“Didn’t Deserve It” – NASCAR Fandom Makes the Kyle Busch Connection After Massive Chase Elliott Update Ahead of Martinsville

It is unfortunate how Chase Elliott was injured while snowboarding and struggled with a fractured tibia earlier in the season. However, the Hendrick Motorsports fans were left ecstatic as the #9 confirmed his return at Martinsville recently. After missing six Cup Series races, Elliott is back in the running. While it has amazed the fans, they couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Kyle Busch in a certain fashion.

During Elliott‘s absence, Josh Berry drove for five races and Jordan Taylor was brought in to drive his #9 specifically for the road course race at the Circuit of The Americas. Interestingly, Berry had a decent run, and he was runner-up at Richmond Raceway. However, the #9 Chevy will be cheered for a lot more now that the fan-favorite Chase Elliott is back.

Can Chase Elliott achieve what Kyle Busch did with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015?

For the Hendrick Motorsports faithful, it is not just Chase Elliott who’s returning. The #9 car crew chief, Alan Gustafson is also making a comeback after serving his four-week suspension following the illegal modifications of the hood louvers at Phoenix Raceway. So now, the 2020 Cup Series winning combination is back in Martinsville.

It is certainly great news for the sport and HMS, especially when NASCAR has granted Elliott a medical waiver to remain eligible for the championship. This makes it difficult for the fans to not draw comparisons with Kyle Busch’s 2015 run.

In 2015, Busch got injured prior to the Cup season opener in Daytona while participating in the Daytona Xfinity Series race. He suffered a serious injury to both his feet, putting his entire 2015 campaign in disarray.

However, the then Joe Gibbs Racing driver was granted a medical waiver like Elliott despite missing the first 11 races. What happened next was phenomenal as Busch rallied on to win five of the remaining 25 races, registering an emphatic Cup Series title win, the first of his career.

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As mind-blowing a comeback as it was, many fans are hoping the same from Elliott. In comparison to Busch, the 27-year-old has more races left. However, not everyone shares the same emotion.

Fans expect Elliott to make a Kyle Busch-like comeback

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Certainly, Chase Elliott has the potential to achieve what Kyle Busch did in 2015. However, fans have varied observations when it comes to this comparison.

In fact, many feel that despite the similarity, Kyle Busch was treated harshly while Elliott has largely been supported by the public. One of the fans even pointed out that Rowdy was deprived of the credit for deserving the championship win back in 2015.

At the same time, some fans looked more than convinced of Elliott pulling off Busch’s 2015 feat.

While there is no doubt about Elliott’s talent, it is important to remember that these are different times, especially factoring in the Next Gen cars. However, the HMS racer will have to take it on a race-by-race basis. Where do you think is his best chance to take the checkered? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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