Chase Elliott's playoff chances take major blow after wreck during FireKeepers Casino 400
This is not what Chase Elliott wanted. Starting in the top-10, Elliott found himself wrecking out of this race before the end of Stage 1. Any chance of Elliott making his way into the playoffs on points is effectively over. Now, it is do or die, a win must happen in the final three weeks of the regular season. The NASCAR Playoffs might be out of reach.
Hendrick Motorsports must be in panic mode at this point as far as their No. 9 team is concerned. At this point, it looks like only two of their drivers will be in the postseason. A far cry from where they planned to be at this point in the season.
Chase Elliott is going to have to focus hard and hope that he can get a checkered flag at Indy or Watkins Glen. Chancing things to Daytona is not ideal.
Chase Elliott talked about winning before the race. He knows that if he can’t compete for wins and points, then he has no chance to win a championship. So, what point is the playoffs at that point? If Elliott doesn’t find his way to victory lane in the next three weeks, then this season will be a complete throwaway.
Elliott found himself wrecking soon after Kyle Busch found himself in the wall. Tough day for some of these drivers dealing with the 2-mile long track.
Chase Elliott will turn focus to the road
The Indy Road Couse and Watkins Glen offer Chase Elliott two chances at a win. However, it isn’t going to be so easy. Shane van Gisbergen is coming back to NASCAR after his Chicago victory to race at Indy. He could easily come away with another win. There is also Kamui Kobayashi in the No. 67 for 23XI Racing.
So, that leaves Watkins Glen, then. A track that Elliott has had success at in the past, The Glen could be his last real chance at a checkered flag in 2023, as far as the regular season is concerned.
It feels like Elliott has had speed or has driven well, but never at the same time. This week the speed was there, he drove well to start, and then he lost a left rear and found himself hitting the wall hard. Tough break for Elliott and a tough break for the rest of his team.
Chase Elliott took a hard hit but was fine after the wreck. You hate to see his day end like that with so much on the line.