DARLINGTON, S.C.: Chase Elliott’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs had a horrendous start Sunday night at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway after the Hendrick Motorsports driver finished last after being involved in a Stage 1 accident in the Cook Out Southern 500.
Elliott who struggled with speed with his No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE had struggled to climb the running order throughout the opening stage of the crown jewel event but with less than 10 laps left in the stage, Elliott lost control of his race car and was impacted by a competing Playoff driver Chase Briscoe which caused extensive damage to Elliot’s racecar after the Lap 113 collision.
The 2020 Cup Series champion was able to limp his automobile back to pit road where his Hendrick Motorsports team attempted to repair the car in the expanded 10-minute damaged vehicle policy procedure but too much damage, including a broken toe-link and an upper control arm was too much for the team to overcome in the time allotted.
As the field went green for the start of Stage 2, Elliott’s No. 9 team pushed his car to the garage with Elliott being credited with a 36th last place finish.
“Just hit the wall there in 1 and 2,” Elliott said after being evaluated and released from the infield care center. “Broke something on the right rear.”
When asked what he needed to do to make up for the disastrous first race in the Playoff, all Elliott could do was smile and offer:
“Run better than we did today.”
Elliott’s worst finish of the season without a doubt had big repercussions as far as the point standings lead following the opening 10-race run to the Championship 4 at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in November.
Elliott collected just one point for his 113-lap efforts at Darlington and likely won’t put the four-time winner this season in a must-win position to advance to the Round of 12, however, Elliott’s mulligan for the round has been cashed in.
After clinching the regular season championship last month at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Elliott entered Darlington with a 15-point cushion over second seeded Joey Logano. He leaves the track dubbed “Too Tough To Tame” ninth in the standings, 14 points above the cutoff line.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
