After facing last year’s troubles, Chase Elliott probably has a tougher skin now. He really needed that strength today at the Quaker State 400 race, where some unfortunate events unfolded. Everything was hunky dory as Elliott paved his way from 16th to 8th by Stage 2. But during a pit stop, the No. 9 Chevy malfunctioned – and put his playoff hopes in jeopardy.

Another last-lap incident ensued and led to a multi-car wreck. These twin instances point to something wrong with the No. 9 car. Yet Elliott chose to lay aside his worry and don some optimistic shades – that led to a good result in Atlanta.

Chase Elliott managed to weather the challenge

For many years, Joe Gibbs Racing cars have faced nagging engine troubles. Now it seems that the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team has gotten infected by JGR, albeit regarding car handling. Chase Elliott lost control of his car during a pit stop at Atlanta Motor Speedway when he inadvertently hit Austin Cindric’s left side. That was followed by Corey LaJoie’s three-wide face-off. And Elliott’s car troubles resumed at the end of the overtime race as well.

Earlier in Sonoma, Chase Elliott used a classic bump-and-run on Ross Chastain on the very last lap, which the fans lauded after the latter spun out Kyle Busch. This race was a little different, though. As Joey Logano cruised to the front to win in Atlanta, a chaotic situation unfolded behind him. It was due to Elliott’s miscalculated intentions to help Chastain. Post-race, the HMS driver explained what happened. “The top lane was fine. I was coming, trying to give Ross a pretty big push which I think was gonna propel.” But then he admitted, “I was too far back.”

Chase Elliott further elucidated his mechanical problems that led to a massive pile-up. “I was too far in to get clear of my lane, advance, and do more. Yeah, I was trying to get to Ross there, and I got hit. You know, I was getting into his bumper. And unfortunately, kind of got him up in the fence. It just checked our momentum.” Despite these risky situations, Elliott finished 8th, so he was happy about that. “It was a solid day, I mean, all things considered, it could’ve been a lot worse.”

However, Elliott and Chastain’s Atlanta story began back in the February race, when Hamlin blamed Chastain for his wrecking tactics.

Elliott’s payback period is yet to end

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The No. 9 Chevy driver’s problems in Atlanta arose back at the Ambetter Health 400 race. But then Ross Chastain appeared to intentionally get into Elliott’s rear, spinning him out on Turn 3. Following that incident, Chase Elliott answered in kind during the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. After Chastain spun out Kyle Busch, Elliott appeared to offer retribution to the Trackhouse Racing driver. Yet today’s Atlanta race appeared to show that Elliott is yet to get over his vengeful mood, although the HMS driver did not claim so.

But it would not be a surprise if the retribution continued – even Denny Hamlin had bashed Chastain for the previous Atlanta wreck. He said on ‘Actions Detrimental’ how crucial it is to give others room in Atlanta. “If you don’t give the guy in front of you room entering the corner, like everyone — in that part of the pack, very little of the field is actually running wide open. Everyone’s lifting a little bit, entering the corner. So you’ve always got to give your competitor a little room for error there, because we’re not at a track like Daytona or Talladega, where everyone’s just stuck and you can enter right on their rear bumper.”

Revenge or no revenge, Chase Elliott regretted his actions in Atlanta recently. Hopefully, he will be able to stave off his car troubles for the upcoming playoff races.