Elliott Leads Laps, Claims Stage Win before Late-Race Misfortune

• Chase Elliott and the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team qualified sixth for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
• Elliott spent the majority of the afternoon racing inside the top five, leading a total of 67 laps.
• The 30-year-old driver finished fourth in the first stage before capturing the stage two victory.
• After leading the field early in the final stage, Elliott’s day came to an abrupt end following an on-track incident on lap 148, resulting in a 32nd-place finish.
• Despite the early end, Elliott remains fourth in the Cup Series standings.

Chase Elliott and the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team qualified sixth for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Elliott quickly established himself as a contender near the front of the field, advancing into the top five before an early caution on lap three. Through a series of restarts during the opening stage, Elliott consistently maintained track position inside the top five while continuing to learn the balance of his No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet. As the stage progressed, he settled into fourth and remained there through the end of stage one, collecting valuable stage points.

Under the stage break, crew chief Alan Gustafson called Elliott to pit road for four tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. The changes paid dividends as Elliott methodically worked his way forward throughout stage two. After climbing to third, a caution on lap 64 set up a strategy call that proved pivotal. The No. 9 team elected to take two right-side tires and fuel, allowing Elliott to win the race off pit road and inherit the lead. Elliott controlled the pace through multiple cautions and restarts, repeatedly fending off challengers at the front of the field. Despite briefly surrendering the top spot, he reclaimed the lead and ultimately drove away to secure the stage two victory.

The team elected to make no adjustments during the stage break, bringing Elliott to pit road for four tires and fuel while maintaining the lead for the start of the final stage. Elliott continued to pace the field before a caution on lap 142 brought the leaders back to pit road. Following service, the No. 9 restarted fifth and was positioned to contend for the win in the closing laps. Unfortunately, Elliott was involved in an on-track incident on lap 148 while running inside the top five, resulting in race-ending damage to the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy. Elliott was relegated to a 32nd-place finish.

Elliott led 67 laps and earned his second stage win of the season before the late-race incident cut short a strong performance at Michigan International Speedway. Despite the tough end to the day, the 2020 Cup Series champion remains fourth in the standings.

“I thought the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet team had a really solid day going, we just needed to finish it off,” Elliott said of the day at Michigan overall. “We were able to lead some laps, get a stage win and stage points. I’m not sure what the rest of the day was going to bring, but it was solid overall. We were going to have a shot at it, and we just needed to get there to find out.”

Start / Finish: 6 / 32
Points Standing / Total: 4th / 482 pts. (-187)

Next Race: Sunday, June 14, Pocono Raceway
How to Watch or Listen: 3:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video, SiriusXM or MRN

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