HMS Superstar Could Turn Out To Be Chase Elliott’s Kryptonite at Watkins Glen

In the wake of the surprise victor and intense showdown at Indianapolis, fervent fans are eagerly setting their sights on another road course at The Glen. The imminent Watkins race, nestled as the penultimate contest of the regular season, stands as a formidable challenge to secure a playoff spot. While the favored to win is the sport’s beloved golden boy, Chase Elliott, a dual Watkins winner, a significant obstacle looms in the form of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate.

A quick delve into history reveals why Elliott could find it tricky on Sunday. As the anticipation builds to a crescendo, the stage is set for a renewed battle on the demanding and unpredictable terrain of The Glen.

A high-stakes showdown at Watkins could see Chase Elliott struggle against teammate

A tumultuous 2023 season, marked by a fractured foot sidelining him for six races, a race suspension, and on-track misfortunes, has placed Elliott in a dire situation. Without a win so far, salvation lies in securing a victory, with only two races left. The upcoming Glen race stands as NASCAR’s poster boy’s prime opportunity to turn the tide.

Easier said than done, indeed. More so because of his teammate’s impressive record at The Glen. 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson eyes a remarkable third consecutive Glen triumph, adding to his wins in 2021 and 2022.

Yet, the intrigue doesn’t halt there. Rewind to 2022, Larson’s forceful move against Elliott drew a lot of attention. Eventually, the move saw the Georgia-born driver finish fourth and Larson enter the victory lane. While it was a shrewd move, a similar act could not be written off. He could very well turn out to be Elliott’s kryptonite on Sunday.

READ MORE – Chase Elliott Calls Out Hendrick Motorsports as He Reveals What Lost Him the Race

With the 2020 Cup Series champion not having missed on a playoff berth in the last seven seasons, the stakes are sky-high. Watkins promises an intense showdown with Larson posing a massive threat to Elliott’s playoff ambitions. However, the latter’s recent performances are a silver lining ahead of the race in New York.

Chase Elliott’s resurgence: signs of life and optimism

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To tilt the odds in Elliott’s favor, a strategy akin to his recent Indianapolis performance could brighten his prospects. His second-place finish on the demanding road course added to his impressive record, tallying six top-five and nine top-10 finishes this season. These achievements stand as a clear indication of his unyielding commitment and remarkable skill, especially when viewed in the context of his challenging start to the season.

A recent episode of the GoPRNLive podcast, featuring NASCAR expert Alan Cavanna, shines a spotlight on the potential bright prospects for Elliott. Commenting on the recent developments, Cavanna noted, “Signs of life from the 9 team. A few stage points here, better qualifying and then finally on Sunday at Indy.

“Good qualifying and running up front throughout the whole time he’s finally getting the stage points and look what happens though, a new winner.” Cavanna’s assessment reflects a careful optimism, recognizing the noteworthy progress Elliott has demonstrated.

He adds, “That’s the position they’ve worked themselves into where yes, second is good and Watkins Glen and maybe it’s a preview of that, but you can only celebrate it so much because he didn’t get that one extra position. That’s where they find themselves right now. Maybe a little bit too late, but if you’re #9 Fan You have to love what you saw. Even though it was the 2nd place finish. Signs of life.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott Calls Out Hendrick Motorsports Revealing What Lost Him the Race

Heading to Watkins, Elliott would be confident given his strong record. At the same time, it would be interesting to see how Larson approaches the race. Will Larson secure another win, celebrating a 3-year streak? Or, could Elliott triumph, clinching a playoff spot? Let us know in the comments below.