World Crown
With Nashville in the 7-11’s rearview mirror, Max and the Gresham Motorsports team focused on what lay ahead of them and were excited to travel back into familiar territory this weekend for the prestigious World Crown 200 at the Peachstate Speedway.
On Saturday morning, Max attended the Georgia Asphalt Series “Breakfast of Champions” banquet where he was awarded his 5th place points finishing honors along with the Sportsman of the Year award. Later, he qualified the 7-11 in the 22nd position in an ultra-competitive field of 40 cars. Although it would not be easy, Max knew that he and the Gresham Motorsports crew could conquer the odds and hopefully wear the crown at the end of the weekend.
From there he set his eyes on the 200 laps that lay before him. After a brief autograph session with the fans, Max strapped into his 7-11 and rolled off 22nd. In the first 100 laps Max held steady in the top ten, getting as high as 5th, before making a mandatory pit stop at lap 100 with the rest of the field and the 7-11 returned to the racetrack in the 8th position. Max spent the second segment of the split 200 lap event rising through the field before pitting for a late race tire stop, a strategy that has won this event in previous years.
However, Max was only able to race his way back up to the 9th position before the checkers flew. “It was a lot of fun out there. We decided to go with a late tire stop since that’s how Paul [Kelley] won here last year but we just didn’t have enough time.”
Max and Gresham Motorsports will be back in action at the Allen Turner “Snowflake 100” in Pensacola Florida at 5 Flags Speedway on December 6.
World Crown
With Nashville in the 7-11’s rearview mirror, Max and the Gresham Motorsports team focused on what lay ahead of them and were excited to travel back into familiar territory this weekend for the prestigious World Crown 200 at the Peachstate Speedway.
On Saturday morning, Max attended the Georgia Asphalt Series “Breakfast of Champions” banquet where he was awarded his 5th place points finishing honors along with the Sportsman of the Year award. Later, he qualified the 7-11 in the 22nd position in an ultra-competitive field of 40 cars. Although it would not be easy, Max knew that he and the Gresham Motorsports crew could conquer the odds and hopefully wear the crown at the end of the weekend.
From there he set his eyes on the 200 laps that lay before him. After a brief autograph session with the fans, Max strapped into his 7-11 and rolled off 22nd. In the first 100 laps Max held steady in the top ten, getting as high as 5th, before making a mandatory pit stop at lap 100 with the rest of the field and the 7-11 returned to the racetrack in the 8th position. Max spent the second segment of the split 200 lap event rising through the field before pitting for a late race tire stop, a strategy that has won this event in previous years.
However, Max was only able to race his way back up to the 9th position before the checkers flew. “It was a lot of fun out there. We decided to go with a late tire stop since that’s how Paul [Kelley] won here last year but we just didn’t have enough time.”
Max and Gresham Motorsports will be back in action at the CRA Super Series Southern Slam 250 at the South Georgia Motorsports Park on November 22-23.
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (October 13, 2008) - This weekend Max and the Gresham Motorsports team traveled of out their comfort zone to two new venues along the Gulf Coast to compete with a new variety of racers.
On Friday at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola Florida, Max qualified his 7-11 machine 18th out of 30 cars. As the green flag flew and the feature race began, Max felt the unsettling signs of engine troubles. After much discussion, crew chief Gene Roberts felt fairly sure there were electrical issues. Following a red flag on lap 37 Max was unable to re-fire the car, only further supporting the theory of electrical issues. After falling to the rear, the decision was made on lap 54 to park the car, call it a night, and hope for better the next night in Mobile.
“I was tough for us at Pensacola and I truly never figured it out, but I tried my hardest to get the track and tell the crew what I needed. They worked all night to get the car where I wanted it but again couldn’t stop the inevitable with the electrical problem. I have to thank those guys for sticking in there even when I was unable to tell them what the car needed. Special thanks to Josh Hamner and Logan Boyette for trying to help me learn the track, in the short period of time I had,” Gresham said encouragingly despite the poor finish.
The following night the team traveled 60 miles along the Gulf Coast to Mobile Alabama for the Lee Fields Memorial 100. In practice Max kept his vehicle in the top 3 and qualified it in 7th despite dipping over the outside edge of the racetrack, which not unlike Cordele and South Alabama which Max is more familiar with, has no wall around the turns and backstretch.
