via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Earlier, the Spire Motorsports team confirmed that Chase Elliott will run in the Truck Series for them. To be precise, the 2020 Cup Series champion will hop into the #7 truck at the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt track. However, there were a number of fans who were not fond of seeing Elliott take the wheel.
Hearing @chaseelliott will run @SpireSportsEnt's No. 7 in #NASCAR Truck race at @BMSupdates Dirt Track
— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) April 11, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Should have been Kyle Larson
— Cole Outlaw (@Cole_Outlaw) April 12, 2022
Another one of them "damn cup drivers" taking food off the poor @NASCAR_Trucks drivers table.
— D. A. Trucker (@dumbass_trucker) April 12, 2022
@KyleLarsonRacin Knoxville dirt race please
— (@JesseHare004) April 12, 2022
There were many fans who felt that Kyle Larson would have been the better choice. Especially since he has an excellent track record on dirt surfaces. This is largely because of his prowess in the Midget cars and sprint cars. Meanwhile. there were others who were upset that Cup drivers have stepped in and taken away a seat for a potential Truck Series driver.
There were also a few people wondering if Spire Motorsports was a Hendrick Motorsports B team.
What else did fans say about the Chase Elliott appointment
The critics and haters have all insisted that Elliott is not particularly good on the dirt surface. According to them, it was a ‘dumb move’ by Spire Motorsports. According to some observations, when the #9 driver competed in the midget car series, he got eliminated fairly early.
When did Spire become hendrick Jr? I missed this happening https://t.co/n8BWGreU2p
— Penitent NASCAR Fan (@PenitentNASCAR) April 12, 2022
Not Kyle Larson? Wow. Chase cannot even drive on dirt for shit. Dumb move by spire. Lol
— Racin for Crxpto (@ForRacin) April 11, 2022
I’m a dirt fan. I follow 410 sprint car, late models, midgets — I watched Chase raced in midget. He absolutely sucked, got knocked out by some local guys😂
— Racin for Crxpto (@ForRacin) April 11, 2022
Since when hendrick have a truck team….
— dirty bristol nathan🧱Fly High DT88🧡💙🕊 (@NathanRxcing9) April 13, 2022
This was sufficient proof for them that Chase Elliott and dirt racing were not meant to be. This is why they felt that roping in Kyle Larson would have made a lot more sense. Especially since he does have a dirt racing pedigree and has been extremely successful in that arena.
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on 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)
Bad move. I thought it’d be @KyleLarsonRacin . @SpireMotorsport SHAMEFUL move. https://t.co/bduS3dW8V3
— Drive It In Deep (@DriveIt_InDeep) April 12, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Really?? Over @KyleLarsonRacin ??? wtf
— Matthew Kendrick (@Ch9seFan) April 12, 2022
Spire Motorsports? more like Hendrick Motorsports buahahha lol
— tremendation ➐ (@_tremendation_) April 12, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Of course, Spire Motorsports is hardly going to change its mind. Besides, it could also give Chase Elliott the opportunity to shut up his haters and critics. As a bonus, he gets to experience the Bristol dirt before his Cup Series rivals. On the other hand, the NASCAR trucks and the NextGen Cup cars are two completely different beasts. Despite that, Elliott could try to learn all that he can from the truck race.
