Ever since the injury at the start of the season forced him to miss six races, Chase Elliott was always chasing the pack. By missing almost one-fourth of the regular season, Elliott gave himself a lot of catching up to do, ultimately falling short and missing the playoffs for the first time in his career. And according to Kenny Wallace, it is not just those six races that did the damage, it is the aftermath that really messed up the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s season.
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On the Kenny Wallace Show, the veteran discussed at length why the 2020 Cup champion is not in the final 16, providing a deep insight into how one small accident can do more damage than visible.
Chase Elliott’s accident caused more damage than fans can imagine
Wallace opened on the subject by highlighting how drivers need to be careful with off-track stuff in order to ensure they are fully fit to compete on the racetrack. Using Elliott’s example, where the HMS driver missed six races because of a skiing accident, Wallace drives home the point of how athletes in every sport need a certain momentum to be able to perform, something that ultimately cost the #9 driver a place in the playoffs.
“So what do I think about Chase Elliott missing the playoffs? It has nothing to do with about the way he ran because when you missed nine races, I don’t care if you’re 26 years old, it messes your mojo up. It messes your mojo up, that’s like baseball players, they play every day and they’re still in the back taking practice swings, loosening their muscles up..”
“What do you think about the race car drivers? They miss nine weeks, that’s three months almost. So, you know as far as Chase Elliott missing the playoffs, I’m gonna blame it all on the skiing accident.”
Wallace believes Chase Elliott missing the playoffs is a big deal
Wallace termed Elliott missing the playoffs a “big blow to the sport”, adding, “But Chase can still win some races and help promote the sport right now. He’s got great sponsors. He’s still gotta go out and win. We’ve got a lot of racing left to do.”
The veteran also opened up on how Elliott’s season will have a larger impact on other NASCAR drivers and the sport as a whole.
“I think everybody’s gonna learn from that. I don’t think Alex Bowman would be jumping in Sprint Cars anymore. Let me know when Chase Elliott goes snowboarding again.”
As for drivers not having a life outside the race track in fear of an injury, Wallace believes there is no stopping the drivers, just that they should seek to minimize dangerous stuff and stuff that can lead to injuries that can affect their season.
