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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waits in the garage area during practice for NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, waits in the garage area during practice for NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
It came as quite a surprise to many NASCAR fans that Hendrick Motorsports did not include the name of Chase Elliott in their recent announcement. The thing is, HMS will enter three road course Xfinity Series races this year.
And the drivers selected for the job include all but one driver from Rick Hendrick’s team. Because Kyle Larson is there. Alex Bowman is there. William Byron is there.
The only one not there is Chase Elliott.
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NEWS: @Alex_Bowman, @WilliamByron and @KyleLarsonRacin to compete for Hendrick Motorsports in three @NASCAR_Xfinity Series races.https://t.co/TFVsEMcNZP
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 2, 2022
As one can expect, the fans didn’t really take the news of NASCAR’s Most Popular driver being excluded out of this initiative by Hendrick Motorsports.
@TeamHendrick @HendrickCars What about our 2020 Champion?? Like I was hoping to see him have another opportunity to run an Xfinity race considering he didn’t get an opportunity to qualify at Darlington…
— kylepetrieHD (@KylepetrieHD) June 2, 2022
So you’re just forgetting about Chase here?
— Sydney 🏁 (@Di9Team) June 2, 2022
Where's Chase? Fans want to see him, too.
— Sharon Jones (@SharonJ07944870) June 2, 2022
What the? If you are going to give these three a chance to get better why is Chase not getting an equal chance? Good lord I don't know why you bothered to sign him to a long term contract.
— melissa phillips (@mphillips1699) June 2, 2022
Chase Elliott needs to be in the car for some races.
— Michael (@killShot024) June 2, 2022
Did Rick Hendrick explain the reason for the absence of Chase Elliott?
In the press release, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick spoke about the prospect of the #17 taking part in the Xfinity Series. But unfortunately, his comments didn’t include any explanation for Chase Elliott’s absence from the lineup.
“It’s a great chance for Kyle, Alex and William to gain more time on the road courses and to do even more with our HendrickCars.com sponsorship. I’m looking forward to running the Xfinity Series again,” Hendrick said.
“It will be special to see the No. 17 back in action for Hendrick Motorsports.”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and William Byron, driver of the #24 Valvoline Chevrolet, talk during the qualifying heats for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
But one can’t help but wonder that, at some point in the season, Hendrick Motorsports will give Chase Elliott a chance to go out and race in the Xfinity Series, as his three teammates have now.
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And it’s not like NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver is having a difficult season, anyway. He is leading the points, and silently but swiftly building up momentum for the playoffs.
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