Chase Elliott’s path to qualify for the playoffs seems to be getting tougher with each race. Despite a strong third-place finish at the Chicago Street race, he’s been struggling for performances ever since. Even though he managed to secure top-10 finishes after Chicago, it’s evident that the winning car hasn’t been with him this season.

Some calculations suggest that Chase Elliott might need to rely on winning races or accumulating specific points in each race to secure his place in the playoffs. Fortunately, Chase and his team are more than capable of achieving this feat. However, it’s clear that they need to step up their game to turn things around.

Steve Letarte has been actively discussing this matter and recently provided further insights about Chase Elliott’s playoff chances. It remains to be seen how the rest of the season unfolds for the Hendrick Motorsports star, but there’s still hope for him to make his way into the playoffs with determination and strong performances.

“Possible, yes. Probable no” Former crew chief of Hendrick Motorsports on Chase Elliott’s playoff chance

In the current scenario, it appears that winning is the only viable way for Chase Elliott and HMS to secure a spot in the playoffs. While Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, and Michael McDowell are performing better than the HMS star, Chase Elliott continues to face challenges in finding consistently strong performances. This could potentially be the first time he fails to make it to the playoffs.

Steve Letarte, however, believes there are still possibilities for Chase, but he acknowledges that uncertainties remain if he continues to struggle with dominating performances. During the podcast NASCAR On NBC, Rick Allen asked Steve Letarte about the chances of Chase Elliott into playoffs, Letarte replied, “Well. listen my answer hasn’t changed possible? yes, probable, no. I think Chase Elliott thinks it’s going to take a win or at least winning performances. If he doesn’t go to victory lane but he is in the position to win the next four races then the points will come.”

He continued, “I really think that’s the argument I’m trying to make is that if people think that 10th place finishes or this weekend’s 13th place finish is going to work over the next four weeks, I just don’t think it is and here’s why, while he has closed into 40 on the cutline Jeff if you go back to New Hampshire he’s only gained about 10 points from New Hampshire to now on Ty Gibbs who’s ahead of it.”

“I’m not sure pointing in is even a goal of theirs you know when I hear the quotes from Chase the quotes from Allan they won’t be in the playoffs but they want to be contenders and Jeff in my mind they think it’s going to take winning to be considered a contender now making the playoffs gains them three more weeks in that first round to stuff figured out But I think it’s going to take a win,” he concluded.

Earlier, Steve Letarte had expressed concerns about Chase Elliott’s struggles with speed and consistency this season, making it tougher for him to secure a race win. With the playoffs approaching, Chase and his team will need to step up their game and focus on delivering winning performances to have a shot at the title.

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Steve Letarte on chances of Chase Elliott to win a race in remaining races

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Chase Elliott finds himself 40 points short of the playoffs cutoff after the Richmond race. Ty Gibbs, AJ Allmendinger, and Daniel Suarez currently have better positions compared to him. Despite this, there’s still a chance for him to secure a playoff spot if he can win a race in the upcoming four races and become the 13th different winner of the season.

Steve Letarte acknowledged Chase’s potential but expressed doubt about him making it to the playoffs this year. During the NASCAR on NBC podcast, Letarte said, “I would be shocked if he isn’t in the picture and it’s going to come where we don’t expect it right? Maybe Daytona maybe he finally goes to Daytona and wins like Austin Dillion did a year ago. You know I’m not saying he’s going to I’m just not on this bandwagon that says he can’t, that is not an accurate statement in my opinion.”

As we’ve seen in past races, it’s not just about having faster cars; the right strategy can play a vital role in determining the winner. Only time will tell whether Chase Elliott can secure his playoff spot or not. If yes, then how?

Read more: Hendrick Motorsports Veteran Steve Letarte Proves His Loyalty as Chase Elliott Continues His Playoff March