Despite the Waiver, Chase Elliott’s Stand-By Could Eliminate His Playoff Eligibility

Apr 14, 2023 | 8:05 AM EDT

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The NASCAR season is well underway, but for 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, a snowboarding accident in Colorado had him sidelined for a couple of races. As Elliott gears up to return to the track this weekend, questions loom regarding his playoff chances.

In the wake of Elliott’s injury, Hendrick Motorsports brought in talented driver Josh Berry as a replacement. With Elliott finally set to resume racing, fans eagerly anticipate his comeback at the upcoming Martinsville race.

Despite his impending return, the points deficit Elliott faces raises questions about his ability to secure a spot in this year’s playoffs. Additionally, concerns have emerged regarding whether Berry standing in for Elliott could potentially jeopardize his playoff chances altogether this season.

Navigating the 2023 playoff maze for Chase Elliott

Throughout his Cup Series career, Elliott has consistently qualified for the playoffs each season. However, this year could mark a departure from that trend, given the number of races he’s missed. Amid the speculation, renowned journalist Bob Pockrass recently shared that while Elliott is tentatively scheduled to race at Martinsville, Berry remains on standby as a backup.

I assume the same playoff rules are in play like when Suarez subbed for Hocevar last year? Meaning if Chase starts the race, but Berry finishes and wins it doesn't count for Elliott's playoff eligibility?
— Mike Orzel (@mike_orzel) April 13, 2023

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Meanwhile, one fan pointed out, “…if Chase starts the race, but Berry finishes and wins it doesn’t count for Elliott’s playoff eligibility?“

We have seen this happen before when Daniel Suarez took up the wheel for Carson Hocevar.

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As anticipation builds for Elliott’s return, all eyes will be on the former champion to see if he can overcome the odds and continue his impressive playoff streak.

What do the latest playoff rules suggest for Elliott?

As per the latest rules, in order to qualify for the playoffs, a driver must participate in every race during the season or receive a playoff waiver in the event of an unexpected absence. As long as these conditions are met, any victory will contribute to the driver’s playoff eligibility.

With a victory in one of the 18 remaining races needed for playoff qualification, Elliott now seemingly faces a smoother path. However, he currently trails Noah Gragson by 42 points. But he is expected to rise through the rankings with ease.

Considering Elliott’s undeniable talent, securing a single win this season should not pose a significant challenge. Although, another crucial factor to weigh is the limited availability of playoff spots, with only 16 positions up for grabs. If, for instance, 16 different cars claim victory this season, Elliott’s path to the playoffs may become more complicated.

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Elliott might require more than one win this year

Interestingly, just last year, the regular season witnessed over 16 unique winners at various races. Coupled with the introduction of next-gen cars, which has led to even tighter competition on the track, the likelihood of a similar scenario unfolding this year is quite plausible.

Consequently, the Hendrick Motorsports driver may need to secure more than one win to guarantee his playoff berth.

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Ultimately, as the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how Chase Elliott navigates these potential obstacles in his quest for a playoff spot. Will he manage to overcome the odds and deliver multiple victories, or will the pressure to perform prove to be too great? Only time will tell, as NASCAR fans eagerly await the thrilling conclusion to this captivating story.