Chase Elliott Unmasks Brutal Reality of His Playoff Dud in Just 2 Words

For Chase Elliott, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series was an aberration in what has been a fantastic career. The 27-year-old failed to make it through to the playoffs for the first time since making his full-time debut in the Cup in 2016. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had suffered a serious leg injury earlier in the season which forced him to sit out for a number of races. Since coming back, he has not been at his best as was evident by his on-track results.

Despite not making it through to the last 16, Elliott still has a job on his hands. He is not in contention for the driver’s championship but he will drive for the owner’s championship. Rick Hendrick is putting a lot of faith in the 27-year-old former Cup Series champion to win him the title despite not having the best of seasons. But the pressure is certainly a lot less on Elliott than it was in the weeks leading up to the playoffs.

Chase Elliott’s Injury Ruined His 2023 Season

Ever since he made his debut in 2016, Chase Elliott has taken the NASCAR world by storm. He is one of the most gifted drivers on the track and has already won one Cup Series championship. Until 2023, there has never been a single season where the 27-year-old has failed to make the playoffs.

And one would imagine that would not have been the case had Elliott not fractured his left leg earlier in the season. That caused him to miss six races and he was suspended from another one. So in total, he had seven fewer races than the rest of the field.

Coming back from an injury as serious as a leg fracture isn’t the easiest thing in the world either. Obviously, it was going to take him some time to fully be at his 100% and perform at the highest level.

Despite all of these issues, Elliott came mighty close to defying the odds and qualifying for the playoffs at Indianapolis earlier this season where he finished in second place.

But according to Chase, none of that matters. The only drivers people really care about are the ones in the playoffs, which is indeed true. However, he still is looking forward to fighting for Rick Hendrick in a bid to win the owner’s championship.

“The car is still in the points and it has significant meaning to advance the vehicle and the number through the rounds if you can. No one’s gonna talk about that much you know, because, if you’re not in the driver’s, it’s irrelevant, right, to most of the outside public,” the #9 HMS driver said in a recent interview.

After a disappointing season, Chase Elliott has a point to prove, to himself and his boss Rick Hendrick. His car will be solely fighting for the owner’s championship which will allow him to drive more freely than he was in the last few races. 

The 27-year-old will be crucial to Hendrick’s aspirations and NASCAR insider Steve Letarte believes that it will give Chase the perfect platform to redeem himself in the eyes of his employer.

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On a recent episode of the Dirty Mo Dough, Letarte was discussing what role Elliott will play in the last few races of the season considering that he was not in the playoffs.

Elliott’s main focus will obviously be the owner’s championship and after a disappointing season, he will look to make amends to his employer, Rick Hendrick.

“Hendrick Motorsports could win the owners championship with the #9, the #24 or the #5…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,” he said.

Elliott’s inclusion in the field will certainly make things interesting. Chase is one of the most talented drivers on the grid and he has it well in his capability to come out of nowhere and win a race, making things very difficult for the drivers in the playoffs.

Do you think Chase Elliott will win a race this season? Let us know your thoughts.

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