Nothing else can go wrong in Chase Elliott’s life at this juncture. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has witnessed the worst of circumstances, in his seven years of Cup Series career. The 2023 season for Elliott was stunted for diverse reasons, beginning with a broken tibia and followed by a race suspension. Nevertheless, the driver had shown signs of rebounding in the races where he had made his appearance and steadily climbed up the points table.
However, the No.9 Chevrolet still staggers behind and is still short of a victory that can ensure his playoff fate. With just three races left in the regular season, it is apparent that self-doubt has crept into the mind of the driver. This was evident from the words of Elliott even after a favorable qualifying on the track of Indianapolis, ahead of the main race on Sunday.
Chase Elliott reveals his hopelessness even after a favorable qualifying
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The 2020 Cup Series champion had a definite shot at notching a victory on the track of Michigan, especially after beginning the race from the front end of the field. However, the hope of entering the post-season went up in smoke after his right rear gave way and Elliott slammed against the outside wall. This eventually led the driver to limp back to the pit lanes and call it a day.
Nonetheless, Elliott, who has always been a ‘king of road courses’ does have a slim chance of winning on the tracks of the Brickyard, especially after a conducive qualifying and with the eligibility of beginning at the third position for Sunday’s main event. The driver, who is 55 points below the cut line and in desperate need of a win, recorded a speed of 99.399 mph during the qualifying session.
However, it is evident that the favorable position has failed to excite Elliott, as the stakes seem to rise higher with every passing weekend. With a hint of apprehensiveness in his voice, the No.9 Chevrolet driver revealed to NASCAR, “These things can go all sorts of different ways, but it is nice to have good track position, always. As time has gone on, it’s getting tougher and tougher to pass the leader, especially late in the race.”
He also expressed to Frontstretch, “We are all good. We are just going to keep ourselves at work. That’s the only we know how, so for us we are continuing to go through our process every week and make sure we show up at the racetrack prepared. And when we get there work through it, work through whatever challenge is ahead of us as we make these progressions, and make sure that we are extracting all the information that we need to get myself included to if we don’t have a good weekend to improve from it and learn from it.”
Watch this Story: Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott’s Downfall Ruined For Fans As NBC Fails To Learn From Fox’s Mistakes
The No.9 Chevrolet driver can put to use his father’s advice for Indianapolis to win
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
Historic NASCAR Track Shutting Its Door After Final Run Has Racing Community Heartbroken
How Late NASCAR Legend Was Forced to “Sell Everything” After Losing $10,000 to Mafia
Tony Stewart’s Business Partner Sells Off Iconic ‘Mini Eldora’ Racetrack
Kenny Wallace Left Baffled by an Anonymous NASCAR Executive’s Response to Michael Jordans’ In-Court Victory
“You Will Live to Regret It”- Insider Reveals Dale Jr.’s Hesitance Behind Accepting His Late Father’s Award
With the hopes slowly fading away for Chase Elliott, the No.9 team including the driver, need to come up with an impeccable strategy that can propel the driver and maximize the chance of winning. Moreover, apart from his team, the other person who can provide invaluable advice is none other than Elliott’s father, Bill Elliott.
The 2x Daytona winner had a significant presence on the tracks of Brickyard and also had notched victories in the twilight of his career. Elliott Sr., years back, had revealed the secret behind clinching victory in Indianapolis.
He divulged, “The thing about Indy is you’ve got to qualify well. You’ve got to do everything well, all day. Everything has to come together to win at Indy. In 2002, we pretty much stayed toward the front of the field most all day and were able to lead a lot and do what we need to do.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With Daniel Suarez winning the pole and another driver desperate for a victory, the race at Indianapolis shall be a treat for the eyes, as drivers put their best foot forward and race along with the drivers from the other formats of motor racing. It is just a matter of time before the best one secures a victory.