Entering today’s Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Chase Elliott still had a chance at pointing his way into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
However, that chance has now evaporated like the rain off of hot summer pavement.
Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro crashed hard after losing a right rear tire in turn 1, delivering a hard hit to both the driver and his playoff chances.
A visibly dejected Elliott caught up with the media after being checked and released from the infield care center.
When asked how he felt his prospects of winning within the next three races, Elliott solemnly said, “It’s the only option.”
The 2020 Cup Series champion finds himself behind the cut line due to missing 6 races this season with injury and one due to suspension.
He will finish 36th, and at the time of this writing, he’s 99 points out of the final playoff position which all but confirms his need to win in order to qualify for the post season.
Garrett joined Frontstretch as a news writer in 2023, and became a fantasy racing and betting writer in 2024. Hailing from the heart of coal country in southern West Virginia, he's a married father of three and a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant there.
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That’s pretty much been his option since his return. And particularly since he got himself suspended.
Having a statistical chance, & having a realistic chance are poles apart.
At least now he can clear his mind, & put points racing behind him.
In that sense this could work to his advantage.
To me I think that him finding his rhynem again is kinda lost and always being asked about the playoffs does not help.