Chase Elliott radios back surprising message to – Sports News
Chase Elliott made a startling confession shortly earlier than coasting down victory lane at Martinsville Speedway.
On Sunday, Elliott — who was dealt a pair of crushing punishments earlier this month — secured his first win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season within the Cook Out 400. The Hendrick Motorsports driver claimed a late lead during the ultimate stage following a warning period earlier than narrowly warding off a number of challenges from Denny Hamlin within the closing laps.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Elliott stated. “That was awesome, man. We’ve never had a win this early in the season so just a really great team effort. So proud of Alan and the whole team. They did a great job, but just so proud of them. They put up with a lot, and they got to put up with me all the time. So I just appreciate them for sticking with me.”
At instances during the race, Elliott’s hopes of claiming the checkered flag appeared to be too far out of attain. Hamlin was in firm control for a lot of the opening two phases, main 163 of the primary 169 laps.
Elliott, in the meantime, struggled mightily to distance himself from the center of the pack. Yet upon shedding the twelfth place to Ryan Preece, the 30-year-old nonetheless expressed confidence in his car’s skills. “I actually like my balance, as much as that might surprise you, if I can just manage,” he declared over the staff radio.
With Elliott’s probabilities of successful dwindling, crew chief Alan Gustafson opted to pit the No. 9 Chevrolet earlier than most of the opposite drivers working on the entrance of the sector. “We took a gamble,” NASCAR’s eight-time hottest driver stated.
“We had been going to two-stop that final stage. Honestly I feel it was going to work out actually good for us both method. Just so proud of them, man. They put up with a lot, and so they acquired to put up with me all of the time. So I simply respect them for sticking with me. It sure is a lot of enjoyable when days like this work out.”
The dangerous determination quickly paid off, as Elliott took the lead from Ross Chastain after a restart en route to main the ultimate 69 laps. “This whole deal is really weird, just the way it all works,” he stated.
“I told them there — about, I don’t know, three quarters of the way through — I really don’t dislike my balance. I just wish I could control my runs a little better. And fortunately we got to the lead there on that last one and fell into a really good pace, and just had enough.
“I think we probably needed a little bit to be just the absolute best outright, but we were really close. I was able to manage and save enough to get through traffic there at the end. “It’s really cool when this stuff works out, and to win these races is so tough. So [I’m] just really, really grateful for the opportunity, as always. I never take it for granted, trust me. This is a dream come true for me.”
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