NASCAR fans are known for their passionate support of their favorite drivers and their willingness to voice their opinions on social media. Recently, a tweet from Lionel Racing, one of the leading die-cast manufacturers in the industry, sparked a fierce backlash from fans.
The tweet in question read, “Pre-orders are open for the No. 9 Chase Elliott NAPA/Valvoline die-cast, the same look you saw bring home a Top 5 finish at Sonoma!” While die-casts are typically reserved for race winners or notable accomplishments, the decision to celebrate a Top 5 finish for Chase Elliott triggered a wave of criticism.
Pre-orders are open for the No. 9 Chase Elliott NAPA/ Valvoline die-cast, the same look you saw bring home a Top 5 finish at Sonoma!
➡️ https://t.co/dc2STUQACY pic.twitter.com/71ic3jDjNx
— Lionel Racing (@Lionel_Racing) June 16, 2023
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Chase Elliott’s struggle for relevance
Examining Elliott‘s position in the standings sheds light on the reasons behind the disappointment. Currently sitting 27th in the standings, Elliott finds himself a staggering 84 points behind his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, who occupies the crucial 16th and final postseason spot. This substantial deficit can be attributed to Elliott’s absence from seven of the 16 Cup races this season.
However, when Elliott has been on the track, his performance has been relatively consistent, barring two DNFs. In the seven races where he crossed the start/finish line, he has achieved top-10 finishes in five, including three top-five finishes.
Despite the challenges he faces, there is a glimmer of hope for the HMS ace. Historically, he tends to excel during this time of the year, with seven of his 18 career wins occurring between races 16 and 26 on the Cup Series schedule. Last season, he embarked on a remarkable five-race streak of 1-2 finishes, propelling him to the 2022 regular-season title.
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Chase Elliott-related marketing gimmick deemed “pathetic”
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Elliott’s struggle to compete at the level expected of a past Cup Series champion has left NASCAR fans frustrated and unimpressed. The celebration of a top-5 finish as a significant achievement through the release of a die-cast car only added fuel to the fire.
The fan reactions to Lionel Racing’s tweet were nothing short of scathing. One fan sarcastically remarked, “We really making diecast for Top 5?s now? ?” Another added, “Chase?s season is so sad that they’re out here celebrating top 5s as diecast-worthy events like he won or something lmao.” The sentiment was clear: fans found it utterly pathetic that a top 5 finish would be considered an accomplishment worthy of celebration.
One of the particularly stinging comments read, “Chase Elliott could sh*t himself and Lionel would waste no time turning it into a diecast.”
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How it feels to buy yet another boring chase Elliott 1/24 pic.twitter.com/1tzMWx8OWA
— JeffBenzos14111 (@benzos14111) June 16, 2023
The frustration with Chase Elliott’s performance was not limited to the die-cast celebration. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction with his underwhelming season, with one comment simply stating, “Pathetic.” It seems that fans are growing tired of Elliott’s lackluster results and are yearning for a more competitive performance from the eighth-year veteran.
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As the season progresses, Elliott finds himself in unfamiliar territory, needing to deliver exceptional performances to secure a playoff spot. Whether he can rise to the occasion or succumb to the mounting pressure remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the expectations for Chase Elliott are far from being met.