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Elliott Finishes 31st after Being Collected in Last-Lap Accident at Talladega

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA NIGHTVISION LAMPS

Chase Elliott and the NAPA Nightvision Lamps team raced inside the top ten for much of Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway before a last-lap accident relegated the No. 9 to a 31st-place finish.

Elliott and the No. 9 NAPA Nightvision Lamps team took the green flag in fifth at Talladega Superspeedway. When an early caution came out on Lap 12, the NAPA team elected to visit pit road for fuel only. Elliott returned to the track and took the ensuing restart from eighth. He maintained his top-ten position through the duration of Stage 1 to take the green-checkered flag in seventh despite coasting across the line after running out of fuel coming out of Turn 4.

Due to the No. 9 team’s fuel situation, crew chief Alan Gustafson called Elliott to pit road for four fresh tires and fuel before pit road was open. Elliott was penalized for pitting before pit road was open and was forced to take the Stage 2 green flag from the rear of the field.

 

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA NIGHTVISION LAMPS

 

Elliott went to work quickly in Stage 2. By Lap 87, he was back inside the top 15. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native tried on multiple occasions to get a high line rolling, but couldn’t gain any momentum. After a quick caution on Lap 105, Elliott went three wide and eventually moved to the bottom line, settling in behind teammate Alex Bowman before ultimately finishing the segment 15th.

During the stage break, Elliott visited pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment and the NAPA Nightvision Lamps Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 lined up 21st for the ensuing restart. The No. 9 driver steadily climbed his way back inside the top ten and was up to sixth by Lap 131. Elliott continued his charge to the front and worked to keep the high line rolling, but two laps later it fizzled out, dropping Elliott to 12th.

Following a caution with under 30 laps remaining, Elliott reported he was happy with the handling of his NAPA Chevy. After a quick pit stop by the No. 9 team, Elliott lined up 11th for the restart on Lap 165. He gained some momentum and was scored sixth as a 12-car breakaway began.

 

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA NIGHTVISION LAMPS

 

Elliott remained persistent in trying to make the high line work but was once again unsuccessful as he fell to 11th. The No. 9 NAPA Chevy continued to race inside the top 15 when the final caution of the race waved at Lap 187. Elliott received minor damage from the on-track accident that brought out the caution and sent the race into overtime.

On the final lap, Elliott was involved in a multi-car accident, resulting in a 31st-place finish.

 

Start / Finish: 5 / 31
Points Earned: 10
Playoff Points Standing / Total: 8th (advancing on to Round of 8) / 3066 pts.

 

Next Race: October 21, Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

 

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Chase Elliott: @ChaseElliott
Hendrick Motorsports: @TeamHendrick
No. 9 Team: @Hendrick9Team

Hendrick Motorsports View All

Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (312) and laps led (more than 82,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 40 different seasons, including an active streak of 39 in a row (1986-2024). Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, the team fields four full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, including the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet driven by 2020 champion Chase Elliott.

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