving up to the runner-up spot just forty laps later. As the caution-filled 100 lap first segment came to a close competitors were allowed to pit under a competition caution allowing teams to make adjustments, replace worn tire, and add fuel to their race cars.

Segment two, seventy-five laps paying $6,000 to the winner, inverted the top sixth positions delegating Casey to fourth. It didn’t take long for the young Texan to flex his muscle as he made his way to the back bumper of leader Chris Wimmer’s #52 machine as they fought through lapped traffic. Just as Smith was making his move low to take the lead an incident involving two cars on the front stretch brought the yellow flag out once again. As Wimmer and Smith brought the field back to green, Smith’s left rear axle snapped loose ending his run and his chances of scoring his first ever World Crown 300 win.

“We were just bidding our time and just trying to stay with Wimmer to have a shot at winning the $6,000 at the end of the second segment. I’m not sure if we had a car that was better than his because he had one fast car underneath him, but worst case scenario we were going to finish second today,” stated Smith. “As soon as I got in the gas I felt something in the rear end let go and I knew we were done. Overall though this was a good weekend for us and now it’s time to turn our attention to getting ready for the Snowball Derby in a couple of weeks.”

For all the latest news on Texas native Casey Smith visit his all new website at www.caseysmithracing.com.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Andy Loden

Andy Loden Notes and Quotes

Car: #29 Chevy Impala SS

Engine: Hamner Steelhead Engine

Sponsor(s): Monroe Roadways / Red Mango Yogurt

Series: N/A

Event: World Crown 300

Standings: N/A

Venue: Gresham Motorsports Park-Jefferson, GA

Track Size: 1/2 mile (.500)

Event Schedule: Thursday Nov. 10th: Practice- 4PM

Friday Nov. 11th: Practice- 10AM

Friday Nov. 11th: Qualifying- 7PM

Saturday Nov. 12th: Practice- 10AM

Sunday Nov. 13th: Race- 2PM

QUOTES:

-You dominated the PASS South series event at Gresham in July, at times with a quarter of a mile lead over second place before settling for fifth; what made your car that good that race and do you feel you will be as strong at the World Crown?

“Well I can’t tell you everything we did to make the car that fast or I would have to kill you of course! But, yes we did have a car that was fast from the moment we rolled out of the truck. We just missed fast time behind Bubba (Pollard), but our car raced real well out front all night long. We just got a caution with two laps to go and just towards the end the motor started skipping, which turned out to be the alternator, and I just over drove it trying to hold on to the lead. I can tell you, we are going back with the exact same thing this time as we had then so I do think we should have a good shot at being in the win for the win this weekend.”

New Faces and New Places:

-As stated above this will be your second time racing at Gresham Motorsports Park this season, but while the facility may be starting to become familiar you will be racing with a lot of new faces you don’t normally race against; is there any different approach when racing against unfamiliar foes?

“Racing against unfamiliar drivers is nothing knew because the PASS South series is so competitive it attracts drivers all over the US and Canada wanting to race against some tough competition. I mean at Hickory a few weeks ago forty-two cars showed up and I had never heard or raced against half of them. This weekend at the World Crown will be no different except the fact that it’s not a PASS South points race and we just like most that show up are strictly there to win the race especially the way they have the race set up in three different segments.”

Strategy of Success:

-The format of this race is broken down in three segments: segment 1 is 100 green flag laps and $4,000 to win plus a fan voted invert, segment 2 is 75 green flags laps paying $6,000 to the winner and eliminating cars one lap down for the remainder of the event, segment 3 is 25 green flag laps paying $10,000 to the winner and you are then crowned the 2012 World Crown event winner; what’s your strategy going to be for this race?

“The way they have it set up is going to be different I can say that. I don’t know if will be that much different than a normal race really; I mean you might see a little harder racing at the end of each segment. The track there produces a lot of green flag racing so it tends to get the field pretty strung out. I wouldn’t be surprised if each segment is won by the guy out front pretty easily as long as there are no cautions at the end of a segment. I guess that kind of gives away our strategy of getting to the front and staying out that way as along as we can.”

