Chase Elliott delivered a standout Monster Mile performance during Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, showcasing his control of the race right from the pole position. The Hendrick Motorsports driver led an incredible 238 laps, but a late pit lane error cost him a win in what could have been his strongest NASCAR run since 2021.
Pit Lane Trouble Undercuts Elliott’s Strongest Showing at Dover
From the green flag, Elliott was in top form, steering the No. 9 car to victory in Stage 1 and weathering interruptions from late cautions and changing track conditions. Even with these hurdles, Elliott managed to leap ahead in the regular-season standings, moving past William Byron and retaking the top spot for the first time since mid-2023. This race also marked the most laps Elliott has ever led outside of Martinsville, demonstrating his command of the field at Dover.
His 238 laps led were not only the most for him at a track besides Martinsville but also his highest total since the 289 laps he commanded during the 2021 Martinsville II race.
“The 238 laps led is the most laps @chaseelliott has led at a track other than Martinsville. It’s his most laps led in a race period since leading 289 at Martinsville II, 2021.”
—Dustin Albino, Content Editor
This statistical highlight was shared by NASCAR content editor Dustin Albino, drawing attention to Elliott’s dominant pace all afternoon at Dover’s Monster Mile. Looking back on his result, Elliott shared his thoughts with TNT Sports:
“Been really proud of the effort all day. Couple of little hiccups here and there, but had a nice recovery to get back to the lead and didn’t want to see that caution. I was hoping I was settling in for the last run of the day, but it’s part of it. It can change really fast.”
—Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Early Excellence Eclipsed by Costly Pit Issue
Elliott’s No. 9 HMS Chevy proved nearly unstoppable in the opening stages, as he stormed through 171 of the first 184 laps to secure the Stage 1 win. However, a pivotal mistake in the pit lane during Stage 2 changed the course of his afternoon. A jack malfunction forced his crew into a lengthy 15-second stop, stripping Elliott of the lead just as his momentum was peaking.
TJ Semke, jackman for the No. 9 team, explained what went wrong:
“The jack post wasn’t as deep on the jack plate as you typically would like, and just the amount of force we’re applying to the end of those handles, sometimes it’ll pop out of there,”
—TJ Semke, Jackman for No. 9
He went on to add:
“That was obviously unfortunate. You never want to be leading the race and make a mistake, regardless of where you’re running, but especially not leading the race.”
—TJ Semke, Jackman for No. 9
Despite this misfortune, Elliott regrouped quickly. He closed Stage 2 in fourth place and managed to fight his way back for a sixth-place finish at the checkered flag, salvaging crucial championship points that kept the Cup Series title fight interesting.
Implications for the Rest of the NASCAR Cup Series Season
Elliott’s dominant Monster Mile performance, even with the pit lane setback, underscores his championship pedigree and the consistent strength of the Hendrick Motorsports operation. The 2020 Cup Series champion’s ability to lead laps and recover from adversity signals that he remains a major threat as the season intensifies. For rivals like William Byron and teams across the garage, Dover’s race serves as a clear warning that Elliott and the No. 9 crew have returned to form and are targeting further victories as the Cup Series schedule rolls on.
