Chase Elliott’s streak of finishing in the top 20 for all NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024 ended on the final lap of the July 7 Chicago race, where he finished 21st. During the July 14 race at Pocono, the 2020 champion’s streak was broken in the final stage when NASCAR police stopped him and three other drivers for speeding, including Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, in a section of the track that had caused confusion earlier in the day when the teams made their pit-road runs before the race.
It was the No. 9 pilot’s first speeding penalty in 92 races, and crew chief Alan Gustafson didn’t disguise his feelings over the sanctioning body’s decision when discussing the issue with his driver over the team radio.
“How much too fast were we?” Elliot asked.
“.16 mile an hour,” Gustafson said.
“I don’t understand why the rest of the day had been fine,” the driver inquired. “I don’t feel like I was that much different.”
“That zone was way off from the get-go,” his crew chief explained. “It has been way off. You’re basically flying blind on this. It has been wrong, therefore don’t dwell on it. Unfortunately, they did not admit their own guilt there.”
Chase Elliott didn’t agree with NASCAR’s decision. Earlier in Weekend
Interestingly, this was not the first time the No. 9 team has disagreed with a NASCAR decision. During July 13 media availability, a reporter asked Chase Elliott about the Bubba Wallace punishment from Chicago and whether he thought it was justified.
“I don’t really think he should have been fined,” Elliott remarked. “I mean, I understand, I get it, but man you’re getting in the weeds with some of that stuff.”And no one was wounded, and it was unfortunate, I suppose — simply the circumstances, Alex winning the race, and such. But I didn’t view it as a big problem.
Elliott Best in Cup Series
While Kyle Larson and William Byron have received the majority of the limelight in 2024 as HMS drivers, with three wins each, Elliott has quietly been not only the most consistent driver in the four-car organization, but also in the whole Cup field, with a series-best 10.5 average finishing position.
Elliott has an amazing AFP of 11.7, which is an entire position higher than Tyler Reddick in second place. Interestingly, the rest of the top five are all HMS drivers, with William Byron in third at 12.8, Alex Bowman at 13.3, and Kyle Larson at 13.6.
Chris Buescher is the first Ford in the group, finishing sixth and tied with Martin Truex Jr. at 14. Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski (tied at 14.4), as well as Ty Gibbs (14.7), round out the top 10. Reigning champion Ryan Blaney, who won his second race of 2024 at Pocono, is ranked 11th at 14.9.
That’s why Elliott’s average finishing place is so outstanding. He has fewer wins than the series’ multi-winners, including his two colleagues, but he has avoided disastrous finishes and has consistently finished inside the top 20, as he did at the Tricky Triangle. He finished ninth.
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