For more information on driver Andy Loden and his R & L Motorsports including news, results, and merchandise visit his all new website at www.andyloden.net.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Andy Loden

Andy Loden Notes and Quotes

Car: #29 Chevy Impala SS

Engine: Hamner Super Late Model Spec Engine

Sponsor(s): Monroe Roadways / Red Mango Yogurt

Series: PASS South

Event: Over the Mountain 150

Standings: 3rd

Venue: Hickory Motor Speedway-Hickory, NC

Track Size: 1/3rd mile (.33)

Event Schedule: Saturday Oct. 29th: Practice- 2PM

Saturday Oct. 29th: Qualifying- 4:30PM

Saturday Oct. 29th: Race- 6PM

QUOTES:

-This will be the second PASS South series event at the Hickory Motor Speedway this season after the Easter Bunny 150 was held back in April; how did it go for you in that race?

“The race in April was about like all of our races at Hickory we’ve had so far, in the fact they are just so average for us at a place we are use to being stellar at. We led a few laps after qualifying fourth but the slipped to a sixth place finish in the end. I’m hoping some of the stuff learned at a recent test session will work when we unload the car this weekend. If it does we should have a better car in the final thirty laps or so than we’ve had in the past which traditionally has been when our car started to fade.”

Transferring Success:

-Everyone knows about your success at Hickory behind the wheel of at a late model stock winning multiple track championship, but so far that success hasn’t transferred to a win in the PASS South series there; any idea why it hasn’t yet?

“Yeah we haven’t had a winning car yet at Hickory like we did week in and week out with the late model stock. It’s not that we’ve been bad, we’ve had top five finishes just never a car capable of winning. We tested a few weeks ago and tried some stuff that seemed to work pretty well, but you know how Hickory is very weather sensitive so hopefully it will work when we unload this weekend.”

The Big Announcement:

-Its that time of year where teams plan to attend big money non-points races; what races will we see the #29 Monroe Roadways/Red Mango Chevy Impala at this year?

“We are going to run the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park, and then we’ll probably skip the last PASS South race Thanksgiving weekend at Orange County to focus on running both the Snowflake and Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola (FL). Its not 100% that we won’t run Orange County; I mean if we have a real close shot at winning the championship we’ll be there. Put it this way I’ll be able to tell you one way or another after this weekend’s race at Hickory. ”

For more information on driver Andy Loden and his R & L Motorsports including news, results, and merchandise visit his all new website at www.andyloden.net.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Daniel Hemric Logo

Twenty-year-old Kannapolis, North Carolina native Daniel Hemric has been tapped by Woodstock, Georgia-based car owners Jake and Deanna Carswell to drive their number-98 Super Late Model in Saturday’s Easy Racers 100 CRA Super Series special event at Jefferson, Georgia’s Gresham Motorsports Park.

“I can’t express just how thankful and appreciative I am for Jake and Deanna to give me a shot in their car this weekend at Gresham,” said Hemric. “They have a really strong team with a lot of years together. I’m excited to get a chance to surround myself with everyone at Carswell Motorsports and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”

The seat in the Carswell 98 recently opened when Justin Wakefield, who had driven the blue-painted machine since the team was formed in 2003, retired from the ride in order to spend more time with his growing family. Over the years, the Carswells’ 98 machine went to victory lane five times in PASS South competition, which is tied for second-most in the series’ history. In one of the last times it was at Gresham Motorsports Park, home of Saturday’s event, the 98 went to victory lane with Wakefield behind the wheel in last November’s prestigious World Crown 300.

Daniel Hemric

“They’ve had a lot of success with Justin and he took their car to victory lane many times. When you get the opportunity like this to surround yourself with strong people, it can only make you better. That’s why I’m looking forward to this opportunity and hopefully together we can have a good, strong run at Gresham.”

Hemric is a winner this season in Super Late Model competition during February’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing competition at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, a fast, high-banked half-mile track like Gresham Motorsports Park. He also has run well and contended for victories in other Pro and Super Late Model events as well as in a few starts in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

The former Legends Car National Champion and 2010 winner of the Legends Million event now hopes to continue a strong season in his first start with Carswell Motorsports against a tough field of Super Late Models.