When the race began Max piloted his rocket ship to the 5th position before colliding with the 11 car of Logan Boyette who missed a shift on the restart. Due to this collision Max was forced to pit to repair body damage, and lost a lap. However, he did not allow it to dampen his spirits. He continued to work his way through the 17 car field, challenging the leaders for his lap back several times, before the looming engine issues returned on lap 76 and Max was forced to forfeit for the 2nd night in a row on lap 80 due to his mis-firing engine.
Max and Gresham Motorsports are taking a few weeks off, and will be back in action on November 1st, in Nashville, Tennessee for the Adam Petty All American 400.
By: Ally Fulson
Hedman Husler Hedders - 100
JEFFERSON, GA (October 4, 2008) - It appeared momentum was on the side of the Gresham Motorsports team as they headed into the Hedman Husler Hedders 100 GAS event at the Peachstate Speedway this weekend. Max qualified and rolled off in the fourth position with his eyes on victory lane for a third week in a row.
After battling three wide for the lead on lap one Max settled into the fourth position to find his niche and ride for a bit. On lap 15 he took over the third position from last week’s challenger Shane Sawyer and set his sights on second. By lap 32 Max caught and passed his rookie of the year competitor TJ Reaid for second. With only a straightaway standing between the 7-11 and race leader Kyle Fowler, Max knew what he had to do to get the job done. He buckled down and moved away from the third place car by half a straightaway as he chased Fowler.
Unfortunately, rubber became an issue and although the 7-11’s driver was doing his part, the tires fell short when on lap 55 a piece of debris pierced the right front tire. With 33 laps to go points leader Russell Fleeman challenged Max on the inside but wasn’t able to complete the pass. Max continued to run his high line until lap 74 when Fleeman and eventual winner Dennis Wilder were able to squeeze by him.
“The car at the start of the race was amazing. Gene and the crew put a rocket ship under me and I was working my way up. But when lap 55 rolled around, the car went awful. When the race was over we checked the tires and had a huge cut in the right front which made the car unbelievably tight. The crew did all they could but it was a freak thing. But the crew is getting the car ready for next weekend and we’re going to be all good,” Gresham noted with his focus immediately turned to the next race.
Max held on to bring home a 7th place finish for the Gresham Motorsports team and will be back in action for a weekend of racing starting Friday night October 10th at Five Flags Speedway in the Allen Turner Hyundai Challenge 100 followed by Mobile International Speedway’s Pro Late Model 100 on Saturday night.
By: Ally Fulson
Taking the Checkered
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (September 29, 2008) – Dust off the mantle; we have another trophy to put up there! On Saturday the Gresham Motorsports team went to Lanier National Speedway to race in the Georgia State Championship.
Max Gresham qualified the 7-11 Late Model in 3rd but with the inversion he started the race in 5th. With a clean event, only one caution during the entire 100 laps, Gresham was able to work his way through the field quickly.
After 50 laps he was still running fast, still running a 40. As the drivers started to head to the line Gresham challenged Shane Sawyer for the win, but finished second. Gresham headed to Tech where Sawyer was ruled as Dis-Qualified due to rule infringements placing Gresham firmly in first.
This weekend the team heads to Peach State Speedway for the final Georgia Asphalt Series race where Gresham sits in the Top Five (5th) in points and 2nd in the Five Star Bodies Rookie standings.
The Bear wins the Bear Country 100
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (September 22, 2008) - As the Georgia Asphalt Series starts to come to an end, Gresham Motorsports' Late Model team was looking for a win.
Racing at New Senoia Raceway is nothing new for Max Gresham and his Ford Fusion. At the drop of the green flag Gresham was sitting on the pole, a position he didn't relinquish the entire event.
With veteran legend Russell Fleeman hot on his heels this young driver had his work cut out for him.
"I knew Russell would race me clean and I just kept my line and it worked out for me," said Gresham, "I think we got together one time, but it was one of those racing deals."
Gresham actually held off Fleeman six different challenges. He just could not make it work underneth Max.
"He did real good," recalls Crew Chief, Gene Roberts, "He was real professional and looked like a driver that had been doing it for years."
This weekend you will find the GMS team at Lanier National racing in the 100 lap Georgia State Championship.
