Chase Elliott heads into Sunday’s Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway determined to reignite his championship hopes with a determined effort, making the Chase Elliott playoff redemption push a central story of NASCAR’s postseason. After a challenging result at Bristol Motor Speedway nearly ended his title campaign, Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team now have a critical opportunity to turn the tide.
Elliott Seeks Redemption After Bristol Crash
The Bristol Motor Speedway event saw Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, in a promising position for advancement until misfortune struck late in the race. While maneuvering for position, he was hit by John Hunter Nemechek of Legacy Motor Club, a collision that sent the No. 9 Chevrolet into the wall and derailed his evening. Despite the setback, the playoff hopes survived, aided by Austin Cindric exiting the race after a fire mishap and Alex Bowman failing to clinch a much-needed win.
Elliott’s playoff chances were hanging in the balance—a stark reminder of how quickly events can shift even for experienced drivers such as Elliott. The abrupt end to a hopeful race underscored the unforgiving nature of NASCAR postseason battles.
Determination to Make the Most of a Second Chance
The disappointment at Bristol has brought a renewed sense of urgency for Elliott and his team. Reflecting on the situation, Elliott told Sirius XM NASCAR,
I just feel like, yeah, you’re kind of in a spot where, ‘Man, we really didn’t deserve to be here based on the week before, let’s go and make the very most of it.’
—Chase Elliott, Driver.
As for his outlook in the next round, Elliott added,
I just feel like there’s nothing to lose for us at this point. We’ve got to make something happen, get some life and get our heads down and just grind it out these next three weeks.
—Chase Elliott, Driver.
Turning his mindset toward New Hampshire, Elliott spoke with optimism about his approach, referencing a previous performance that gives him confidence,
It’s kind of been one of those years in general, just trying, some of those days taking what was there. I was really encouraged by our Gateway, to be frank, and I thought there was a lot of really good stuff that went on there throughout the course of the event. I think New Hampshire has some similarities to Gateway, so I’m looking forward to see how we stack up in that regard.
—Chase Elliott, Driver.
Looking Ahead: A Critical Stretch for Elliott
With his place in the Round of 12 secure, Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, and his supporters have good reason to focus on what’s next. The upcoming races—NHMS, Kansas, and the Charlotte Roval—present solid opportunities for Elliott to advance toward the championship, particularly if he and his team can repeat the form shown at Gateway. Success on these tracks could propel Elliott into the Round of 8, reinforcing his reputation as a formidable contender in the Cup Series.
The Chase Elliott playoff redemption push now takes center stage as the season enters its decisive phase, with the next three weeks set to determine whether NASCAR’s favorite driver can transform adversity into another deep playoff run.