“I ran a Pro Late Model there at Gresham out of Jeff Fultz’s shop during the World Crown weekend last year and we ran pretty well (Hemric finished fifth). The game plan this time is just like every time I go to the race track; to run up front. I know the car will be there. Their equipment is top-notch. It’s just a matter of me getting the job done.

“I’m just excited to get down there and make some laps first off, then hopefully work with those guys to keep building speed in order to go out and compete for the win. Most importantly, just to have such a successful team bringing me into their organization for this race is a real honor.”

The $5,000-to-win Easy Racers 100 is a special event for the CRA Super Series Super Late Models at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia. Feature racing is set for 7pm ET on Saturday, September 17th.

For more information on Daniel Hemric be sure to visit the all-new DanielHemric.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park

“Beau Slocumb was like a very close family member to us at Gresham Motorsports, the leadership he gave to our racing community and especially my grandchildren was invaluable. We are very pleased to honor and celebrate his life by hosting the first annual ‘Beau Slocumb Memorial 100’ during the up coming World Crown weekend on Saturday night, November 12, 2011” said Track Owner, Jim Gresham.

Slocumb began his racing career at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Legends series before graduating up to the late model ranks. In total, Slocumb earned 131 feature wins in Legends and late model competition. Slocumb then moved on to ARCA competition, making four starts in 2009. He was able to compete in the 2009 World Crown 300, finishing 3rd, and in a majority of the 2010 late model races at GMP.

“Beau personified the very reasons we redeveloped Peach State Speedway into Gresham Motorsports Park, and we are proud that his name and spirit will be a part of the soul of this facility,” said Track Owner, Tony Gresham.

“Beau lived life like he raced,” said GMP General Manager, Dan Elliott. “I have never met a driver that put more heart and soul into his racing. Beau raced with pure adrenaline, pure passion and with a determination that would make a driver a true champion. He never came to the race track to run second, he always came to win. Beau was such a major influence to all of those he came in contact with and a driving force behind the positive atmosphere he created.”

In the spring of 2011, Slocumb lost his epic battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Jessica, parents Burke “Buster” and Jeanne, brothers Seth and Daniel and sister Maggie.

The Slocumb Memorial 100 will take place at Gresham Motorsports Park on November 12, 2011. The event will feature a 100-lap Pro Late Model race following the Renegade race, Mini Stock race, and the Outlaw Late Model race.

Tickets start at just $15 and kids 12 and under are FREE!

Please visit our website, www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, for information and details about the Rheem World Crown 300 and GMP. Also, join the GMP fan page on facebook or follow GMP on Twitter @ GreshamMP.

- Gresham Motorsports Park Press Release

Andy Loden

After qualifying second to eventual race winner Bubba Pollard, Loden redrew pill number two which allowed him to keep his second place starting position after the series redraw of the ten fastest qualifiers during time trials. As soon as the green flag dropped Loden and his #29 Monroe Roadways/Red Mango Chevy Impala made its way to the lead. Over the ninety-six laps Andy dominated the twenty-six car field lapping all the way up the fifth place competitor. Some of his victims whom he lapped along the way included current PASS South points leader Jay Fogleman, Ryan Blaney, Donnie Wilson, and Justin Wakefield, the 2010 World Crown 300 winner.

On lap ninety-six the yellow flag would wave for just the second time for a spin by Steve Legendre bringing second place driver Augie Grill, who was over a straightaway behind, along with the rest of the field back together for a restart to decide the winner. On the first restart Loden slipped to second as the yellow waived once again. A final restart with two laps remaining decided the race as Loden and Grill raced side-by-side through the first two turns, and down the back stretch until Loden’s Monroe Roadways Chevy Impala would push up into the marbles with the tight side-by-side racing. The transition up the track allowed the top four positions to get by and forced Loden to cross the finish line in fifth.

