Chase Elliott, reflecting on a pivotal moment outside NASCAR, has candidly addressed the risky decisions that resulted in his snowboarding accident, a setback that forced him into a hiatus from the racing season. The Chase Elliott snowboarding accident outside NASCAR became a significant turning point during his career, highlighting the dangers of athlete hobbies beyond the track.
Early Love for Snowboarding and Risky Choices
From a young age, Chase Elliott embraced snowboarding, picking up the sport nearly as soon as he could walk and even practicing tricks on his furniture before starting school. For the Hendrick Motorsports driver, snowboarding was both a way to stay fit and an escape from the intense demands associated with NASCAR competition.
During a 2016 interview with Jeff Gluck for the 12 Questions series, Elliott recounted some of his most daring exploits away from the racing world. He admitted that his off-track adventures sometimes took him into dangerous, unmarked terrain while snowboarding—trips he now recognizes as reckless in hindsight.
“I’ve probably been in some dumb situations snowboarding. I’d say snowboarding in general isn’t a dangerous deal, but you can get yourself into some bad spots. Unfortunately, I have probably been pretty dumb with that in getting off the beaten path. Looking back on it, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing,”
—Chase Elliott, driver, via USA Today Sports.
The 2023 Accident and Its Aftermath
Elliott continued his snowboarding pursuits despite knowing the risks. In 2023, while riding in Colorado, he fractured his left tibia, an injury that triggered immediate surgery at a U.S. Olympic National Medical Center. Realizing the severity of his condition right away, Elliott contacted his crew chief from the emergency room to ensure a substitute driver would fill in during his recovery. Josh Berry ultimately handled the No. 9 Chevrolet for five of the six NASCAR Cup races Elliott missed during his absence.
Reflecting on the incident, Elliott pointed out that the accident didn’t involve reckless behavior, countering speculation that he had engaged in wild activity on the slopes. Instead, he described the situation as a matter of unfortunate timing and circumstance.
“The accident could have happened tripping down stairs or on a jog. I wasn’t out doing anything that was wild or crazy. I don’t agree with that viewpoint of well, you shouldn’t have been doing this or you shouldn’t have been doing that,”
—Chase Elliott, driver, via Autoweek.
Season Disrupted and Unexpected Setbacks
The injury drastically impacted Elliott’s 2023 campaign. He closed the season ranked 17th in the driver standings, missing the NASCAR playoffs for the first time since becoming a full-time competitor in 2016. That year also saw him serve a one-race suspension after an on-track incident with Denny Hamlin during the Coca-Cola 600, further complicating his return.
Despite these obstacles, Elliott finished the season with 15 top-ten finishes across 29 starts. His resilience and popularity were evident, as he was again named NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for the sixth consecutive year.
Recovery and Looking Forward
Following his recovery, Elliott returned to form the next year, earning one race win and ten additional top-ten finishes, ultimately ending the year ranked seventh in the points standings. Even after his ordeal, he has remained passionate about snowboarding and resolute in his life choices, maintaining focus both on and off the track. Elliott’s experience with the snowboarding accident outside NASCAR serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers athletes may face, alongside the resilience required to overcome them.