4:30 HEAT RACES - Legends - Bandos
5:30 ALL CARS ON TRACK FOR AUTOGRAPH SESSION
6:45 OPENING CEREMONIES
7:00 FEATURE RACES
- STREET STOCK 15 LAPS
- BANDOLEROS 20 LAPS
- SEMI PRO 25 LAPS
- PRO MASTERS 25 LAPS
- SPORTSMAN 35 LAPS
- OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED 35 LAPS
- TRUCKS 35 LAPS
- SUPER SIX LATE MODEL 100 LAPS
- SPECTATOR RACING
James Garrison Memorial Race
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (September 16, 2008) - As the Gresham Motorsports team pulled into Lanier National Speedway this past weekend they were greeted by 37 competitors for the First Annual James Garrison Memorial. Past Lanier Winners and Champions, GAS Champions, and every major competitor in the state showed up to honor this long time racing legend. At the end of qualifying the field was separated by a mere .20 seconds, seven cars went home, and the 7-11 started 16th in the 30 car field.
At the drop of the green flag, driver Max Gresham joined fellow former Legends car stand out Kyle Fowler on an outside run past 6 cars in the first 6 laps. A caution on lap seven caused a re-group of the field with the 7-11 starting 10th. Over the next 90 laps, the race was slowed by 12 additional cautions. Each time, Max attempted to advance, and was challenged for position. Racing as high as 7th at one point in the middle of the race, the second half saw the Ford Fusion jockey for positions back to as far as 10th, with a late charge back to 7th for a finishing effort.
"That was one of the toughest races that I have ever run," said the exhausted Gresham, "It's a combination of things, the aggressiveness of the competition, all the cautions, and the level of focus required to make a good line around this place. When you look around at all of the competition, I am really happy with the result, and look forward to applying some of what I learned tonight the next time we come here (September 27)."
Charlie Gresham ran third for most of his second appearance at Lanier National this summer. The 7-11 Bandolero, and two other competitors excited the crowd swapping positions and running door to door until a mechanical problem caused the motor to lose power. Charlie fell to a 8th place finish.
"I thought we had a good running going, and then just....nothing coming out of turn 2. I don't know what happened!," said the youngest Gresham racer.
Next week - GAS Series at New Senoia Speedway. Max is currently 5th in points, and looking to improve on his recent finishes there.
Lanier and the American Cancer Society Team up for a Walk For Life
Lanier National Speedway
Wednesday September 3, 2008
Flight Media
Braselton, GA; Lanier National Speedway and the American Cancer Society are teaming up for a Walk For Life event Friday September 12. Lanier has brought the ASA Racing Series back after a 3 year absence for a big weekend event in the ASA James Garrison Memorial 100 on Saturday September 13. The Walk For Life and Saturday nights race is in remembrance of James Garrison who died of cancer in 2007. James was loved by friends and racers and had been involved in racing for over 20 years supplying tires and equipment at Lanier every Saturday night. Lanier wanted to do something to remember their life long friend, so they teamed up with the American Cancer Society to have this Friday night event. It includes a barbeque dinner, with practice for the ASA and NASCAR teams running Saturday night, followed by the Walk For Life. Friday, gate s open at 5pm with practice from 6 to 8 then the Walk For Life. This will be an exciting weekend of racing and raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Proceeds from ticket sales and program sales will go to the American Cancer Society along with whatever funds are raised with the Walk For Life Friday. If there are any businesses out there wanting to by placing an ad in the program contact Lanier at 770-967-6800 or go to www.lanierspeedway.com for more information. Whether you want to remember a loved one or promote cancer awareness, create a team and be a part of this great event Friday September 12 and take that, Walk For Life.
Nationals
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (September 2, 2008) - With three days of racing ahead of him the youngest driver in the Gresham Motorsports stable headed to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Banodlero Nationals.
Pitting himself against the 20 best Bando drivers in the country, Charlie Gresham was geared up and ready to race. Treating the first two days like practice, trying to figure out the track, he finished 15th the first day with a wreck on the last lap while running 8th and 11th on Saturday.
Sunday was Happy Hour, Qualifying and Heat Races, with the 12th fastest Qualifying time Charlie finished third in the second heat race and started the feature 12th, fell to 14th with an outside start.
True to form Gresham dodged 4 wrecks including a Turn Two mess that totaled two cars, and a lap 20 flip by fellow Georgian Mason Massey. The 7-11 Bando headed to the back after spinning to dodge yet another wreck, and passed a handful of cars late in the race to finish 8th.
"This was a great track," said Charlie Gresham, "it was just fun to drive."
Also this past weekend the 7-11 Late Model driven by Max Gresham raced at Peach State Speedway in the Georgia Asphalt Series. After a difficult week of testing, Max found his groove posting practice times in the Top 10 all day.
