The 2023 Cup Series season has been extremely disappointing for Chase Elliott. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was out of the car for six races due to an injury off the track, something that broke his rhythm and affected his overall performance. As the regular season inches toward the end, time seems to running out for the HMS driver.
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Elliott currently has no wins to his name and if he does not get one, it would be the first time that he fails to make the playoffs. Speaking about his chances to make it to the postseason, former HMS Crew Chief and current analyst Steve Letarte shared his thoughts on Elliott’s qualification chances after Richmond Raceway last weekend.
Steve Letarte comments on Chase Elliott’s playoff chances after Richmond
Letarte said, “My answer hasn’t changed. Possible yes, probably no. I think Chase Elliott thinks it’s gonna take a win, or at least winning performances. If he doesn’t get to victory lane, but he is in the position to win the next four races, then the points will come.”
“And I really think that’s the argument I’m trying to make is that if people think that 10th place finishes or this weekend 13th place finish is going to work over the next four weeks. I just don’t think it is. And here’s why. While he has closed into 40 on the cutline… If you go back to New Hampshire, he’s only gained about 10 points from New Hampshire to now on Ty Gibbs, who’s been ahead of him.”
“He’s gained less than that on Bubba Wallace. So while he has gained because Daniel Suarez has had some issues. And Michael McDowell wasn’t great at Richmond. I just don’t think that’s what he wants to lean on.”
Letarte believes Elliott would need a win over solely relying on points
Speaking further Letarte mentioned how he believed that even Elliott and his crew chief Alan Gustafson really wanted to be in the playoffs. But in order to get there, the HMS driver would require a win to solidify his chances.
He said, “I’ll go one further. I’m not sure if pointing in is even a goal of theirs. When I hear the quotes from Chase, the quotes from Alan (Gustafson) and they want to be in the playoffs. But they want to be contenders, and… in my mind. They think it’s gonna take winning to be considered a contender now. Making the playoffs gains and three more weeks in that first round to get stuff figured out. And I think it’s gonna take a win.”
Well, considering the stakes right now, winning seems to be the only way Elliott will make the final 16. Although, getting that win would be a major challenge for the 2020 Cup Series champion, with the margin to make it into the postseason remaining very thin now.
