Chase Elliott voiced his disappointment with his team’s pit call following the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, pointing out that a different strategy could have led to a better finish. The Chase Elliott pit strategy reaction was at the center of post-race discussions, as he reflected on how decisions in the pits played a key role in his outcome.
Elliott’s Race Experience and Strategy Decisions at New Hampshire
Starting near the back of the field, Chase Elliott managed to climb into the top ten by the second stage, showing resilience as he passed several competitors. The Team Penske Fords, led by their drivers’ tire management, set the pace out front and controlled much of the race. In a critical moment during the final stage, Cody Ware’s spin triggered a caution and brought strategy into focus for the leaders.
Most lead drivers opted to pit for new tires under this caution, but Elliott and Josh Berry made the choice to stay out. With 12-lap old tires, Elliott found it difficult to defend his position, ultimately being overtaken by Joey Logano, another Penske driver. Still, Elliott managed to hold off Christopher Bell and secure a fifth-place finish.
Reflecting on the outcome, Elliott shared his perspective on the strategic call and what it meant for the No. 9 Chevy team:
“The day was good for the No. 9 Chevy team. Just hate we had to not pit for track position because you want to be up there in the mix. But the way it all worked out, we got some stage points there in Stage Two and got a good result with a top-five finish. We’ll go to Kansas (Speedway) and try it again. No, there’s no such thing as being safe in this deal. We’ll just lay it out there again next weekend and hope for the best.”
— Chase Elliott, Driver
Impacts on the Playoff Standings and Team Outcomes
Despite the pit strategy not working to perfection, Elliott maintains a strong playoff position, currently sitting seventh in the standings. The Georgian driver now holds a 14-point cushion over the cutoff, with Chase Briscoe narrowly behind him by just two points. Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron took third place in the same race, moving him up to second in the playoffs, while Ryan Blaney secured victory in the 301-lap race and locked in his spot for the final eight championship contenders.
Track Position: Elliott Discusses Winning Races and Race Dynamics
In a recent interview with Fox’s Chris Weaver, Elliott talked about how important track position is in modern NASCAR, emphasizing that victory often comes down to being in the right position at the right time due to the competitiveness of the field.
“That’s kind of the name of the game nowadays. Everybody’s pretty close and you know, you get those top five or six guys and throughout a race and you give them the lead at the right time, they’re probably going to win, you know. So, you just want to be in the mix there to have a shot,” Elliott said. [7:40 onwards]
— Chase Elliott, Driver
Looking Ahead: Elliott Prepares for Kansas Speedway
With the next playoff race approaching, Chase Elliott prepares to race at Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400. His last appearance at Kansas saw him finish outside the top ten, and he has not visited Victory Lane at the track since 2018. As he heads into this important 267-lap event, the focus will be on whether adjustments in pit strategy and execution can deliver the result the No. 9 team is seeking amongst a tightly contested championship battle.
As competition heats up and playoff pressure mounts, the reaction to pit strategy decisions like the one at New Hampshire can play a pivotal role in shaping outcomes for Elliott, his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, and drivers from teams including Team Penske. Attention will now turn to Kansas, where close margins and pivotal calls may again be the deciding factors.