“I’m beyond frustrated right now; to have that good of a car that dominated this entire field here tonight and have to settle for fifth sucks,” vented a dejected Loden after the race. “My car never really fell off like the other guys did and we just sliced through the field. I guess this is one of those races where the best car didn’t win because there was no doubt by anyone at the race tonight that we had the best car.”

“I guess we’ll have to take it as a good race that gained points on Blaney and Fogleman and plan on repeating our win at South Boston in August. Right now I’m just frustrated and don’t have much to say about this one,” added Loden.

For more information on driver Andy Loden and his R & L Motorsports including news, results, and merchandise visit his all new website at www.andyloden.net.

- Tex Motorsports Press Release

Trey Mitchell Racing

“As a driver you always want to race as much as you can but sometimes that’s just not the case. The limited amount of time behind the wheel hasn’t really affected my performance this year I don’t think for the times I have raced. We’ve been fast each time out and been right up there with the guys that race week in and week out,” noted Mitchell. “I expect the same thing this weekend at Gresham, especially since it will be the first time for most of us racing there which should make it an even playing field for everyone.”

While Mitchell has never raced at the new Gresham Motorsports Park he has visited the half mile track at last seasons World Crown 300 when he helped out Canadian racer Lonnie Sommerville whom both share a common interest in crew chief Gary Crooks. Prior to the track being redesigned, reconfigured, and renamed Mitchell did race in the 2009 World Crown at the track that did hold the name Peachstate Speedway at the time. However, comparing the two now is like fire and water; with the only similarity being the location of track itself.

“The old Peachstate Speedway and the new Gresham facility aren’t even close to each other. They made the back of the old track the front of the new track. Peachstate was worn out pavement that would eat up your tires while, Gresham is smooth with hardly any wear on your tires after 100 laps,” said Trey when asked to compare the two tracks.

Even though the Texas native hasn’t raced himself at Gresham he feels he has a good idea on how the race will play out. and what he needs to do to have a shot at taking home his first career super late model win.

“Qualifying is going to be somewhat important because its only going to a 100 lap race and with it being a new track with new asphalt passing can come at a premium,” added Mitchell. “From there the field should get spread out a bit and you will see a lot of green flag racing. I would be surprised if there are no more than a couple yellow flags throughout the entire 100 lap race. There could be a yellow towards the final twenty laps or so and that will be the time to make your way to the front if you got a car that can do so.”

Practice for the PASS South Racing Radios 100 at the Gresham Motorsports Park kicks off Friday at 6pm. The following day after several more practice sessions beginning at 2pm and qualifying to set the field at 6:30pm the fans of Jefferson, Georgia area will get treated to 100 green flag laps of racing at 7pm.

For more information about Texas native Trey Mitchell and his 2011 racing plans visit his website at www.treymitchellracing.com.

- Tex Motorsports Marketing Press Release

Andy Loden Notes and Quotes

Car: #29 Chevy Impala SS

Engine: Hamner Steelhead

Sponsor(s): Monroe Roadways/RE Suspensions

Series: PASS South

Event: Racing Radios 100

Standings: 3rd

Venue: Gresham Motorsports Park-Jefferson, GA

Track Size: 1/2 mile (.500)

Event Schedule: Saturday July 16th: Practice- 2PM

Saturday July 16th: Qualifying- 6PM

Saturday July 16th: Race- 7PM

QUOTES:

-This will be your first time racing at the track in Jefferson, Georgia no matter what the name may be; what have you heard about the track and what do expect the racing will be like?

“I never raced there in the past when it was Peachstate Speedway and have never raced since the Gresham’s took over, so all together this will be my first trip to the track. From what I’ve talked to people and keeping up with races in the past there the track is really fast and has tons of grip. Since the surface is new it’s easy on your tires, but it’s pretty much a one groove racetrack. I think fans will see some spread out racing which is different than usual for PASS South races but it should still be a good show at the end of the day.”

A Few Changes:

- This weekend you are running a new Hamner Steelhead motor; why the change for this weekend’s event?

“We’ve had this steelhead in the works for a while because its something that we wanted to have as a race team for when you race at these bigger faster tracks like Gresham. This weekend’s race is a perfect fit for debuting it so I’m pretty excited about climbing behind the wheel this race. The steelhead will give us more power and more torque coming off the turns and down the straight-aways, which at a place like this will make a difference in a hurry.”

