USA Today via Reuters
Oct 16, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 16, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Following the NASCAR Cup race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, poor old Chase Elliott endured a rough day. The 2020 Cup Series champion could only muster 21st place in the race and spoke about it afterwards. In his words, he did a really bad job and was obviously missing something. Looking ahead to the next race at Homestead-Miami, Elliott admitted that he needed to re-evaluate himself.
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However, many fans were not convinced that this was the case. They believe that the fault mostly lay with crew chief Alan Gustafson and a poor strategy. In a similar vein, they praised Elliott for trying to take the blame for himself and protecting the team. Even when the car under him is not so fast, the #9 driver will always think that he was at fault.
How did NASCAR fans react to Chase Elliott and his actions?
Many fans knew that this weekend, the #9 Hendrick Motorsports car simply did not have the pace to compete at the front. To make matters worse, he qualified 20th, which placed him smack dab in the midfield. So it was always going to be a chore for him to try and make his way to the front.
Translation, "Alan did a really bad job obviously missing something to compete with the guys who know what they're doing. Alan needs to reevaluate himself to have a shot next week."
Chase will always take the blame when this weekend was all on the car.
— JDudesDad (@weallstartwithj) October 16, 2022
That’s what happens when you qualify mid pack. Alan could have tried two tires but that car would have gone backwards so fast. Hamlin and Haley did it and worked well for them. But they had good cars.
— DaBrat (@blizzardmaste) October 16, 2022
Not all on him, but he tends to put it all on himself anyway.
— Merc (@Merc249) October 16, 2022
Admittedly, crew chief Alan Gustafson could have taken a few gambles on the track. However, it could have also been a double-edged sword, because something like taking two fresh tires could have backfired. Though it is worth mentioning that the likes of Denny Hamlin and Justin Haley were able to make that strategy work for them.
Absolutely need to re-evaluate, get some confidence in yourself, and spend a bunch time in the simulator preparing this week. Make sure Alan is with you in the whole process…it’s not just you
— KHarper (@KHarper_CE9Fan) October 16, 2022
Chase fell on the sword for Alan again. When Alan is bad , He is really bad.
— Tim Jones (@TimJone15999582) October 17, 2022
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He’s too nice to throw his crew chief under the bus
— adam howard (@aklahoward) October 17, 2022
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Some people also suggested that when Chase Elliott re-evaluated his own performance, he needed his team with him. The fans advised that he put more simulator time and have crew chief Alan Gustafson with him. One thing was for sure, they did not want the #9 driver to be the fall guy again, if the Hendrick Motorsports team messed up in the future.
WATCH THIS STORY: From Kyle Larson to Denny Hamlin : Chase Elliott’s Most Heated Moments
