Chase Elliott 2023 NASCAR Season: Chase Elliott’s 2023 season has left many scratching their heads. In the rearview mirror of his season, it’s tempting to highlight his early-year injury as the catalyst for his struggles. Yet, delving into Elliott’s own reflections paints a more complex picture.
Elliott recently offered a glimpse into his year, speaking optimistically about the gradual improvements witnessed throughout the season, despite not clinching a single win or even making the playoffs. According to Hendrick Motorsports, he remarked, “I definitely feel like we have improved throughout the year.”
Surprisingly, Elliott doesn’t entirely attribute his off year to his injury. “Looking back on it, I don’t think being out and my injury is the reason for that,” he admitted. He suggests that the hurdles he faced this year had already begun surfacing in the previous season. It seems that his struggles were a continuation rather than a fresh setback for the driver.
Although Elliott sees his injury as an unwelcome hurdle, it’s clear it’s just another bump in the road he’d rather have avoided.
Sure, the injury and subsequent time off-track could affect anyone’s confidence, especially someone as competitive as Elliott. Additionally, NASCAR’s one-race suspension further disrupted his rhythm, playing a role in his performance among peers.
However, despite these hurdles, there were windows for Elliott and his team to salvage their season, especially towards the regular season’s end. Yet, misfortunes seemed to stack up, hindering their resurgence. The #9 team, usually a force to reckon with, found themselves far from their peak. Elliott, a Cup champion, seemed a far cry from his former dominant self.
Every athlete encounters a slump in their career, and perhaps, 2023 was Elliott’s. What’s evident now is his determination to bounce back from what was undoubtedly a disappointing chapter in his racing journey.
Our Reader’s Queries
What did Chase Elliott get suspended for in 2023?
Elliott’s absence from six races earlier this year was due to a snowboarding accident that resulted in a broken leg. He was also suspended for one race after a controversial incident involving Denny Hamlin’s car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As a result, he was unable to participate in last Sunday’s race at Gateway near St. Louis.
Who was the NASCAR driver that got suspended?
NASCAR driver Noah Gragson, who was suspended for liking an insensitive meme on social media, has been reinstated by the sanctioning body. This decision now allows him to return to NASCAR-sanctioned competition if he chooses to do so. The 25-year-old driver’s suspension was lifted on Tuesday, giving him a chance to get back on the track.
What has happened to Chase Elliott in NASCAR?
Following a season that was disrupted by a broken leg sustained in an off-track incident, Elliott has undergone shoulder surgery. Although the exact cause and nature of the injury were not disclosed, Elliott revealed that it was an “old” injury that required attention.
Why was Chase Elliott eliminated from NASCAR?
Elliott had to sit out six races due to a broken left tibia he sustained during a snowboarding accident in Colorado. He also missed another race because of a suspension for intentionally causing a collision with Denny Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.