Who’s to Beat:

- With this being the first ever PASS South series event at Gresham Motorsports Park; who do you see as the guy to beat come Saturday night?

“I would normally say it’s anyone’s game this year because (Ryan) Blaney’s win at Ace last time out was the first time we’ve had a repeat winner all year. For this race though I think everyone in the pit area would say Justin Wakefield and his Carswell Motorsports team have to be the favorites after winning last year’s World Crown 300. Everyone I talked to that was at that race said they had a car that was so much faster than the rest of the field it wasn’t even funny.”

For more information on driver Andy Loden and his R & L Motorsports including news, results, and merchandise visit his all new website at www.andyloden.net.

Max Gresham Thumbnail

“I seem to have pretty good luck the second time I go back to a place,” Gresham stated. “The second time I went to South Boston, I won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race there. Same thing with Iowa Speedway. Raced there once, won the second time. Prior knowledge at a track really allows me to understand how to race better and how to better the car. I’m looking forward to putting the knowledge I gained at Berlin last year to good use this time. It would be great to clean up a win for my sponsor – the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park – for Venturini Motorsports, and for Toyota at Berlin this weekend.”

Gresham made his first-ever appearance at the unique Berlin oval a year ago qualifying eighth and finishing 13th in the Berlin 200 in his family-owned No. 71 Gresham Motorsports Toyota. According to Gresham, he and the team failed to meet expectations.

“We were pretty good in practice and turned out to not be good at all in the race last year,” said Gresham. “As a driver, I missed it and and my crew missed it too. We missed it as a whole. I enjoyed racing there, but it’s really hard to have fun when you were as bad as we were last year. I know that going back this year in the No. 25 Venturini Motorsports Toyota is going to give us a solid chance of having a lot better result then we had last year.”

Gresham has been having much better results this year as a whole notching a win and six-straight top-five finishes to currently lead the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season championship standings. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Griffin, GA native is competing in a select event ARCA schedule this year. In his most recent ARCA event, Gresham finished second in his career superspeedway debut in the ARCA RainEater Wiper Blades 200 at Michigan Speedway on June 17.

According to Gresham, Saturday’s event at Berlin will be just as challenging.

“Berlin is a tricky place, big circle and that makes it tough for a driver and set-up team,” said Gresham. “The loads at that place are completely different than anywhere else we go to. It makes it difficult to determine just how much the track will change between night and day. It has a lot of different characteristics. It’s a beast kind of on to itself.”

Max Gresham and his Venturini Motorsports teammates will take the green flag in the Hantz Auto Group 200 at Berlin this Saturday, July 9 with practice at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The 200-lap, 100-mile event will roll off Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.

Additional information about Max Gresham can be accessed at www.MaxGresham.com.

You can follow Max Gresham at each event on Twitter@MaxGresham and on Facebook at Max Gresham Fan Page.

For more information about Venturini Motorsports, please log on to www.VenturiniMotorsports.com.

- Max Gresham Racing Press Release

Max Gresham

Gresham – who also had the luxury of starting up front – recovered from an accident that put him 21st in the running order with just 70 laps to go. The solid finish left an impression on the 18-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing team driver.
“It was definitely an achievement to come from the back to finish fourth,” said Gresham. “We’ve never raced at a place like this before. It was crazy out there, bottom feeder heaven. I passed a lot of guys on the top because everyone would just get so bunched up down on the bottom. We could make some moves up top. My Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was a rocket ship, really hooked up, and my crew made the move of the race when we had to pit. It was a great effort by everyone. We were able to fight our way up to another solid top-five finish – to continue our string of top-five finishes.”

Gresham was on point from the time they opened the tiny quarter-mile Bowman Gray Stadium oval Friday afternoon setting the fastest time in practice with a lap of 14.366 seconds. Another low qualifying draw – this one the fifth position – put Max on track early in Friday evening time trials producing the sixth-best time of the session, a 14.975 effort.

