During a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Gateway, Chase Elliott accidentally caused a spin involving Josh Berry in the opening laps, putting Berry’s playoff hopes in jeopardy. The collision happened as Elliott moved up on the track corner, clipping the rear left of Berry’s car and spinning him into the wall, resulting in severe damage that ended Berry’s race early.
Elliott Expresses Regret Immediately After the Crash
Following the race, where Elliott secured a third-place finish, he quickly addressed the incident in a post-race interview, offering a sincere apology to Berry and his team.
First off just want to apologize to Josh and the 21 team,
Elliott said. I had no intention of getting into him. I’ve known those guys my whole life, so I just hope that they at least know it wasn’t anything intentional.
Known Josh for a long time, too, so just want to make sure those guys know that I feel terrible about that. Felt terrible about it right when it happened and wish I could take it back. Yeah, unfortunately that transpired.
Details of the Crash and Its Impact on Berry’s Race
The incident unfolded when Elliott, running low on the track entering a turn, came up and made contact with Berry’s car. The force of the collision spun Berry into the outer wall, causing catastrophic damage to his vehicle, especially the front left wheel, forcing him to finish 36th and effectively ending his playoff run after two early wrecks in consecutive weeks.
Positive Momentum for Elliott Despite the Controversy
While the wreck was a serious setback for Berry, Elliott’s day went much better competitively. He expressed satisfaction with his car’s performance and his ability to compete near the front of the pack, which boosted his confidence heading into the crucial final stretch of the playoffs.
Really proud of our effort,
Elliott said.
I thought we had really good pace in our NAPA Chevy today. I was able to be on good offense, put ourselves in some good spots throughout the course of the race. Had good restarts and got ourselves up there in the mix. We probably weren’t the very best, but I thought we were really close.
Playoff Standings and Outlook for Upcoming Races
Currently sitting ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings, Elliott holds a 28-point advantage over the elimination cut line as the season nears its final weekend. He is optimistic about maintaining or improving his position with consistent performances, especially with the next race scheduled at Bristol.
As respectable as we’ve been in some time, in my opinion,
Elliott reflected on his Sunday performance, adding,
Hopefully we can carry that forward into Bristol next week, would be a fun one to do it at.
Significance of the Incident and What Lies Ahead
The spin incident involving Elliott and Berry underscores the high stakes and tension in NASCAR’s playoff races, where even minor contact can drastically change a driver’s championship chances. Elliott’s apology highlights the respect among competitors despite on-track clashes, while Berry faces a critical challenge to keep his season alive. With Elliott aiming to continue his strong form and Berry seeking redemption, the next races promise to deliver intense competition and drama.
