Friday, December 1, 2023
NASCARNASCAR Cup SeriesChase Elliott to Miss Las Vegas Race, Josh Berry Slated to Fill...

Chase Elliott to Miss Las Vegas Race, Josh Berry Slated to Fill In

By Justin Schuoler, Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS – Chase Elliott will miss the third round of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule in the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Motor Speedway due to a leg injury.

Five-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver suffered an injury to his left leg while snowboarding in Colorado. According to a statement by Hendrick Motorsports, the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will undergo surgery on Friday evening.

“Chase’s health is our primary concern,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “He’s spoken with several members of our team and is understandably disappointed to miss time in the car. Of course, he has our full support, and we’ll provide any resources he needs. We hope to share another update later this weekend.”

The driver listed to fill in for Elliott will be 2017 CARS Late Model Stock champion and current NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry. It will be Berry’s third career start at NASCAR’s top level, making the JR Motorsports driver run double duty in Las Vegas.

“It’s been an interesting couple of hours,” said Berry after a fifth place qualifying effort in his Xfinity car. “First off, just hope Chase can recover and be back in the thing soon. But it’s a great opportunity for me. I just want to thank Mr. Hendrick and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports to think enough of me to do it. It’s going to be interesting but I’m looking forward to it.”

Because of a backup car, Berry will have to start at the rear of the field for Saturday’s Also Uniforms 300.

There is no return date yet set for the 2020 Cup Series champion.

Justin Schuoler
Justin Schuoler
Justin’s experience starts back in the mid-90s racing dirt bikes and ATVs. He won a local championship in 1999, and competed in multiple endurance grand prix races across Southern California. In 2015, he shifted from two wheels to four wheels, winning his first sprint kart race and finishing second in that championship. Now he works as a race official with that very club while working on making a comeback to the track. Simultaneously, his journalism career began with NASCAR and Supercross. First started with Speedway Media, he now works as the web developer and tech manager for Kickin’ the Tires. He met his significant other at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and after he and Rachel married in 2018, they together have covered west coast races in karting, Supercross, NASCAR, drag racing, dirt racing, World of Outlaws, and even a visit to his original motocross club.
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