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Chase Elliott wins at Cordele track
Chase Elliott pic
Chase Elliott held off NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan and GAS series veterans TJ Reaid and Casey Roderick to take the checkered flag at the Watermelon Speedway in Cordele July 17. - photo by Photo/Submitted

Thirteen-year-old Chase Elliott captured the checkered flag in Cordele at the Watermelon Capital Speedway.

  

It was Elliott’s second win in the Georgia Asphalt Series this season.

  

Elliott and his No. 9 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine beat some pretty impressive drivers to take the race July 17.

  

Elliott was able to beat out NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan and GAS series veterans TJ Reaid and Casey Roderick.

  

“He’s something else,” said local racing enthusiast Gordon Pirkle. “He’s driving against the big dogs and winning.”

  

With the win, Elliott, son of Bill Elliott, now holds a slim points lead over teammate Roderick by five points and Reaid by 28 points.

  

Elliott raced in the Gateway 100 in Montgomery, Ala. last weekend picking up a 13th place finish. Reaid won first place in the Montgomery event.

  

 “It was an awesome weekend at Cordele. There were a lot of fans in the stands because David Ragan and Dad did an autograph session before the race, so that made it even more fun,” Elliott said.

  

“We had an awesome car and the team was pumped up from having run so well at Orange County and never getting to race because of the rain so we were ready to go. The car’s set up was perfect and I drove the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine from sixth to second and then was contending for first before long.

  

“We swapped the lead several times before the end of the night and we were lucky enough to lead the last lap for the win,” said Elliott.

  

Elliott has had a busy month. Sports Illustrated featured the phenom as a “Teen Sensations” in the July 13 edition on teenagers that are making an impact on their sports, everything from surfing to car racing.

  

Elliott is scheduled to race Aug. 1  and 15 races in the GAS series at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton. He  will also take part in the Southeast Tour of the ASA at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, S.C. on Aug. 8.

  

Next week the Dawson Community News will feature an interview with Elliott about what he has accomplished in his young career and what the future will hold for him in racing.