Chase Elliott reacts to 'big one' at Richmond, contact with Kyle Busch that ended his race
For the first time this season, Chase Elliott will post a DNF. Elliott was one of 12 drivers collected in the Lap 198 “big one” in Saturday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.
The wreck was triggered by Kyle Busch getting into the back of Chase Briscoe, stacking up the field behind them in Turn 3. Elliott initially made it through but got tagged by Busch exiting Turn 3. Elliott hit the outside wall head-on. After getting checked out in the infield care center, Elliott addressed the wreck. He said it was clear Busch didn’t know he was on the bottom before he turned left and into him.
“I have no idea what happened still,” Elliott told NBC Sports. “Obviously, I saw them crashing and we were all just stacking up trying to get stopped and then after the wreck was over, I thought we were done wrecking and was just trying to squeak by. Guess somebody didn’t know I was down there. Kyle just didn’t know I was to the left.
“… We were through there at a decent rate and unfortunately Kyle didn’t know we were on the bottom. Had a good start to the night and it just slowly unraveled until it fell apart. Hopefully we can go on a better stretch starting next week.”
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Chase Elliott loses more ground in regular season championship race
It’s unfortunate for Elliott, who had been running well up until the accident. He’s managed to stay out of trouble all season long, but there was nothing he could do here.
Elliott came into the race 42 points below Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron in the points standings. Byron is still in the race — running just outside the top 15 — so that could be it in the race for the regular season championship, even with one more race (Daytona) to go.
Elliott finished 26th last Sunday at Watkins Glen, his first finish of the season outside the top 20. With a DNF at Richmond, he’ll look to gain some positive momentum at Daytona before gearing up for the playoffs.