In a heartbreaking turn of events, NASCAR’s beloved driver, Chase Elliott, faced a major setback at Watkins Glen. Known for his exceptional skills at the winding turns of a road course. Elliott’s race took a nosedive as a fuel miscalculation dashed his chances of victory and playoff qualification.

Racing for the #9 Napa Chevrolet team for Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott’s pursuit of victory was cut short when he ran out of fuel on lap 55. This unfortunate incident not only shattered his hopes of triumph. But also pushed him further away from securing a spot in the playoffs. With a must-win situation ahead, Elliott faces a daunting challenge in the upcoming race at Daytona.

Chase Elliott is now almost out of playoff contentions after the fuel mishap at Watkins Glen

Chase Elliott’s race at Watkins Glen turned from promising to disappointing due to a fuel mishap that left him stranded on the track. The once-strong contender who climbed up to P7 from P15 found himself trapped a lap down, plummeting down to 32nd place. This incident has potentially ruled out Elliott from the playoff contention. Leaving him in a precarious position as he heads to Daytona for his last opportunity in a must-win situation.

The radio communication between Elliott and his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, paints a vivid picture of the tense moments leading up to the mishap, highlighting the frustration and disappointment shared by the team.

Informing about the switch the drivers use for reserve fuel, Eliott informed his crew chief. “I just hit it [the switch]. I just hit it.” Soon after that, crew chief Gustafson came on the radio. “Copy. You’ll pass me twice now. You’re gonna pit this time. This time. We’ll get you a drink.” A few moments later, Chase Elliott informed Gustafson that he was sputtering. Gustafson came back over the radio and told Elliott that they had “F**king bad information.”

Elliott then told him that he was out of gas, “I’m on [turn] two. I’m out of gas.” A frustrated Gustafson told Elliott, “I know. Just come to us whenever you can. It’s f*cking wrong information.”

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Elliott’s recent fuel debacle at Watkins Glen has left him teetering on the brink of playoff elimination. Now, his quest for redemption hinges on Daytona International Speedway, which he thinks will be far from easy to get a win there.

Chase Elliott’s last gamble at the Daytona International Speedway

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The race at Watkins Glen brought not only disappointment, but also a sense of urgency for Chase Elliott. With his playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the upcoming race at Daytona is his last chance to clinch a victory before the playoffs commence. However, the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s realistic outlook on the challenge at hand draws parallels to a Vegas jackpot. Despite the track’s significance, Elliott’s past performance at Daytona has yet to yield a victory. As he faces the uphill battle to secure a playoff spot, Elliott’s journey underscores the unpredictable nature of NASCAR and the determination it takes to prevail.

Elliott was asked ahead of Watkins Glen about the prospects of a must-win situation at Daytona. He candidly spoke about what it means to expect a win at Daytona. “To show up there and be in a must-win situation is like going to Vegas and having to hit the nearest slot machine for the jackpot. That’s just silly.“

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As the final race of the regular season approaches, Chase Elliott finds himself at a crossroads, where his skill and resilience will be put to the ultimate test. Whether he can overcome the odds and secure victory at Daytona remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Elliott’s journey in NASCAR continues to captivate fans and keep them on the edge of their seats.

Do you think Chase Elliott can get the elusive Daytona win when he needs it the most? Slide in your Daytona predictions in the comments section below.