Rick Hendrick Makes Heartbreaking 5-Word Admission on Chase Elliott

In the world of NASCAR, every season tells a unique story, filled with triumphs and tribulations. One of the most talked-about narratives of this year centers around Chase Elliott. The talented 27-year-old driver for Hendrick Motorsports has had a rollercoaster season. But amidst the ups and downs, Rick Hendrick recently shared a heartfelt confession that sheds light on Elliott’s journey.

Chase Elliott’s 2023 season took an unexpected turn when he missed six races in March and April due to an injury sustained while snowboarding. Since his return, the Georgia native has grappled with a string of poor performances. A far cry from his usual dominant form. For the first time in his full-time Cup Series career, Elliott couldn’t secure a playoff berth, leaving him fighting for the owner’s title.

Rick Hendrick understands the pressure Chase Elliott must be feeling

Despite Elliott’s struggles, Hendrick Motorsports had its share of highs in 2023. With a NASCAR Cup Series leading nine points-paying wins being among them. The team also celebrated milestones like its 300th Cup Series win and the engine shop’s 500th national series win.

However, the season also brought challenges, including injuries to both Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman. Both drivers missed races due to injuries but made valiant efforts to secure playoff spots. Elliott’s fractured tibia and Bowman’s fractured vertebra tested their resilience.

According to HendrickMotorsports.com, In a recent interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive,” Rick Hendrick shared his perspective on Elliott’s challenging season. He emphasized the importance of looking ahead and finishing the year strong. Hendrick stated, “We are in it for the long haul, not the short run. Let’s just focus on ourselves. I hate to see either one of those guys miss the playoffs. Because Alex was leading the points early in the year and had more top-10s than anybody. Chase was running good too. Things happen, life happens and you deal with it.”

He acknowledged the pressure faced by Elliott and Bowman, with other drivers in the playoffs achieving significant success. Hendrick offered words of encouragement, highlighting that the pressure they felt was, in many ways, self-imposed. “Tremendous pressure on those guys to see the other guys have won 10 races counting the All-Star Race. It’s just human nature for them to feel pressure. I’ve tried to tell them you are putting the pressure on yourself. I know the fans want to see Chase win and Alex win. It’s coming. It will happen.”

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Chase Elliott’s absence from the driver’s playoff was a significant blow to his loyal fans and the NASCAR community. However, fellow NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin recently offered a different perspective.

Denny Hamlin believes Elliott was good enough to make it to the playoffs

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On his podcast show, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin argued that Elliott deserved a place in the postseason. He would surely have made it if he hadn’t missed several races due to injury. Hamlin expressed his concerns about the current playoff format, which allows half the field to make it through.

He believed that the playoffs should be more prestigious and that it was okay for big names to miss it. “I hate to say it, but some of the teams that squeak in. It’s like c’mon, it’s just I don’t know. I think it needs to be a little bit more prestigious. It’s okay to have a big name, miss it…”

This prompted co-host Jared to plug in Chase Elliott’s name, saying that a big name has indeed missed the playoffs. To this, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said, “He missed races, he missed races. His car is in. So that tells you, that means he was good enough this year. Chase Elliott was good enough to make the playoffs.”

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Chase Elliott’s 2023 season, marked by challenges and missed races, has drawn both sympathy and support from the racing community. As the postseason continues, fans eagerly await Elliott’s return to top form. What are your thoughts on Rick Hendrick’s and Denny Hamlin’s perspectives on Elliott? Let us know in the comments.