Qualifying put him in the pack of cars around 18.30 and starting 12th of the 26 competitors. He used the long green flag stretches to move his way through the crowd to the front. At the final caution with 20 to go Gresham was in 5th, he slashed his way past the 3rd and 4th place cars but didn't have enough laps to catch Paul Kelley who finished second.
This week is a 40 lap feature at Lanier Speedway and you can come see your favorite Late Model driver race to the checkered flag.
Moving Up
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (August 4, 2008) – After a well earned vacation the Gresham Motorsports teams came back to the track ready to run.
The 7-11 Late Model driver, Max Gresham, headed to Cordele, Georgia for the Georgia Asphalt Series 100 at the Watermelon Capital Speedway. Hopes were high for this event when the car rolled off the truck and those hopes were not dashed. Gresham qualified 7th and with the draw was inverted to 2nd on the outside poll.
Racing against legends is no stranger to Gresham and he held his own when on Lap 3 he fell in behind Ronnie Sanders to run in 3rd. Ran third until Lap 68 including holding off stiff competition on restarts at Lap 7, 10 and 50.
7-11 slipped to fourth when fast qualified TJ Reaid passed him on lap 68, but regained it 12 laps later when Reaid tangled with a slower car. Again Gresham held off Georgia’s best short track racers during restarts at Lap 70 (Russell Fleeman) and Lap 90 (Ryan Sieg). Finally passing Sanders on Lap 92 when Sanders bobbled off of turn 2 and Max slipped under him for a 2nd place finish.
Gresham is currently standing in 6th in points for the Georgia Asphalt Series and ranked 2nd in the Five Star Bodies Rookie standings.
Come out this Thursday to Atlanta Motor Speedway when the youngest GMS driver Charlie Gresham runs in a double features during Thursday Thunder. Last week he finished his heat race in second before the rains washed out the remaining events.
Running in Opp
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (July 14, 2008) - Hopes were high as the Gresham Motorsports team made its way back South to the South Alabama Speedway for the Mojave 100. Driver Max Gresham had a strong showing at his last stint in South Alabama with a 6th place finish.
Upon the unloading of the Chevy Late Model the crew looked forward to great lap times but found that the car wouldn't get out of its own way. Prior weeks testing proved the car was fast but was 1/2 a second slower during practice, causing the team to look to the Ford for the race.
Max qualified 5th but was inverted to the outside pole. During the event he raced at the front of the pack until he tagged with another car and was moved to the back. Working his way through traffic he found another skirmish and tagged again with another move to the back.
Fighting to gain position again, Gresham finished the race in 9th.
"The car was Jack the Bear for us," says Crew Chief Gene Roberts, "we just got caught up and couldn't make it back."
The Late Model team won't be racing for the remainder of July but you can catch the youngest Gresham driver, Charlie Gresham, on Thursday nights at Atlanta Motor Speedway when he races his Bandolero Bandit car in Thursday Thunder.
Looking to the Next
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (July 7, 2008) - As the Fourth of July holiday approached the Gresham Motorsports team looked forward to some good racing and beautiful fireworks. Unfortunately the racing didn't prove to be as good as expected.
The 7-11 Late Model team traveled north to Peach State Speedway in Jefferson, Georgia for the Toyota Tundra Independence 125 being held on the 3rd. Upon arrival the team found that mechanically there could be some issues.
After Qualifying into the 27th spot the team realized this would be a race that Max would have to really work hard with the car to get a good finish in. Though the finish wasn't as great as his past few races, Max Gresham did finish 11th with the car intact and a bump up to 8th in the points standings for the Georgia Asphalt Series.
On Thursday, Bandolero driver, Charlie Gresham got behind the wheel at Atlanta Motor Speedways Thursday Thunder. After a great finish last week he hoped to continue this momentum and did just that, with a qualifying of 6th and a finish in 4th the young Gresham driver is pleased with the results.
This week the Late Model team will head back to Opp, Alabama to race in the Pro Late Model 100 at South Alabama Speedway. Max's last race there gave him a finish in 6th, spirits are high in hopes of a better finish this go 'round.
Break His Other Arm!
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (June 27, 2008) – After two months of being out of the headlines, the Gresham Motorsports youngest driver comes back with a roar.
The 7-11 Bandolero driver, Charlie Gresham, has spent the last 10 weeks in a cast, watching as others got behind the wheel and raced. On Monday that all changed; with cast off Gresham was ready to race and it showed last night at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thursday Thunder.
In his first race he started 8th and maneuvered his through the crowd for a 3rd place finish followed by the Promoter’s Choice race.