That put Gresham on the outside of the third row at the drop of the green flag Saturday in the Army Strong 150. Over the first 75 laps, the now Huntersville, NC resident ran as high as fourth and as low as seventh. Passing was a premium depending on which restart lane you had – inside or outside – and the field slowed six times for cautions over the first half of the race thanks to spins and wrecks.

In all, 15 cautions slowed the race for 87 of the 156 completed circuits.

Gresham proved to be a part of the seventh caution of the race on Lap 77 when he was hit and spun from behind as the leaders sped into Turn 3. The soon to be Belmont Abbey College freshman was able to get his Toyota racer refired and in front of the pace car to stay on the lead lap.

Even quicker work by his pit crew kept him there.

“We got turned around in Turns 3-4 and we had to come in to the pit area to make sure all the fenders were off the tires and the tires were all up,” said Gresham. “Here at Bowman Gray, the pits are outside the track, so I really have to give it to my Joe Gibbs Racing team guys. Those guys busted it all weekend. They got me in and out of the pits fast. I just barely made it back out in front of the pace car, so we didn’t lose a lap in the pits. That was really a key point in the race for us tonight.”

That set the stage for Gresham’s rally from 21st to fourth place over the final 70 circuits – including picking up two spots on a final green-white-checkered-flag finish. The effort was Gresham’s fourth-straight top-five finish and jumped him to third in the 2011 division championship battle. Gresham – who has averaged a third-place finish over the past four events – is now just 30 points out of first place.

“This was our Talladega race,” said Gresham. “This was the one you had to survive and some of the guys who were up in the points got bit tonight. Fortunately, we survived our trouble. We had a great run and gained in the points. This race definitely bunched us all back up. This was an awesome place to race. I think we put on a great show for the fans. They can’t say there wasn’t plenty of action. Best of all, we were able to bring home our World Crown 300 Toyota fourth. Now it’s on to Gresham Motorsports Park.”

The Army Strong 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event at Bowman Gray Stadium will be telecast on SPEED this Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

Gresham and his No.18 Joe Gibbs Racing / Live Oak Plantation Toyota will next take the green flag on Saturday, June 11. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series Slack Auto Parts 150 will roll off at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, GA at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information about the event, please log on to www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.

You can follow Max Gresham Twitter@MaxGresham and on Facebook at Max Gresham Fan Page. Information about Max Gresham can be accessed at www.MaxGresham.com.

Additional information about the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR K&N Pro Series effort can be viewed at www.JoeGibbsRacing.com.

- Joe Gibbs Racing Press Release

No 18. Joe Gibbs Racing / World Crown 300 Toyota Camry

Gresham and his No 18. Joe Gibbs Racing / World Crown 300 Toyota Camry will invade the tight Bowman Gray quarter-mile oval Saturday evening for the Army Strong 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event.

The race will mark the first time a NASCAR stock car touring series has competed at Bowman Gray since 1996. The open wheel NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour has been a regular attraction at ‘The Madhouse’ since 2005.

Max Gresham

In addition to sporting World Crown 300 decals on his JGR Camry, Gresham will also offer fans a chance to win two tickets to this year’s ‘Crown’ on Sunday, November 13.

To enter the contest which runs through Sunday, June 12, just follow Gresham at Twitter@Maxgresham and/or on Max Gresham Fan Page on Facebook. Then correctly answer the World Crown 300 Ticket Trivia Question listed there and direct message the answer on Twitter/Facebook.

There’s also a quick link’s to Twitter/Facebook at the top left of Gresham’s web page at www.MaxGresham.com.

The winner will be selected by random electronic process on June 12 at 12 p.m. and will receive two grandstand general admission tickets to the World Crown 300 on Sunday, November 13, 2011.

“That’s a cool prize,” said Gresham. “Right now, I don’t have a late model ride for the Crown this year, so I might need those tickets. Seriously, GMP is so great for the fans now that it has been completely redone. The cars just fly there. If Bowman Gray is ‘The Madhouse,” then GMP is ‘The Funhouse.’ The World Crown 300 will be awesome there this year. It always is, its tradition.”

For more information about – or to purchase tickets for the 2011 World Crown 300 – please access www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.

