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Things are getting out of hand for 2020 Cup Series champion and NASCAR’s golden boy Chase Elliott. At least that’s what his qualifying run got fans thinking. As the Cup Series action headed to The Glen, Elliott was in a do-or-die situation and the HMS speedster and Elliott certainly had a plan of his own to rack up a win before things headed to the Daytona Superspeedway.

While he is unarguably one of the most talented road course racers on the grid right now and his numbers speak for themselves, speaking to the media before his run, Elliott revealed how desperate he is, saying he has no other options other than to ace the 2.45-mile course.

It’s make-it or break-it for Chase Elliott, and that’s exactly what the driver has on his mind!

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2023 certainly hasn’t been the best for Chase Elliott or Hendrick Motorsports. Whether it be his teammate, Alex Bowman, or the 2020 Cup Series champion himself, both have had a rather shaky season so far. And as the Cup Series extravaganza hits the 2.4-mile road course at Watkins Glen, it is do or die for Elliott as the clock as the driver is running out of time and points to make it into the playoffs.

Reflecting on his dire situation, the #9 HMS star revealed his mindset hours before his highly anticipated run. While he missed 6 races owing to an unfortunate accident earlier in March his tangle with Denny Hamlin and his inability to convert solid performances has cast a shadow on the driver’s and his crew’s capabilities.

However, things have been quite different recently, looking back at his Indy race, the #9 Chevy carried speed and the driver showed exceptional tenacity as he finished 2nd. Now coming to the driver’s recent remarks. Elliott acknowledged his precarious position, saying, “We’ve got to make something happen, there’s really no other option.” 

Furthermore, Elliott hinted that he would stop at nothing but a win, saying, “So just going to have to push and be aggressive all day long and top to bottom for me to our strategy to our pit stops, everything has got to 10/10, certainly not the most ideal way to run a race but we’re out of options.” 

READ MORE: Amid Worst Career Slump, Chase Elliott’s “Desperate “ Redemption Could Pay Off Big for Risk Takers

Elliott downplays his Daytona chances, betting it all at Watkins Glen

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HMS and Chase Elliott fans must be having their hearts on their throats, anticipating that their favorite driver will blast his way into the playoffs in stunning fashion rather than just go out trying. While the #9 Chevy was the fastest HMS Chevy at Indy, finishing 2nd at the coveted road course, the driver is still chasing his first win of the season.

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And if case that doesn’t come at Glen, the driver certainly knows his chances of claiming it at Daytona is just betting on a lottery. Speaking to Fronstretch, he got brutally honest, saying, “To show up there and be in a must-win situation is like going to Vegas and having to hit the nearest slot machine for the jackpot. That’s just silly.” 

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott apologizes to Rick Hendrick and team for losing, after being confused by HMS’ decision 

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With his qualifying going south for him, getting a 15th-position start, Elliott got straight to the points. “To me, this is the opportunity we have the most control over. Didn’t have a very good start on the weekend. Puts you in a tough spot. Nobody’s fault but mine that we’re in the spot we’re in,” said the driver.

“Hate it. It is what it is. We’ll fight (Sunday) to the last lap and hopefully, something will fall our way,” concluded the driver with a never-say-die attitude.