DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona 500 pole-sitter Chase Elliott saw his chances of winning the “Great American Race” end just nineteen laps into the race when his No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet broke loose off Turn 4.
Elliott driving the coveted No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet taking over for retired Jeff Gordon led from the start, becoming the youngest pole-winning driver to lead a lap in NASCAR’s Super Bowl event, but shortly after losing the lead from teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott’s race began to falter.
While racing in the midst of a three-wide battle, Elliott’s car broke loose and made slight contact with the No. 19 of Carl Edwards which sent Elliott sliding through the infield grass where the front-end received major damage after digging into the sod and dirt.
“I’m not sure, just got turned around there off of four,” said Elliott. ”Got in the middle and got loose. Lost it and spun out. I hate it for everybody at less than 20 laps in and have something dumb like that happen. I apologize to my guys. We will try and get back out there I guess and make some laps.”
A few laps before Elliott’s crash, several drivers reported a loose condition, including 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick who had an immaculate save from the front of the field. Elliott, however, didn’t blame the incident on handling.
“Just got in middle there a couple of laps before and got loose off of (turn) four and just lost,” added Elliott. “I hate it-it had been such a fun week and you hate to end the race before it even got started. Just disappointed for everybody. We will just have to look past it and get on for Atlanta. That is the most important thing now.
“Can’t get caught up in what happened today, it is irrelevant now. We’ll try and get it fixed and make some laps. Then it’s on to Atlanta and if we can make some laps we will and move forward from here.”
Elliott climbed from his battered vehicle where he was later evaluated and released from the Florida Hospital infield care center.
Elliott sat 40th in the running order, while his Hendrick Motorsports made repairs in the garage. 40 laps down, he returned to the race on Lap 59 of 200.
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