Chase Elliott will return to the seat of the No. 9 this weekend at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, Hendrick Motorsports announced April 12.
Elliott has missed the past six Cup races after suffering a fractured tibia in a snowboarding accident in Colorado in March that required surgery on his leg.
“We’re looking forward to having Chase back in his race car to pick up where he left off,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, said in a release. “Since the injury, he’s worked extremely hard and focused all his time and energy on returning to the No. 9 team. Throughout the last six weeks, he’s stayed fully engaged with everything we’re doing, and we know he’s chomping at the bit to get on the racetrack and compete for wins.”
Josh Berry has filled in for Elliott in five of the six races, scoring a top five and two top 10s. Jordan Taylor piloted the ride at Circuit of the Americas.
HMS said that the Dawsonville, Ga., native was medically cleared on April 11 and tested in the simulator on the same day and April 12.
Additionally, NASCAR has granted Elliott a playoff waiver to be eligible for the Cup playoffs.
In 15 starts at Martinsville, Elliott has earned a win, five top fives, and nine top 10s.
About the author
Luken Glover joined the Frontstretch team in 2020 as a contributor, furthering a love for racing that traces back to his earliest memories. Glover inherited his passion for racing from his grandfather, who used to help former NASCAR team owner Junie Donlavey in his Richmond, Va. garage. A 2023 graduate from the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is the author of "The Underdog House," contributes to commentary pieces, and does occasional at-track reporting. Additionally, Glover enjoys working in ministry, coaching basketball, playing sports, and karting.
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Thank God. The sport is saved.
My thoughts exactly. So tired of hearing/reading about it. Geez!
There might be a “bit” more coverage of the 9 now.