Can Chase Elliott’s Attachment to One of His Father’s Iconic Phrases Help Him Snap out Slump the Way Bill Elliott Did?

While the scene looks grim and bleak for the 2020 Cup Series champion, Chase Elliott, as we head to Pocono Raceway this race week, the Hendrick Motorsports ace gave the community his realistic perspective given the point deficit. Speaking to the media ahead of his Pocono 400, the 27-year-old revealed he is headed in the “right direction” at this stage, mentioning his legendary father’s advice years ago.

The #9 HMS star still needs 60 points from 6 races to make it into the playoffs or keep his championship hopes alive. Reflecting on his sub-par performances in recent weeks, including missing out on the top 10 in New Hampshire for the first time in 5 years, the driver got real about his unsteady situation.

However, Elliott is still optimistic even when he is in dire straits, taking the great Bill Elliott‘s words to heart. But will that be enough? Let’s dive deeper.

From a father to his son, Bill Elliott’s words fuel Chase Elliott’s playoff aspirations

As the NASCAR nation heads to The Tricky Triangle this week, unlike last year, Hendrick Motorsports speedster and 2020 Cup Series champ Chase Elliott has hit rock bottom, or at least it looks that way. Missing the top 10, Elliott finished 13th for the first time in 5 years. With 6 races and 60 points separating him from the playoffs, the 27-year-old shared his take, mentioning his standpoint.

“Like I said, I think last weekend certainly was not very good. The prior two or three weeks before that, I thought were. Did we lead any laps in those events? Probably not. But we were running up front and inside the top five and putting together solid races. So from that standpoint, I think that is a pretty good weekend, in my opinion. If you are in those front two or three rows on the final two or three restarts, I consider that going in the right direction,” said the driver, reflecting on his past performances. 

While the driver is still hopeful of weathering the storm, nothing about his 2023 campaign has been easy. Despite a decent start, an unfortunate snowboarding accident in the month of March sidelined him for 6 races, and a hefty penalty from NASCAR put the HMS camp and its driver on the back foot. And if that’s not enough, his tussle with veteran Denny Hamlin at Charlotte got him a race suspension, leaving him only 6 races to make up the points now.

But like Rocky Balboa idealizing the quote, “it ain’t over, till its over,” Elliott is in good hopes of riding the waves. Taking his old man’s advice to his heart. He said, “So, I think it’s there. It’s just riding the wave. It’s like my dad has said over the years – you just have to ride the wave and continue to put the work in, and it will work itself out.”

This analogy couldn’t be more perfect, as it certainly did well for Bill Elliott, overcoming his bad days and earning him 44 wins across a glorious career spanning over 37 years.

READ MORE: Championship-Less Denny Hamlin Makes Plea to Chase Elliott Fans With Bold Playoff Prediction on the Golden Boy

While the driver is all zoned for Pocono, the fans are venting their frustration on Denny Hamlin, asking him where his championship is despite the veteran handing Elliott a winning chance in the playoffs.

Chase Elliott fans show their hideous side as they mock Denny Hamlin online

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NASCAR’s Favoritism for Their Starboy Worries Denny Hamlin as He Hopes to Survive “Unintended Consequences” at Charlotte

Who has the most wins at Pocono Raceway? Denny Hamlin is the short answer. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s domination of the tricky turns is, in fact, the stuff of legends in NASCAR. While this might be the case, last season’s M&M Fan Appreciation 400 was no less than a whammy for Hamlin, who, despite winning the race, couldn’t collect the trophy.

NASCAR disqualified the #11 car, handing over the win to Chase Elliott after the organization found modified parts on the Toyota post-race. While the HMS driver was lucky enough to get a win, this time around things are far from the same. Though, Elliott is confident about his father’s words, riding the waves, that got Bill Elliott out of his slump back in the day, frustrated #9 fans have come out to his believer, Denny Hamlin, asking him, “Where’s his championship, though?”

Despite the veteran taking sarcastic jabs, the 42-year-old still believed in his Charlotte adversary, predicting him to make it into the playoffs with flying colors with a win. But, HMS fans did not take this into consideration as they mocked the veteran online, brutally. They called out the veteran, mentioning his last year’s disqualification.

Will the organization’s golden boy make it, abiding by his father’s advice, or will he sink to the bottom, getting caught by the waves instead of riding them? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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