Chase Elliott faced a disappointing weekend at Richmond Raceway, finishing 38th after starting in the top five. Although he was already secured a playoff spot, the outcome at the quarter-mile oval cost him much more, making him the biggest loser of the race weekend. Elliott’s hopes for the regular-season championship are now dashed, with William Byron holding an unbeatable 68-point lead, effectively ending Elliott’s chase for the title that carries valuable playoff points.
Previously, Elliott’s only regular-season championship came in 2022. This latest loss now removes a vital advantage, as the regular-season trophy includes 15 bonus playoff points crucial for post-season positioning. The No. 9 driver’s failure to maintain contention has broader ramifications beyond just the single race result.
First DNF of the year breaks Elliott’s impressive finishing streak
In addition to losing the regular-season title opportunity, Elliott suffered his first Did Not Finish (DNF) of the year, ending a 27-race streak of finishing every event. This crash during the race restricted Elliott to just one point from the Richmond weekend, while his rivals capitalized with top-10 results. Denny Hamlin, for example, narrowed the deficit to Elliott to just five points, increasing pressure heading into the next round at Daytona Speedway.
At Daytona, Elliott faces the risk of slipping as low as fourth or fifth in standings, which could reduce his playoff bonus points from 10 to 6. The No. 9 team’s strategy ultimately faltered after Elliott’s mishap on lap 198, contributing to a multi-layered battle lost on multiple fronts against strong competitors.
Elliott’s reaction to his first season-ending crash at Richmond
Coming off a poor result at Watkins Glen, Elliott aimed to rebound strongly at Richmond, where he previously secured six top-five finishes. However, after being caught in the “big one” crash on lap 198, he expressed confusion and frustration over the incident in an interview with Yahoo Sports.
“I have no idea what happened. I saw them crashing and were all stacking up, trying to get stopped. After the wreck was over, I thought we were done wrecking and I was just trying to squeak by. I guess somebody didn’t know I was down there. I guess Kyle didn’t know I was to the left.” —Chase Elliott, Driver
“Whoever was next to me [Zane Smith] and myself were trying to get through the accident, and we were coming through there at a decent rate. Unfortunately, Kyle just didn’t know that we were on the bottom. Hate that. We had a good start to the night, and it slowly unraveled until it finally fell apart.” —Chase Elliott, Driver
Looking ahead: Elliott prepares for the challenges of the playoffs
Despite the recent setback, Elliott’s playoff position remains intact, and he prepares for his eighth postseason appearance. The pressure mounts as he aims to make a strong showing at upcoming events, particularly at Daytona Speedway, where maintaining his point advantage is critical. The Richmond Raceway outcome serves as a harsh reminder that while playoff qualification is secured, the fight for playoff supremacy demands flawless execution and patience amid fierce competition.