[autotag]Chase Elliott[/autotag] had a car capable of finishing in the top 5 spots at Circuit of the Americas, but it quickly went downhill. After getting loose in the esses, Elliott was black-flagged for track limits. The No. 9 team tried to argue that its driver didn’t make up any time or pass anyone; however, NASCAR didn’t want to overturn the call.
Elliott served a pass-through penalty and later spun out in Turn 8. One event after the other caused the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion to come home with a 16th-place finish. It was a disappointing end to what could have been a top-5 finish at COTA, but one thing is clear to start the year. Elliott must clean up his mistakes to maximize the 2024 season.
Sure, there is evident frustration that Elliott was penalized just because he got loose, but very few drivers had that issue in the esses during the event. Then, the No. 9 car spun out in Turn 8, which was also a trouble spot for drivers throughout the day. It was a mistake-filled day for Elliott, and it cost him a good finish.
Chase Elliott wins Stage 1! #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Xz2udZdfK4
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2024
Through six races, Elliott has only one top-10 finish, an eighth-place effort at Bristol Motor Speedway. The No. 9 car hasn’t shown as much speed as his teammates, as the statistics prove. Elliott is the only Hendrick Motorsports driver without a top-5 finish. In fact, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Alex Bowman have more top-5 finishes than Elliott has top-10 finishes.
The 28-year-old driver has yet to find a rhythm in the NextGen car following his injury in 2023. This isn’t a “hit piece” on Elliott or a statement that he can’t eventually find a rhythm. It states that Elliott must clean up his mistakes to compete for a second Cup Series championship. The race at COTA was supposed to be a momentum-building event.
Instead, Elliott goes to Richmond Raceway looking to earn his first win since October 2022. Richmond hasn’t been one of his best tracks over the years, but he does have one top-5 finish at the venue in the NextGen car. Elliott must put COTA behind him and focus on Richmond. It’s time for Elliott to clean up his mistakes and find more speed. Everyone knows he is capable of making it happen, too.
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