At a pivotal juncture in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs where there are zero mulligans, Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team made one pit-road mistake too many in Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
A penalty for an uncontrolled tire during a round of green flag pit stops in the opening race of the Round of 8 put Elliott a lap down, and while he was able to eventually get back onto the lead lap, the 2020 Cup Series champion didn’t make much hay.
When the checkered flag flew, Elliott finished 18th. He leaves Las Vegas sixth on the Cup Series playoff grid, 23 points below the cut line.
Pit-road penalty a huge setback for Chase Elliott