‘Wasn’t My Data’: Chase Elliott Searches for a Bar of Comparison in COTA After Injury-Laden 2023

Chase Elliott is looking at bright prospects at the upcoming Circuit of the Americas race. The 28-year-old driver brought glory to his team and Chevrolet when he won the COTA race in 2021. He holds overall seven road course victories under his name. However, despite the massive odds of Elliott conquering NASCAR’s first road course of the year, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is still harboring doubts.

As Elliott said recently, an ‘embarrassing’ turn of events characterized last year’s COTA events. Moreover, a leg injury swapped his spot from the track to the broadcast booth. Hence, Elliott believes missing out on that crucial race could impact his results this year.

Chase Elliott is not confident in other racers’ data

Properly warming yourself to a race track requires you to get handsy and take the wheel there. That is what Chase Elliott emphasized recently in a pre-race press session. The 20-turn, 3.41-mile road course in Austin, Texas is a staple on F1 schedules. But NASCAR is only in its fourth year at COTA, and last year’s events showed that drivers were still not accustomed to the track.

Elliott watched it all from his home since he was unable to participate owing to a snowboarding injury and hence feels jittery about his performance this weekend. He detailed how relying on a second-hand experience is not beneficial for his prospects. “Time to find my own rhythm before I start comparing to other people. It’s kind of hard, at least in my experience. Like if I just go and look at raw data from someone, I like to have something to compare it to. So just having not been here last year, it wasn’t my data, and it’s kind of hard for me to look at that and know exactly what was going on with the car and vice versa. I like having something to compare to. I will, once I have some laps.”

While that’s a valid concern, the COTA track also brings about familiarity to Elliott, who wowed his benefactors when he grabbed the checkered flag in a rain-affected race at COTA in 2021. That event tied Hendrick Motorsports with Petty Enterprises’ record of 268 premier series wins and brought Chevrolet its 800th milestone victory in the Cup series. As a cherry on top, the 18-time Cup winner’s car from the race at COTA was also placed on display at the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Victory Lane. Perhaps that would explain the 28-year-old driver’s fondness for the venue. 

Read More: Chase Elliott’s Crew Chief Hopeful of ‘Deserving Finishes’ Amidst Banking on Refreshed Team Dynamic

Elliott approves of COTA’s ‘entertainment’ factor

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On his victorious run at COTA in 2021, Chase Elliott drove his No. 9 Chevy to the lead under green on lap 50. Then he drove the next five laps to victory, as NASCAR called off the race due to heavy rain. Even though it has been three years, Elliott looks back fondly at the track which puts on a good show.

“I think it’s been fine. Obviously, I mean the facility is super nice, you know, even above some of the places we go regularly,” Elliott said, as per Kickin’ the Tires. “It is just really, really a nice place and I don’t have any ill will against coming out here. I think it is fine as long as the race is providing the entertainment that we feel like it should; I suppose we are okay to keep coming back.”

Chase Elliott is doubtful about his COTA prospects, while Tyler Reddick is the hot favorite to win. But who knows, Elliott may upturn Reddick’s chances with his overpowering road experience.