One of the quintessential struggles of a NASCAR season is the battle for the playoffs. While the system in place ranks the best-placed 16 drivers on the grid based on points, wins play a defining role as they more or less guarantee a playoff berth. Because of this, more often than not, we see many drivers in the bubble battle. But it seems that Brad Keselowski will not need to rely on a win to set foot into the playoffs.

Consistently finishing among the frontrunners with 10 top-10s and 5 top-5 to his name, Keselowski has showcased his years of experience and status as a proven veteran on the track. In stark contrast is the season of Chase Elliott, who has yet to secure a win or the points needed to make the cut. The RFK Racing team owner has some words of consolation for Elliott and Co. who could miss out on the final 16 list after the Daytona race.

“It’s a very humbling moment”: Brad Keselowski feels empathetic toward drivers in the playoff battle

The discussion about Elliott missing out on the playoffs gradually unfolded as the season passed. Missing races as a result of a tibia injury in the early stages, the 2020 Cup champion has not found his rhythm so far. In a pre-race interaction with the media, Brad Keselowski implied that the sport can be harsh on drivers in many ways and the battle for playoffs is one of them.

“Well, I’ve been there too. I’ve missed the playoffs in 2013, I think, and then, of course, last year in 2022,” said the 2012 Cup champion.

“It stinks for you, but the sport’s moved on. It does. It’s just like you weren’t even there and you know, it’s a very humbling moment when you miss the playoffs when you’ve had years of success. So I have a lot of empathy for whether be Chase or some other guys outside,” Brad sympathized with the drivers having to toil outside of the playoffs bubble.

He then explains that when NASCAR decided to change the playoff qualification system, they also had the exclusion of popular and successful drivers in mind. A system prioritizing merit meant that past success did not play any role in taking them to the other side. If anything, drivers like Elliott missing out on the playoffs will rather be forgotten with time, as the next stage of the competition starts.

“The reality is that these are the moments this system was meant to create, and sometimes it can create those moments whether the sports wants them or the fanbase wants them or not. So you know, that’s just a part of our sport,” said Keselowski, shedding light on the cruel nature of the competition.

Elliott, for his part, knows exactly what is needed of him. During his interactions with the media since he arrived in Indianapolis, he has been talking about how challenging he finds the IMS road course. However, his qualifying race result says otherwise.

“I just want to be in lead”: Chase Elliott on his hopes from Indianapolis

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As things stand, Chase Elliott will have to force his way into the playoffs with a win in the remaining races. To his delight, two of the last three races are on road courses which can be classified as his forte. But as the Hendrick Motorsports’ #9 car has run this season, it doesn’t seem very likely that he can collect a win before Darlington. Speaking about the challenges that stand ahead of him in Indianapolis, he said,

“That place, it doesn’t look like a challenging road course on paper, but for me, it has been. A lot of road courses have a lot of elevation change, hills you’re climbing and descending. Indy is just flat. No elevation to that road course. To me, it makes it very challenging. The flattest road course we go to,” said Elliott speaking to IndyStar.

Read More: “It’s Getting Tougher” – Chase Elliott Still Hopeless Despite Having a Great Qualifying

Talking about the change in approach considering that haste needs to be made with such short time left, he added,

“I just want to be in the lead. If you’re in the lead, that’s the best and safest place to be. I feel good about it. At the end of the day, I’m going to approach each week as prepared as I can be and take advantage of my opportunities. Hopefully, we have one of these upcoming weeks fall our way.”

Sunday’s race will be pivotal in determining whether we will see Chase at Darlington or not. As Brad Keselowski explained, the way the qualification criteria for playoffs have been set, some big names might just miss out.

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