Atlanta Motor Speedway introduced the Promoter's Choice races for the 2008 Thursday Thunder season. The Promoter's Choice race showcases competitors who have yet to win a heat or feature race during the Thursday Thunder season in an eight-lap feature event. For this event Charlie Gresham held the pole but after a spin out he finished the night with a 3rd.
“First race back and it felt really good,” says Charlie, “The car was great and it just felt so great to race again.”
Up next for Gresham Motorsports is Max Gresham racing the 7-11 Late Model at Peach State Speedway in the Toyota Tundra Independence 125 of the Georgia Asphalt Series on July 3rd with Fireworks following.
Getting Close
STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia (June 14, 2008) - Great racing was the theme for Saturdays Georgia Asphalt Series event at New Senoia Raceway. The 7-11 car was in the thick of that great racing and came out with a strong finish.
Starting on the outside pole Max Gresham was then inverted to 3rd on the draw. Racing up into 2nd he challenged legend Roger Fleeman for the top spot.
With lots of side by side racing and long green flag runs Gresham ran a solid race through to the end where he found himself caught up in lapped traffic causing him to be pushed back to a 4th place finish
"He did everything he was supposed to do," says Gene Roberts, "it won’t be long before he takes his first checkered."
The Gresham Motorsports team travels to sunny Florida this weekend for the Florida 100 at New Smyrna Speedway on June 21st.
Gresham Motorsports (www.greshammotorsports.com) field's drivers in various series around Georgia and the Southeast including Thursday Thunder Legends, ASA Late Model Series, Georgia Asphalt Series and ASA Southeastern Tour. Drivers include Max Gresham, Charlie Gresham and Jim Gresham. Gresham Motorsports has a stable of Legends cars, Bandoleros and Roadsters as well as 2 Late Model Series cars.
Gresham Driver on The Bear
STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia (June 12, 2008) - Tune in tonight as Max Gresham, Driver of the 7-11 Gresham Motorsports Late Model, talks to Southern Race Week on 92.5 The Bear. He will be talking with host William Barber LIVE from Atlanta Motor Speedway Thursday Thunder.
Gresham will be on at 7:00 at 92.5 FM on your radio dial and www.925fmthebear.com for those outside of the listening area.
Gresham Motorsports will be racing this weekend at New Senoia (GA) Raceway in Senoia, Georgia in the Georgia Asphalt Series, www.newsenoiaraceway.com or www.georgiaasphaltseries.com .
Saturday, June 14th:
3:00 PM Gates Open
4:30-5:30 PM Local Practice
5:30 PM GAS Series Qualifying
7:00 PM Feature Racing
Gresham Motorsports (www.greshammotorsports.com) field's drivers in various series around Georgia and the Southeast including Thursday Thunder Legends, ASA Late Model Series, Georgia Asphalt Series and ASA Southeastern Tour. Drivers include Max Gresham, Charlie Gresham and Jim Gresham. Gresham Motorsports has a stable of Legends cars, Bandoleros and Roadsters as well as 2 Late Model Series cars.
7-11 Late Model Team Racing in Cordele
STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia (June 5, 2008) - Come down to Cordele Georgia to watch the 7-11 driver Max Gresham race at Watermelon Capital Speedway in the Georgia Asphalt Series.
This will be Gresham's 7th race behind the wheel of the Late Model Stock Car and hopes are high that he will be bringing home the checkered flag! Watermelon Capital is where Max won his first Late Model event on May 5, 2007 when he took the line in the GM Performance Parts Shootout of the ASA Late Model Series.
Race Schedule for June 7, 2008
4:00 PM Grand Stands Open
4:45 PM Qualifying for G.A.S. cars
6:30 PM Local Heats
Feature race schedule will be as follows:
Bandos
Claimer Cars
Legends Cars
Pure Stock Cars
Super Street Cars
G.A.S. autograph session (time permitting)
G.A.S. Late Models
Be sure to go to www.georgiaasphaltseries.com or www.watermeloncapitalspeedway.com for more information.
Strongest Finish
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (June 2, 2008) - Racing for his first Moon Pie hat and cold RC Cola, Max Gresham put on a great race Saturday night at New Senoia (GA) Raceway in the Southern Atlanta 100 with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour.
After qualifying 3rd, Gresham drew the 3rd starting position and blended in 3rd on lap two. For all but two laps during the night he ran in the Top 5.
