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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Daytona 500 Feb 19, 2023 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott 9 during driver introductions before the start of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Daytona International Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexDinovox 20230219_mcd_ad4_16
via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Daytona 500 Feb 19, 2023 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott 9 during driver introductions before the start of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Daytona International Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexDinovox 20230219_mcd_ad4_16
Chase Elliott fans were treated with a piece of fantastic news recently—he will be back in action this weekend. The 2020 Cup Series champion had been sidelined since his snowboarding accident on March 3 in which he got his leg fractured. As a result, he missed a total of six races this season, so his work is cut out for him. Of course, fans are thrilled to see the #9 driver back behind the wheel once again. However, one has to wonder how Elliott will make up lost ground after missing six races.
I am kind of surprised Chase Elliott is returning at Martinsville, to be honest.
It will be a tough race for Elliott. I view it as one more opportunity to win a race because I highly doubt he makes the 2023 playoffs on points alone.
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) April 12, 2023
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According to some, racing at the Martinsville Speedway could be a tall order. However, many are confident that he can still reach the Playoffs. After all, one of the criteria is to win a race to automatically qualify. Considering that Hendrick Motorsports is one of the strongest teams, he is definitely not a weak contender despite the injury. He has won at Martinsville in the past, so it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility.
NASCAR fans have several theories about Chase Elliott and his Playoff chances
Many supporters are fairly confident of Elliott reaching the Playoffs as he received the best of care while in recovery. As per WCNC Charlotte, he was recovering at the Steadman Clinic, which is a US Olympic National Medical Center. With a top-caliber clinic looking after him, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be back on his feet very soon.
Obliviously you're unaware of how athletes recover from injuries, Chase was cared for at one of the top US Olympic centers in CO. I doubt anyone makes Playoffs on points alone! Will take 2 Wins to guar a playoff berth!
— Jessie Collins (@JessieLC24) April 12, 2023
Correct me if I’m wrong, the only way he can make the Playoffs is if he wins a race. Because he did not compete in every event he cant be the Reg Season Champ nor can he qualify for the playoffs on points, must be a win
— Jason Wunder (@jwun21) April 13, 2023
I am surprised too!!
— Debi 💕 🇺🇸 (@marrimani) April 12, 2023
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Fans understand that the only way that Elliott could sneak into the Playoffs is if he won a race. In fact, it is fairly impossible or highly improbable for him to qualify based on points. Furthermore, his chance of being the regular season champion is out of the question because of the six missed races. To be in contention for the regular season, he had to have competed in all races.
if he performs like he’s in a Hendrick car, as he should. There is no way he won’t be in the points picture
18 races left…
— Brayden (@braydens_picks) April 12, 2023
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He’ll have only missed 6 races. I don’t think it’s completely out of the question
— AJ Helotie 🎱 🥐 (@RowdyBusch8) April 13, 2023
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However, a lot of people have faith that Elliott can win a race or two. After all, they know that there are still 18 races left before the Playoffs, so there is plenty of time for Chase Elliott to redeem himself. Furthermore, if Kyle Busch can miss 11 races and still win the 2015 Cup Series championship, there is hope for Elliott.
