LEBANON, Tenn. — Chase Elliott prefers to view what has become a very challenging NASCAR season for him as opportunity, not pressure.
The 27-year-old Hendrick Motorports driver from Dawsonville, Georgia, is in his eighth full-time season of Cup Series competition. He has been voted most popular driver by fans the past five years. He won the overall championship in 2020. And just last year, he posted a career-high five wins and was atop the points standings at the end of the regular season.
Now, as the Cup Series returns from the lone break on a 2023 schedule with 36 points races, Elliott is 27th in the standings. He has started only nine of 16 races, missing six in March and April after breaking his left leg while snowboarding and missing another early this month while suspended for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin during the Coca-Cola 600.
Elliott sits 278 points behind leader Martin Truex Jr. with time running out to qualify for the postseason, and he knows it. He also knows simply worrying about the situation won’t change it.
“We’re in a tough spot, but I think it’s a good opportunity to go and have some fun and embrace the challenge,” Elliott said. “And that’s really kind of where my head’s at.”