Chase Elliott Looks at the Positives at Talladega

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs 

Chase Elliott heads into Talladega Super Speedway with the opportunity of advancing into the Round of 8 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on his mind.

Elliott, who finished 38th last weekend at Dover with an engine failure, sits 11th in the playoff standings, just seven points away from the cutoff position.

“We do have an opportunity here.” Elliott said of this weekend at the 2.66-mile track. “I don’t want to just completely toss the opportunity here. I know it’s a toss up and anything can happen, but it is an opportunity and they still award points at this race and they still give out a sticker on Sunday.”

The Hendrick Motorsports driver’s game plan for the 1000Bulbs.com 500 isn’t unfamiliar from the spring, where he worked with his teammates, led 45 laps and earned his first victory of the season.

“I think it’ll be really similar from all fronts, and I’m sure all manufacturers will be kinda doing the same thing. The playoff picture is obviously important to some of the guys in each respective group, I suppose.”

Elliott’s mindset ahead of the weekend is simple: stay calm, focus on the bigger picture, and avoid the “Big One.”

“Odds of you hitting something at some point I’d say are pretty good. I think you have to take it for what it is. It’s a toss up whether you make it through the race on Sunday, but somebody’s gonna make it through the event, and somebody’s gonna get a win and somebody’s gonna get the points that come along with it.”

“You would certainly rather that be your team than watch somebody else. I just think you have to always keep that in mind as much as you may not enjoy it.”

Elliott ran 26th in first practice on Friday and 17th in final practice. Qualifying is after the conclusion of the Gander Outdoors Truck Series’ Sugarland Shine 250 at 4:35 p.m./ET.

Chase Elliott Looks at the Positives at Talladega Chase Elliott Looks at the Positives at Talladega Reviewed by Anonymous on Friday, October 11, 2019 Rating: 5