The night was not without cautions or wrecks, all of which Max managed to avoid. The first was between Bubba Pollard and Preston Peltier coming off of turn Four, he maneuvered through the two spinning cars. Later on Lap 70 he was behind an upside down crash caused by Russell Fleeman, again, worked his way through without putting a scratch on the 7-11 Ford Fusion.
As the race began to wind down with 15 laps left the racing got to be 2 wide racing three deep until a mishap between 2nd and 3rd brought out a caution. With 5 to go, Gresham hustled the car around the outside of 2006 ASA Late Model South Champion Chris Fontaine, and battled four laps with the #15 of David Elliott.
The 7-11 driver held off Elliott on the outside for three laps before a last lap "Slide Job" put the #15 in front of Max for third; inishing Gresham's night with his strongest finish to date with 4th.
"We struggled the last few days with practice and the car," said Max, "and I want to just thank the crew and everyone for their patience with me and helping with this finish."
Max will be behind the Chevrolet Late Model wheel for the Georgia Asphalt Series event at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia this Saturday.
Racing New Senoia
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (May 29, 2008) - This weekend (May 31) the 7-11 Ford Fusion Late Model Stock Car will take the track at New Senoia Raceway for the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour Atlanta Southern 100.
Driver, Max Gresham, began to get his head into racing this weekend while talking with 92.5 The Bear on Southern Raceweek last night. Talking with host William Barber it was revealed that Max "The Bear" Gresham is racing to win, but us 7-11 fans already knew that.
Race Schedule for Atlanta Southern 100
5:00 PM Grand Stands Open
6:00 PM Pole qualifying for Atlanta Southern 100
Heat Races for Local Divisions
ASA Last Chance Race (if Needed)
Feature Events for local divisions
ASA Driver Intro
ASA Atlanta Southern 100 (about 9:00 PM)
Be sure to go to www.newsenoiaraceway.com or www.asasoutheast.com more information.
The Bear
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (May 19, 2008) - As the Gresham Motorsports team traveled West to Opp, Alabama the 7-11 driver found himself in uncharted waters. Having never tested on the South Alabama Speedway track the team was in for surprises and excitement.
When the car was unloaded the Chevy Monte Carlo was running in the top ten in speed, and after a couple of hours of practice, made its way up to 5th on the speed charts.
Qualifying was tough. Driver, Max Gresham, drew the first qualifying spot and was the victim of air and track temperatures that dropped and cooled quickly after his run. He found himself in the 11 place position out of 21 cars.
From the drop for the green flag Max raced hard picking off three cars by lap 50. At lap 71 he found his way to 7th. This is the time that the team found him to be a bear. Inside the top 5, Gresham was putting pressure on short track legend Ronnie Sanders when the leaders spun out advancing Max to third.
With 3 laps to go, faster cars from the rear joined the party, and four cars raced for three laps with positions changing twice each lap. Max held off hard charging competition while on the outside, sideways, and the pedal to the floor. At the end, he had salvaged a well earned 6th place finish.
"He was a bear," says an elated Crew Chief, Gene Roberts, "We could not be happier and I think it is his best race ever. He handled the car and the pressure well, just a bear on the track."
Catch Max in his next race on May 31st at New Senoia (GA) Raceway when he competes in the Atlanta Southern 100 of the ASA Southeast Tour Series. Schedule to be posted soon.
Best Yet
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (May 10, 2008) - With the clouds rolling in on the horizon, the Gresham Motorsports team battened down to take on the Watermelon Bowl 100 in Cordele, Georgia.
The 7-11 Late Model Stock car driver, Max Gresham, arrived late to the track because of his sister Haley's graduation. This caused him to only get three laps of practice in before Qualifying. Not an issue because he had the fourth fastest times on the speed chart. As the Qualifying started, Gresham found that his final place of 13th was well below his practices times.
As the green flag dropped he immediately started ticking cars off and heading to the front of the pack. During the first 50 laps the race was under a long green flag which allowed Max time to take over the 7th place position.
He ran consistent pressuring the #88 car of Justin Larsen through 49 laps and four cautions. That is until right at the end when Gresham took the 7-11 car around the 88 for a thrilling pass in turns one and two giving him a 6th place finish; The best ASA Late Model finish to date for Gresham Motorsports.
"I am so excited and happy," says driver, Max Gresham, "We got a great 6th place finish without a scratch on the car!"
The 7-11 Late Model will be in action again this weekend in Opp, Alabama for the Massasauga Pro Late Model 100 at the South Alabama Speedway.
