Consistency is a key aspect and indispensable part of every sport that athletes struggle with. And this season in the Cup Series, its 2020 champion, Chase Elliott, is caught in a rut. In fact, 2023 has been a rough ride for the Hendrick Motorsports ace driver. As we head to the conclusion of the schedule’s second leg, the champ is still chasing his first win, searching in the dark, and finishing outside the top 10 at 12th in NHMS.

Despite the high hopes riding on the 27-year-old, his New Hampshire performance on Monday got even NASCAR veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. to bite his tongue. As we head to another exciting playoff, the playoff bubble discussion is back on, and Elliott’s past race made Dale Jr. go back on his word, prompting him to say, “I was a believer” in him.

Elliott’s poor NHMS run leaves Dale Jr skeptical about his playoff chances

Now, one thing is all the more certain: even if Elliott makes it into the playoffs, the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro driver just cannot emulate his past season’s dominating performance. While the speedster was coming off a glorious 5-win season, leading 857 laps and racking up 31 playoff points, the most of any driver. His 2023 season is nothing but a disaster, with an average start of 18.7, the worst of his career.

Though Chase Elliott missed six races due to his unfortunate accident, along with a one-race suspension for allegedly wrecking veteran Denny Hamlin at the Coca-Cola 600, the #9 Chevy’s inability to carry speed has been widely criticized. Speaking on his popular Dale Jr Download podcast series, JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Jr. reflected on the driver’s slump while mentioning the “playoff bubble.”

“So, Chase Elliott, I was a firm believer that he can point his way in but this past weekend he didn’t do anything to help himself gain on, he actually gained nothing, he was even, he left the race, he came in -60, he left -60 and dude its now, he now needs just, more than just over 10 points a race, tall order,” said the veteran out of disappointment. 

The 48-year-old, citing Elliott’s drop in performance, got real about the situation, saying, “So to consistently gain that average in 6 races, he’s, I just don’t see the performance, I know they can, I know they are good, he’s champion but I think even he has to feel like it’s win or its all or nothing, right?”

READ MORE: “That Opens up for Bubba [Wallace]”: 1999 Cup Champ Makes a Bold Prediction That Could Crush Chase Elliott’s Pocono Hopes

With the “bubble tight as ever,” as Dale Jr. puts it, the competition is as fierce as it ever was. Though Dale Jr. goes back on his word, negating the chance of seeing the #9 driver in the playoffs, Elliott’s latest rival and fellow veteran, Denny Hamlin, too, changes his mind but still comes out with a bold prediction.

With the “bubble tight as ever,” Hamlin is still a Chase Elliott believer

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“Chase Elliott is gonna make it,“ was what veteran Denny Hamlin had to say about his Charlotte adversary. With six more races to go in the playoffs this season, the 42-year-old still believes that Elliott’s best is yet to come. He even cited two significant areas where he will excel. Mentioning the road course at Watkins Glen, Hamlin explained why he made such a bold prediction.

“The reason I was so adamant about Chase Elliott being able to make it on point is because he is a guy who can get 50 in a race and we have 2 road courses coming up, he has won there, Watkins Glen many times he could put a 50 spot up easily so he can in races do what the 16the place guy does in 4 races,” said Hamlin.

He then adds to his point, saying, “He didn’t do me any favor, that’s for sure, he still makes it, I’m gonna die on this hill, Chase Elliott is still gonna make it but I think it’s gonna be because he wins.” 

While still believing in NASCAR’s golden boy, Chase Eliott, Hamlin, being Hamlin, didn’t let the opportunity go to waste as he took some sarcastic jabs at HMS fans.

“Chase Elliott fans, let’s hold hands, we’re going, we’re gonna unite and we’re gonna will this thing to happen for you guys. Let’s just, trust me, they are saying prayers for him,” said the 23XI Racing co-owner, making a parody of Elliott fans.

WATCH THIS STORY: Bubba Wallace agrees with Chase Elliott as they point out one glaring issue with NASCAR