By Matt Courson, Staff Writer
MARTINSVILLE, VA. — Chase Elliott is now in a must-win situation to advance to the Championship 4 in Miami after experiencing an axle failure in the First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
Elliott pulled his No. 9 Napa Chevrolet behind the wall on lap 195 to repair the broken axle and gears. The team returned to the track on lap 236, 52 laps down. NASCAR allowed the team to make repairs to the car because the failure was mechanical related.
The Georgia-native is no stranger to mechanical failures in the Playoffs this season. At Dover, the engine expired on lap 8, resulting in a last place finish. Similarly, Elliott also blew an engine in practice at Martinsville Speedway.
“Yes, they do,” is all Elliott had to say about being concerned about mechanical failures entering the final three races of the 2019 season.
Elliott is now last in the Playoff standings, 44 points below the Playoff cutline entering next weekend’s event at Texas Motor Speedway where he finished 13th earlier this year.
I think someone is messing with chases cars before the race you don’t see any other Hendrick driver having a problem something don’t smell rite. sorry.
it looks like someone is messing with chases car before the races.none of the other Hendrick drivers are having a problem. something don’t smell rite. sorry
to me it looks like someone is messing with chases car before the race. no orther Hendrick driver are have mechanical problems just chase that needs to tell you something.deal with it # GO CHASE.