Saturday’s Army Strong 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event at Bowman Gray Stadium will take the green flag at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. A live radio broadcast of the event can be heard on NASCARHomeTracks.com via Speed 51 Radio.
You can follow regular updates on Max Gresham’s activities at Bowman Gray throughout Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions and Saturday’s race on Twitter@MaxGresham and on Facebook at Max Gresham Fan Page.
Additional information about the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR K&N Pro Series effort can be viewed at www.JoeGibbsRacing.com.

- Max Gresham Motorsports Press Release

CALLING THE SHOTS: Veteran crew chief Alex Query will call the shots for the No. 83 Rheem Chevrolet for this weekend’s 43rd Annual Snowball Derby. Two weeks ago at Gresham Motorsports Park, Query sat atop the pit box calling the race for Gale and the No. 83 team. Gale started the race from the pole with a new track record and finished eighth.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER CALE GALE:

On how tough Five Flags Speedway is on the engines: “This place isn’t as bad on engines as it is tires but it still creates a challenge for our engine builder Keith Hamner with it being a 300 lap race. The car has to handle good, but the power of the car is very important, and you have to weigh in the reliability factor.”

Do you consider Five Flags your home track? “Definitely. I grew up in Mobile (Ala.) and can clearly remember going to watch my dad compete here and at Mobile Speedway every weekend. It is always fun to come back home to race in front of my family and friends.”

CHASSIS: Gale will pilot a Hamke chassis that has only one race on it which was at Gresham Motorsports Park two weeks ago.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Cale Gale piloted the No. 83 Rheem Chevrolet for the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in the World Crown 300. He broke the previous track record at the half mile oval with a time of 15.982 making him the first driver in the tracks history to get in to the 15 second bracket. After overcoming a loose wheel condition and going two laps down, Gale still finished eighth.

About Rheem - Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. In its 81st year of operation, the company distributes throughout North America and world markets an award-winning line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heating, whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters, indoor air purification products and commercial boilers.

The nation’s leading consumer products review magazine recently reported that Rheem air conditioning products have been rated most reliable among all leading brands by tens of thousands of consumers.

- Double C Media Relations Press Release

No. 83 Rheem / 4-Way Truck Sales and Parts Chevrolet Impala (Cale Gale)

Gresham Motorsports Park

The Saturday, June 11 race will see the NASCAR K&N cars throw down in a 150-lap main event. The K&N Series marked NASCAR’s return to GMP with an exciting, fender banging battle on August 28 this year with Ty Dillon emerging as the victor in his black No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevy.

The GMP Outlaw Late Models, Mini Stocks and Trucks – all staples on the 2011 Gresham Motorsports Park racing calendar – will also be featured in the June 11 NASCAR K&N race fest.

The GMP NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event will be one of 12 races in eight states during the division’s 25th season of competition Also included on this year’s slate will be events at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway, Langley (Va.) Speedway, Iowa Speedway, South Boston (VA) Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Dover (Del.) International Speedway.

“NASCAR is excited to announce the 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series schedule that includes some of the finest racing facilities the short-track racing community has to offer,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR managing director of racing operations. “We welcome the additions of Richmond, Bowman Gray, Langley and Columbus to a slate that already included historic and successful venues up and down the Eastern Seaboard.”

Meanwhile, Gresham Motorsports Park today also announced its signature event – the 28th-World Crown 300 – would be held Thursday-Sunday, November 10-13.

The speedway also indicated it has set 2011 dates with the Pro All Star Series (PASS) South Super Late Models as part of the track’s World Series of Speed on Saturday, July 16 and the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series Late Models as the headline division for the Second-Annual George Elliott Memorial event on Saturday, September 17.

An open test for all divisions will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011

Additional Gresham Motorsports Park community events in 2011 will include the American Cancer Society Relay For Life scheduled for Friday-Saturday, June 3-4 and the Georgia Bluesfest, a two-day live music event set for Saturday-Sunday, October 1-2.

For more information about Gresham Motorsports Park, please log on to www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.

- Gresham Motorsports Park Press Release