As Elliott Seeks First 2023 Victory, He Revisits His Home Track in Atlanta

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Chase Elliott, former 2020 Cup Series Champion, doesn’t believe he can replicate his success from the previous year, especially as he returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway, the launchpad of his journey to NASCAR’s playoffs.

Elliott’s journey in 2023 has been plagued with challenges, dampening his expectations of making a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. His spirits were further dampened on Saturday when he only managed to qualify 23rd, while Aric Almirola seized the pole position, marking another triumphant day for Ford at Atlanta’s qualifiers.

As Elliott gears up for Sunday night’s Atlanta race, he currently ranks 24th in the Cup Series standings. Despite having claimed victory in Atlanta the previous summer, Elliott is yet to secure his first win of this season.

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His recent track record includes a third-place finish in last week’s street race in Chicago, marking his third consecutive top-five finish. This might suggest that Elliott could secure his playoff spot by accumulating more points through competitive finishes. However, achieving his first win this season would certainly ease the pressure.

Elliott has missed seven races this year, one due to a suspension following NASCAR’s ruling that he intentionally caused Denny Hamlin to crash, and the rest due to a snowboarding accident that broke his leg.

Despite these setbacks, Elliott believes his team’s struggles stem from more than just missed races. He thinks that Hendrick Motorsports has lost the magic touch it had during the victorious streak last summer at Nashville, Atlanta, and Pocono. Elliott believes that changes in the racing field and modifications with the tire are among the factors contributing to their struggles.

Elliott takes solace in the fact that his team is making steady progress.

FORD CONTINUES TO DOMINATE QUALIFIERS

Ford vehicles continued to shine in Atlanta’s first 2023 race, with the top eight qualifiers, including the eventual race winner Joey Logano. Aric Almirola’s win on Saturday marks another dominant day for Ford, with Ryan Blaney taking the second spot.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Elliott and Busch are the favorites to win with odds of 11/1.

RECALLING THE PAST

In Atlanta’s spring race on March 19, Logano overtook Keselowski on the final lap to claim victory while Elliott was still nursing a broken leg. Logano hasn’t claimed another win since, but on Saturday, he expressed his comfort in having secured a place in the playoffs.

NIGHT RACING DEBUT

For the first time since 2014, Atlanta Motor Speedway will host a weekend of night racing. This comes as a relief from the intense summer heat for both the drivers and the spectators.

ADDITIONAL PIT ROAD ADJUSTMENTS

For this race, the speed limit for pit road has been increased to 90 mph under green between Turns 3 and 4, while it remains at 45 mph under yellow.

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More about Chase Elliott

• NASCAR
• Chase Elliott’s Official Profile
• Atlanta Motor Speedway
• Hendrick Motorsports
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• 2023 NASCAR Cup Series