Not all sportspersons can boast as dedicated a following as some NASCAR drivers can. And with the most famous driver of the most influential team in NASCAR in a precarious situation, millions of fans have their fingers crossed. The driver is none other than the 2020 Cup Series champion, Chase Elliott.

Chase Elliott is sitting in the 20th position in the driver’s standings and in order to make it to the round of 16, he has to gain 40 points and frog jump three other drivers ahead of him. Anything can happen, and experts across the community have varying opinions regarding the Golden Boy of NASCAR.

NASCAR veteran does not have high hopes for Elliott

Four races, at the Michigan International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen, and Daytona International Speedway, remain before the playoffs begin. These races will decide who will be in contention for the title in Darlington on September 3. In a conversation with NASCAR Talk editor Dusty Long and pit reporter for NBC Paul Kligerman, veteran racer and NASCAR analyst Kyle Petty expressed his thoughts on Chase Elliott’s chances.

Kligerman is still optimistic about Chase Elliott making it to the playoffs. He feels Hendrick Motorsports would get one, if not both their cars, out of the bubble. However, Kyle Petty has a different vantage point to look at Elliott‘s playoff chances. For him, Trackhouse Racing Team has a greater chance of sealing the deal. Petty said,

“Listen, Trackhouse is bringing some [road] ringers. It’s Trackhouse for the block. As far as Chase Elliott goes […] I don’t see movement. I’m not seeing a glimpse of the #9 car and Chase Elliott being in position to score massive stage points or win races and that is a problem for this team […] We have seen the #5 car be there. We have seen the #24 car William Byron be there.”

Petty admitted the setbacks that Hendrick Motorsports has suffered from both their drivers getting caught up in major accidents and Elliott even getting a penalty. He added,

“We’re talking about the two Hendrick drivers who have suffered injuries this year, and had to come back. Are they a hundred percent? Only they know.
“Only they know how far they are willing to push.
“Only they know what they are willing to do in a car.
“Only they know what kind of pain they are driving in or where they’re at.”

Watch this story: Amidst Playoff Concerns, Chase Elliott Dismisses the Idea of New Hendrick Motorsports Narrative

Kyle Petty places his bet on the “Dinger”

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Dusty Long asked a pertinent question to Kyle Petty: “Will anybody outside of the playoff spot right now be in a playoff spot finale at Daytona?”

For Petty, much like everyone else, Daytona is a “wildcard.” He admitted having high hopes about Kaulig Racing and their driver for the #10 Chevrolet Camaro. However, this was before AJ Allmendinger built a weird strategy.

“I thought they were gonna be there and then they decided to put the Xfinity Series over the Cup Series,” admitted the 63-year-old veteran.

AJ Allmendinger and his team believe that getting wins at the Xfinity races would boost his confidence and that will have him perform even better in the Cup Series. Petty continued, “I am not sure what that says about where they are at as a team and where they are at and what they’re trying to do, but they can win at Watkins Glen and they can win at Indy.”

Petty might be right or wrong. It’s just like he said, “Anybody’s game right now.” Over the past 75 years, the fans have seen drivers winning on worse odds. Amidst the uproar regarding SVG’s second appearance in the Cup Series at Indianapolis, Chase Elliott might go out there and prove his prowess in road courses. Maybe he wins at Watkins Glen, or perhaps he wins at Daytona!

Read more: ?Possible? Yes. Probable No.? ? Ex-Hendrick Motorsport Crew Chief Gives His Verdict on Chase Elliott