Since becoming a member of the NASCAR Cup Collection in 2016, Elliott has by no means missed the playoffs earlier than. In reality, he is by no means ended the season decrease than tenth within the standings.
Sadly, he can finish this yr no increased than seventeenth after lacking out on the playoffs.
Elliott has had the velocity, and holds the fifth-best common end amongst full-time drivers this yr. Nevertheless, he missed six races on account of a leg harm and a seventh after being suspended for deliberately wrecking Denny Hamlin, which put him right into a must-win state of affairs.
A fourth-place end at Daytona was a great day by itself, however not what he wanted.
On the ultimate time beyond regulation restart, Elliott was the second automotive on the within line with two Hendrick Motorsports team-mates lined up straight behind him. Regardless of that, it was not sufficient ultimately.
“I actually preferred the place we have been earlier than the warning,” stated Elliott. “Truthfully, after the restart there, we had the underside lane that we wished. I knew the No. 6 [Brad Keselowski] was going to go together with the No. 17 [Chris Buescher]. I believed the No. 4 [Kevin Harvick] was going to take the underside, and so they did. We actually had all the assistance we might ask for behind.
“I could not keep locked onto Kevin like I wanted to to surge the underside lane ahead. Brad and Chris have been there. Simply had a ok maintain on that prime lane, and so they might type of management every of them.”
Elliott could also be out of the driving force’s playoffs, however there may be nonetheless one thing left to struggle for with the No. 9 HMS Chevrolet.
“It is a bummer, for certain. Hate the season has labored out prefer it has. The excellent news is the automotive received in within the proprietor’s factors. That is an enormous deal. Credit score to Alan [crew chief Alan Gustafson] and everyone for persevering with to work and scratch and claw whereas I used to be out to maintain our workforce alive and to offer ourselves an opportunity.
“That is an enormous deal, in all probability a lot greater than lots of people notice to our workforce. Trying ahead to those subsequent 10. Attempt to make somewhat noise on that facet of issues and simply attempt to prepare and ready for subsequent yr.
“However I admire everyone’s assist via this season. Hasn’t been what I might need by any means. Actually going to be some classes taken from it, and I believe we’ll be higher for it on the opposite finish.”
