“A Lot Can Be Forgiven…” – Chase Elliott Will Not Jeopardize His Relationship With Rick Hendrick After Disappointing Season

Despite the mammoth pressure to make the playoffs, Hendrick Motorsports‘ star driver Chase Elliott fell short by 3 spots at Daytona. While Elliott missed 6 races due to an unfortunate accident, his absence mounted more pressure on him as the whole community’s expectations, at the very least, for him to qualify for the post-season. As we zoom past the eventful race at Daytona to reach “too tough to tame” Darlington, the spotlight is yet again on the #9 driver. But this time around, things are a bit different.

Though Elliott missed the window to spear into the playoffs, all is not said and done and there’s still a glimmer of hope for the driver to make amends to his boss, Rick Hendrick.

Will Darlington be Chase Elliott’s last chance to make up for his miserable 2023 campaign? Most probably!

For ardent NASCAR fans and HMS fanatics, Chase Elliott missing the playoff 16 was more than what they could chew. This was the first time NASCAR’s golden boy missed out the playoffs in his 8 seasons in NASCAR’s top-tier division, thus making this a huge deal for HMS and his #9 team.

While an unexpected accident triggered the avalanche with increasing points deficits for the driver, his inability to capitalize on the given opportunity and poor race strategy only added to the trouble. And eventually, everything caught up to the driver at Daytona, which was his final shot. Though the driver managed a top 5 finish, it simply wasn’t enough to cover up for the lost points.

And finally, the 2020 Cup Series champion’s worst nightmare came true as he missed his first-ever playoff. However, all is not lost for Elliott. As the Cup Series is headed to Darlington, Elliott will have another shot to make up to his boss, Mr. H, for his agonizing 2023 campaign by handing him the owner’s championship.

While NASCAR nation was busy discussing the playoff favorites, former HMS crew chief Steve Letarte explained how the race gives him a chance to make amends for his disappointing season. Though the #9 driver is out of the playoff bubble, the #9 is not out of the owner’s contention, and this is what Letarte wanted to point out.

He said, “Hendrick Motorsports could win the owners championship with the #9, the #24 or the #5.” He then made his point, saying, “So do you think Chase (Elliott) cares a little because the guy that pays him cares? I think that after you’ve laid an egg and missed it for your owner, you’d be like Rick (Hendrick) knows they are trying, he is not mad about it, I say lay an egg but I mean he’s out with an injury and there’s all these things, a lot can be forgiven if you deliver a big cheque.” 

READ MORE: Outlawed Ross Chastain Mimics Chase Elliott As He Delivers Heartbreaking News to Fans

While Letarte pretty much handed Elliott a chance, his associate Chopper wasn’t convinced to see the #9 Chevy do anything spectacular.

Letarte picks his tier 1 for “too tough to tame” Darlington

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Darlington, or as they call it “The Lady in Black,” might seem like your regular track, but don’t be fooled by the 1.3-mile circuit because it’s as fierce and nasty as they come. The track over the years has garnered an infamous reputation for being a challenge, devouring most of the playoff contenders in a go.

The old surface, together with the track’s peculiar shape has even the most expert teams and drivers sweating. Pre-planned pit strategy is just not an option here, with the old tarmac shredding the rubber within laps, prompting the driver to pit and often causing critical errors.

His associate professor named his picks and Letarte agreed with it, as the numbers also said the same. He said, “Tier 1 (Martin) Truex (Jr) -2-time Darlington winner, Denny Hamlin – 4-time Darlington winner, William Byron won there in the spring, and Kyle Larson.” 

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott apologizes to Rick Hendrick and team for losing, after being confused by HMS’ decision 

With that being said, the NBC commentator and analyst got straight down to business with his picks, agreeing with the names as Professor gave his tier 1 picks of who has got the most chance. Unsurprisingly, the top 4 picks had 2 of the most experienced of the lot with 2 JGR veterans and the consistent HMS duo of Byron and Larson to ace the vicious track.