Chase Elliott, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, has openly discussed his experiences with risky snowboarding adventures, particularly those taken off groomed trails. In a 2016 conversation, he described these moments as “pretty dumb” but acknowledged the appeal of exploring unmarked terrain despite the dangers. Elliott began snowboarding almost as soon as he could walk and practiced flips on a couch before starting kindergarten, viewing the sport as both a mental escape from NASCAR pressures and a form of physical fitness.
Details Surrounding the 2023 Snowboarding Injury
In 2023, Elliott faced a significant setback when he fractured his left tibia during a snowboarding session in Colorado. The injury was severe enough to require surgery at the U.S. Olympic National Medical Center. Elliott immediately understood the seriousness of the situation, quickly contacting his crew chief from the emergency room to arrange for Josh Berry to substitute as driver. Berry handled five of the six races Elliott missed in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The Nature of the Accident and Elliott’s View on Its Risks
Despite the injury, Elliott emphasized that his accident was not the result of reckless behavior. He described the event as a “perfect storm” and rejected the criticism that his snowboarding was irresponsible. Elliott stated that the injury could have happened during any ordinary activity and stressed that he was not engaged in anything “wild or crazy” at the time.
“The accident could have happened tripping down stairs or on a jog. I wasn’t out doing anything that was wild or crazy. I don’t agree with that viewpoint of well, you shouldn’t have been doing this or you shouldn’t have been doing that,” Chase Elliott said (via Autoweek).
Impact of the Injury on Elliott’s 2023 Season
The snowboarding injury significantly affected Elliott’s standing in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series. Missing six races contributed to him ending the season 17th in the driver rankings — his lowest finish since his first full-time season in 2016 and the first time he failed to make the playoffs. In addition to recovering from his injury, Elliott served a one-race suspension following an intentional crash with fellow driver Denny Hamlin during the Coca-Cola 600. Despite these challenges, he achieved 15 top-ten finishes in 29 starts and maintained his position as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for the sixth consecutive year.
Recovery and Performance Improvement in 2024
Following his recovery, Elliott returned to form in the 2024 season, finishing seventh in the standings. He secured one race win and earned ten additional top-ten finishes, reflecting a strong comeback after the difficulties caused by his snowboarding accident and the subsequent hiatus from competition.