Amid Chase Elliott’s Embarrassing Road Course Streak, Underdog Denny Hamlin Deals Massive Blow to HMS Legend’s Prophecy

Despite being a favorite in road courses, the 2020 Cup champ and renowned road racing expert, Chase Elliott has yet again failed to deliver the hype riding on him. While his latest rival and veteran, Denny Hamlin proved his mettle, making it across the line the fastest during qualifying, the #9 driver faded into oblivion after he crashed into the barrier head-first, ending his qualifying run.

But what made the community prance from their seats was the sequence of events that got them stunned. As mentioned above, despite being a heavy favorite on road courses, the bettor’s favorite #9 driver, Elliott who was the top pick quickly hit a rough patch when he crashed his way out of the qualifying session, prompting netizens to vent their disappointment online as they dubbed him, “too passive.”

Betting favorite becomes “passive” as the underdog, Denny Hamlin trumps his rival, Chase Elliott during qualifying at Chicago

2023 certainly hasn’t been the best for Hendrick Motorsports speedster, Chase Elliott. After returning to the tracks from his snowboarding accident in early March, the driver got to make up for the lost points as he was out of contention, sidelined for 6 races.

Though, he made a statement, announcing his return to the Cup schedule at Martinsville, finishing the race 10th, the 2020 champion is yet to pick his first win of the season. Most of the analytics indicate Elliott’s road racing prowess and his record of 7 road course victories in the Cup Series as a major factors favoring him over the rest of the roster. But the fans were shocked to realize their +500 favorite slowly fading into oblivion and seeing him crash out after a significant slip.

Despite being a heavy +500 favorite and a phenom on the road, Elliott hasn’t been his former self. As per Vegas bookmaker, Mica Roberts, pointed out the not-so-great statistics of Elliott, heading into the race. Reflecting on the driver’s struggle with the Next-Gen platform, he said, “He hasn’t won in his last 10 road races, including seven with the NextGen car,” and Roberts’ conclusion perfectly summarizes Elliott’s dire position. “While it might make sense that NASCAR’s main character wins on a new street circuit, I just haven’t seen it from him yet with the new car,” said Roberts.

READ MORE: “I Am Not Good”—Heartbroken Chase Elliott Admits Defeat Hours Ahead of the Race in Chicago

Whereas his latest rival and veteran of the sport, Denny Hamlin who is widely considered a short track guy and a speedway expert, not only blew away the competition with a stellar performance during qualifying, coming home the fastest and clinching the pole position but the qualifying run boosted him past his own driver, Tyler Reddick who won the road course at COTA and HMS ace, Chase Elliott in the bookie charts.

Fans get on the offensive as the betting favorite crashes his way out of qualifying while the veteran underdog surges past the favorites

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As we head into another exciting race week to NASCAR’s first-ever street course in its long 75 years of captivating the fans, betting favorite, Chase Elliott is clearly on the wrong foot here. Despite being a heavy favorite, even earning praise from former HMS crew chief, Steve Letarte who said, “I think Chase Elliott has the right mindset,“ the driver clearly struggled on the bumpy surface until he lost control, nipping the side wall before crashing headfirst into the barrier.

Though the HMS driver ended his day dreadfully, you just cannot write off the 2020 champ much like the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Denny Hamlin who roared past the competition literally putting the whole roster to the test as he became the fastest to complete NASCAR’s first ever street course, even trumping his own driver, and road racing sensation, Tyler Reddick.

As NBC’s statistics showed the odds for Elliott, his qualifying run just hours after NBC’s tweet showcased the truly unpredictable nature of the sport as fans called out Elliott for his slump while the fastest around the track, Hamlin missed out on the list.

Soon, frustrated fans’ comments started pouring in, even HMS fans did not hesitate to express the obvious.

“I’m a fan of Chase but I haven’t seen the performance necessary to deserve being the favorite. Here’s to hoping he can #di9 through what is surely to be a disaster of a race track.”

“I am a huge fan of Chase but I totally disagree. He’s to passive and not aggressive enough…..”

While another fan expressed his thoughts bluntly.

“Dude hasn’t won on a road course since 2021, but let’s make him the favorite!”

Mentioning his teammate, Kyle Larson, and Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez‘s blistering pace, a user commented,

“Dude slapped the wall during qualifying I highly doubt he’ll win considering Larson and Suarez have been very fast”

Whereas another fan also disliked Elliott still being a favorite even after his lackluster performances.

“Dude hasn’t won at a road course since 2020 why is he a favorite?”

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott takes swift action after picture with Olivia Dunne triggered “new girlfriend” speculations

However, though, you simply can’t ignore Elliott’s skill and focus. And his returning race at Martinsville is a perfect example of the driver’s will. Coming back to finish the race 10th from a serious injury certainly is a glorious feat. What do you think will the veteran, Hamlin, etch his name into history, becoming the first ever to win NASCAR’s first-ever street course? Or will the road racing experts seize the moment?