Extreme Case
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (May 3, 2008) - It is always an extreme case if the 7-11 car doesn't make the race, this past weekends events leading up to the show were just that.
As Max Gresham took the Late Model for a few Qualifying laps there was a slight mishap that caused the back end to hit the wall thus causing damage that forced the team to pack up. As disappointment ensued they were all forced to switch their focus to this upcoming weekend and the ASA Late Model South Tour event at Watermelon Capital (Cordele) Speedway.
The team is testing this week to ensure they are ready for the upcoming races.
"We are making sure that this past weekend's events don't occur again," said Gene Roberts, Crew Chief of the 7-11 team, "Max had a fast car and as long as week keep that level of equipment under him he will do really well."
The schedule of events for the Watermelon Bowl 100 at Watermelon Capital Speedway this Saturday, May 10 are as follows:
4:00 PM Main Grandstand Gates Open
6:00 PM ASALMS ARP Bodies/Aluminum Racing Products Qualifying (2 Laps)
6:55 PM Invocation/National Anthem
7:00 PM WCS Divisions Heat Races-Claimers, Legends, Pure Stocks, and Mini Stocks
7:30 PM ASALMS Autograph Session (30 Minutes)
8:00 PM WCS Divisions Features-Claimers, Legends, Pure Stocks, and Mini Stocks
8:45 PM ASALMS Pre-Race Ceremonies/Driver Introductions
9:00 PM ASALMS Watermelon Bowl 100
Come out and support the Gresham Motorsports Late Model team and also contribute to a worthy cause as a portion of the ticket sales will go to the Save Easton Fund. For more information go to www.asalatemodels.com.
Busy Week
STOCKBRIDGE, GA (April 28, 2008) - Over the last week the Gresham Motorsports 7-11 Late Model has been busy with testing and racing.
On April 19, 2008 Max Gresham got behind the wheel for his first ASA Late Model South race at New Senoia (GA) Raceway. Qualifying 13th for the race nerves were tight with the young driver being in the middle of the pack. Gresham proved though that he is capable of handling that pressure.
Making his way through the crowd he challenged the #35 car for 6th, bumped him and got moved to the back. After the move Gresham showed his tenacity by moving back through the crowd and finishing in 19th after a brush with the wall.
On Tuesday the team headed to Hickory, NC to test. What the team found was that they not only had a fast car but a driver willing to run with it. At the last race there the pole time was 14.99 and Max was running a 14.90 with 50 lap tires.
New Senoia was on the agenda for Thursday to make a few changes and see how Gresham handled them.
"We couldn’t be happier with how Max is doing," said Crew Chief, Gene Roberts, "He is getting so much better at knowing what the car is doing and giving us great feedback. He is showing on the track that he is a man willing to take a chance to get the job done."
Saturday (May 3) the entire crew heads to Jefferson, Georgia for the Georgia Asphalt Series event and to Cordele, Georgia (May 10) for the Watermelon Bowl 100 of the ASA Late Model Series.
7-11 Late Model Team Racing in Senoia
STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia (April 15, 2008) - This weekend the 7-11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Late Model will take the track at New Senoia (GA) Speedway for the ASA Late Model South Series Georgia Showdown 100.
Driver, Max Gresham, will once again be behind the wheel in just his second Late Model race of the season and sixth race overall. Gresham currently is the youngest driver in ASALMS history to win an event. This was awarded after he won the GM Performance Parts Shootout at the Watermelon Capital (GA) Speedway on Saturday May 5, 2007, his first Late Model event.
Schedule for Saturday, April 19, 2008
5:00 PM Main Grandstand Gates Open
5:00 PM ASALMS ARP Bodies/Aluminum Racing Products Qualifying (2 Laps)
5:45 PM ASALMS Autograph Session (60 Minutes)
6:55 PM Invocation/National Anthem
7:00 PM New Senoia Divisions Heat Races (8 Laps Each)
7:45 PM ASALMS GM Performance Parts Shootout (25 Laps) (Top 2 Transfer) If Needed
8:15 PM New Senoia Divisions Features
9:00 PM ASALMS Pre-Race Ceremonies/Driver Introductions
9:15 PM ASALMS Georgia Showdown 100
Be sure to go to www.asalatemodelssouth.com to print off the event flyer for a $5.00 off coupon for adult admission. Go to www.newsenoiaraceway.com for track information.
