SONOMA, Calif.: Before 2023, Chase Elliott had never missed the Cup Playoffs let alone a race in eight full seasons of competition.
This year, Elliott has competed in just eight of 15 events. The 27-year-old driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was sidelined for six races after breaking his leg in a snowboarding accident in Colorado.
Elliott missed his seventh race last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway after NASCAR suspended him for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“It’s never fun to sit home while the race is going on when your job is happening and you’re not a part of it,” Elliott said. “It’s a little bit of a different feel but still disappointing to not be here regardless of the circumstances.”
Elliott currently sits 27th in the standings with 11 races to decide the Playoff grid. The 2020 Cup champion wasn’t surprised by NASCAR’s decision to suspend him. Elliott understands and respects their decision.
“When you get told the decision, you put your head down and start thinking about the things you can control,” Elliott said. “Because you certainly can’t go back and change the past.”
Elliott was happy to be back at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday. He was happier to make it to the second round of NASCAR Cup qualifying for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350.
“It’s really good to get to the second round,” said Elliott, who will start 10th on Sunday. “I felt my first lap of our session was solid. That was going to be the key if you could get it done on the first lap and not have to run a second. I made a pretty big mistake on my second run—I was honestly surprised I got through—so that was encouraging. Then I about wrecked there in 4 on the last lap.
“I wish I could have gone a little faster but I was glad I didn’t wreck because I was very close to not driving this car tomorrow. Definitely good to get through. We haven’t made a second round in a while. So that was nice.”
Moving ahead, Elliott’s focus is one race at a time. He’s still searching for his first win at Sonoma Raceway. In his starts at the 1.99-mile road course, Elliott’s best result was second in 2021. Last year, he led a career-best 26 laps before finishing eighth—his fourth top-10 result at the track.
“Just trying to make some gains,” Elliott said. “I thought we were starting to piece together some momentum in a couple of different areas. Maybe not necessarily showing up in the grand scheme of things but I was encouraged by some of the things we were doing.
“Then coming here today (Saturday), getting in the second round is a positive, too. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I think we can win this thing. Really focused on that right now.”
As for his rivalry with Hamlin, Elliott confirmed that the two drivers had “a mature conversation” and have since buried the hatchet. His strategy to avoid future run-ins with Hamlin?
“Go faster, stay in front of him,” Elliott said with a smile. “That’s the way to fix it.
“For me, I’m eyes forward. I’m all in about trying to win. That’s our only way in (the Playoffs) now—it was our only way in before (the suspension), too. That’s been my mindset since I got back from my injuries. So, honestly, not a lot has changed.”
Although it was tough for Elliott to watch last Sunday’s race from home—that came after fulfilling a NAPA commitment last Friday in Litchfield, Illinois—about 50 miles from WWTR.
“Our partners do a lot for us—and so do the fans,” Elliott said. “I’m definitely sorry to the fans and the folks that planned on going to the race to watch me or our team that didn’t get to experience that.
“But I felt it was important to go and make sure I was doing the part I was allowed to do for the partners and the fans. Granted they wanted to watch the race but it was a way for them interact and do something in light of a tough week.”
Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at: [email protected].
