With about 30 laps left in the NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA, Chase Elliott was given a drive-through penalty for cutting into the track. The esse is the only part of the route where route restrictions apply. Elliott ran through Turn 3. Well, Chase Elliott didn’t do it on purpose. Hendrick’s driver came loose and had to be corrected, causing him to miss the line. Alan Gustafson wanted to appeal the ruling because it was a secondary ruling. However, NASCAR enforced the penalty. When Elliott completed his sentence, he was already outside the top 15. He went from 5th place to 16th place.
Chase Elliott Penalty
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— Skewcar (@Skewcar)
March 24, 2024
His team tried to present their case but were rejected. “He got loose, NASCAR.” – Alan Gustafson said about the penalty on Chase Elliott Radio. “If it helps, please show me some data or something,” Chase said.
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall)
March 24, 2024
Chase Elliott was once a road course ace. He has won seven road races. Elliott hasn’t won a race on a road course since 2021, but he still leads all active drivers in road course wins. He ran well in this race, but ran away at the wrong time. There are route restrictions and such cases may occur. Bad luck comes at the worst possible time. Elliott is one of the drivers having a bad break today, along with his teammate Kyle Larson. But his other teammates are fighting for the win.
Chase Elliott struggling in 2024
This season hasn’t turned out the way Chase Elliott originally hoped. Elliott has struggled to finish races since breaking his leg while snowboarding last year. In some races last season, he relied on pit strategy and precautions to gain position on the track.
Last week’s win at Bristol was Elliott’s first top-10 finish of the season. He hasn’t been looking to win for a long time. His average score this season is 13.6. “What if” might happen again today.
It was more of a race for the 9th place team, and even though he didn’t have the speed to beat Elliott, it would have been nice to finish inside the top five. He was once the best road racer in the Cup Series. Now that we have entered the next generation era, things have changed. You’re a better driver and you’re closer to your car than ever before. All you can really do is go ahead and try again. Elliott has talent and has even won races with next generation cars. He needs to have a full day under his belt and build confidence in himself and the team. The word “mediocre” would best describe the No. 9 team’s season.