Light After The Rain
JEFFERSON, Georgia (April 6, 2008) - After two rain relays the first race in the Georgia Asphalt Series was finally underway at Peach State Speedway in Jefferson, Georgia and the 7-11 Late Model Stock Car was ready to run.
With weeks of testing and car prep Max Gresham the 14 year old driver of the 7-11 Ford Late Model was a bit nervous coming to the track on Sunday. After thinking that he didn't know the right line and not driving the car to its full ability he wanted to simply get the car across the line in one piece.
As the sun rose on Sunday though all of that changed; like any great driver, when it comes to race day, Max was focused and itching to take the checkered. He found the line that Crew Chief, Gene Roberts, had been trying to teach him the weeks prior. He found the groove to get him into the 8th position for qualifying and waited for the green to drop.
With a fast car and confidence that he is exactly where he is suppose to be Gresham ran the whole race in 3rd. With 5 laps to go in the 100-lap event, he got caught up in lap traffic and was pushed into the wall. Two cars went under him to give him a 5th place finish.
"He did really well, everyone thinks so," Gene Roberts says, "I had people from the series, other drivers and crew members coming up to me saying how great he did. He handled the car and the pressure with great maturity. We're real happy."
As the team heads off for more testing, Gresham prepares for his next event the ASA Late Model South Series race at New Senoia Speedway April 19th. This event will have both Late Model racing and Bandolero racing so you will get to see both 7-11 cars on track.
Founded in 1979, Gresham & Associates (www.gresham-inc.com) is a wholesale insurance broker and MGA that specializes in Property, Casualty, Professional, D&O, Health Care, Transportation and Program Business insurance. They are the only wholesaler in the southeast with access to every major specialty MGA and brokerage market. The company has in excess of $400 million in annual premium volume.
Testing, Testing
STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia (March 7, 2008) - Yesterday at Peach State Speedway in Jefferson Georgia the Gresham Motorsports team put the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Late Model to the test. With the sun going down, a new paint scheme and great set up the car proved to be fast.
As testing progressed the 7-11 car made strong lap times and driver Max Gresham became more acclimated to the track. In this learning season Gresham gains more knowledge with each time he gets behind the wheel and finds comfort with the track he is on. See the Photo Album for shots from the day.
"He is doing good. Our goal is to get his confidence up and increase his comfort with each lap," comments Crew Chief, Gene Roberts, "As the experience comes so will the wins and progress."
This weekend the youngest driver for Gresham Motorsports, Charlie Gresham, will be racing at the Atlanta Motor Speedway after the NASCAR Nationwide Series event the Nicorette 300. He will be competing in the final event of Atlanta Motor Speedways Winter Flurry Legends Series. Check back on Monday for the updates on how he finished out his season.
Founded in 1979, Gresham & Associates (www.gresham-inc.com) is a wholesale insurance broker and MGA that specializes in Property, Casualty, Professional, D&O, Health Care, Transportation and Program Business insurance. They are the only wholesaler in the southeast with access to every major specialty MGA and brokerage market. The company has in excess of $400 million in annual premium volume.
Testing for Summer
GRIFFIN, Georgia (February 19, 2008) - The Gresham Motorsports teams have begun testing for the upcoming seasons at the Watermelon Capital (Cordele, GA) Speedway on Monday continuing through this Saturday.
The 7-11 Bandolero car of the youngest Gresham driver, Charlie Gresham, was running strong when the test was cut short due to a broke motor. This snag puts the crew on a tight timetable as Charlie will be running the Atlanta Motor Speedway road course for the Winter Flurries series this Saturday at noon.
"With his off season testing and the improvements he has made this should be a breakout year for Charlie in the Bandolero," says crew chief Gene Roberts, "It is an exciting time to watch."
Max Gresham will finally get to get behind the wheel of the 7-11 Chevy Monte Carlo Late Model on Saturday the 23rd for testing down at Cordele. At the end of last season the 14 year old showed progress and promise of being a contender for the 2008 Late Model season.
Gresham will be driving the 7-11 Late Model in three separate series this season - Georgia Asphalt Series, ASA Late Model Series and ASA Southeastern Tour Series - that will make for great training to take Max to the next level.
Founded in 1979, Gresham & Associates (www.gresham-inc.com) is a wholesale insurance broker and MGA that specializes in Property, Casualty, Professional, D&O, Health Care, Transportation and Program Business insurance. They are the only wholesaler in the southeast with access to every major specialty MGA and brokerage market. The company has in excess of $400 million in annual premium volume.