Gresham Has Emotional Day At GMP World Crown 300
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Griffin, GA (November 17, 2009) – Max Gresham was disappointed after finishing second in the 26th-Annual World Crown 300 Sunday, so when the news came his Gresham Motorsports 7-11 racer was disqualified for a post-race technical violation, the news wasn’t all that devastating.
“We had a great race,” said Gresham. “I wanted to win so badly, not only because it was the World Crown 300, but because it was the first race at our family-owned race track. We did everything we could to win and I am very proud of our effort. There were 38 cars in this race and we beat all but one of them. Sure, it was disappointing to have a problem in tech and have our great run disqualified, but the real disappointment was not winning in the first place.”
Gresham had a solid effort from the drop of the green flag on the three-day racing spectacular. The 16-year-old high school junior student qualified 11th in Saturday’s Monolith Companies Pole Position Qualifying with a lap of 16.472 seconds (109.276 miles per hour average), well below the previous track record on the former Peach State Speedway.
At the drop of the green flag, Gresham quickly started to work his way to the front of the pack only to have his progress slowed when he was ordered to pit road for an apparent mechanical problem.
“We got caught a lap down because they thought we had a rear end leak,” said Gresham. “Our car was on a rail and we were as fast as or faster than most everyone out there all day. Fortunately, we were able to drive back on to the lead lap and contend for the win at the end of the race.”
Now back on track, Gresham raced his way back on to the lead lap and took over the top spot on Lap 243. The winner of two American Speed Association feature events this season then staged a furious battle with Augie Grill and Jeff Choquette much to the delight of the full house crowd attending the inaugural event at the totally renovated Gresham Motorsports Park oval.
“Augie is a great competitor and I was doing everything I could to keep him behind me,” said Gresham. “Both he and Jeff raced me hard and clean, so I have to thank them for that. Everyone put on an awesome race.”
Grill was the first contender to fall aside when he fell out of the event with transmission problems. That left the race to the checkered flag to Gresham and Choquette with Choquette slipping by for the lead at Lap 277. Try as he might, Gresham wasn’t able to return the favor over the final 20 circuits giving him an apparent runner-up finish.
Later, even when his effort was negated in post-race tech inspection, Gresham had nothing but praise for the event and the new track.
“Honestly, I have to thank everyone for a great event,” said Gresham. “I was so proud to be a part of it and I have to thank everyone from my grandfather, who made the investment in area racing by rebuilding this track, to Dan Elliott and all the staff who put on this race. It was an emotional day for my family and our extended GMP family. They all did a great job and I can’t wait to come back here and race in the World Crown 300 next year.”
Gresham will be looking to add another prestigious title to his racing resume when he travels to Pensacola, FL and the famed Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway. That event is scheduled for Sunday, December 6.
For information about sponsorship/partnering with Max Gresham and Gresham Motorsports, please contact Tony Gresham at tgresham@greshaminc.com.