NASCAR analyst Jeff Gluck recently expressed confidence in Chase Elliott’s ability to make the playoffs this season despite not having secured a win. Though Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, has yet to reach victory lane in 2024—his last triumph was in April at Texas—Gluck insists Elliott’s consistent performances virtually guarantee his playoff spot.
Gluck explained on The Teardown podcast that while several drivers already have multiple wins, there remain playoff spots to be filled based on points standings. Elliott, currently holding a significant positive points margin, is expected to qualify regardless of any potential setbacks.
Points Lead and Consistency Boost Elliott’s Playoff Prospect
According to Gluck, Elliott stands at plus 142 points in the standings, which places him safely ahead of many competitors, including contenders like Tyler Reddick.
“Three guys that have three wins a piece, then there’s six drivers that have one win each, so there’s seven spots right now available for the playoffs on points, and obviously, you look at Chase Elliot is plus 142, Reddick is plus 138, they’re going to make it. I mean, even with a massive meltdown of horrible proportions and terrible luck, they’re still going to make it,”
Gluck stated.
In addition to his points advantage, Elliott has delivered solid race finishes all season, never dropping below 20th place. His record includes three top-five results and four top-ten finishes, evidencing his steady accumulation of points despite the absence of a win.
Gluck also commented on Hendrick Motorsports’ overall strategy, noting that while the team was in a decent position at Michigan, an unfortunate caution flag and a risky fuel mileage decision negatively impacted their outcome.
Comparing Seasons: Alex Bowman’s Struggles Versus Elliott’s Stability
While Elliott’s season remains steady though winless, teammate Alex Bowman has faced tougher challenges. Gluck highlighted Bowman’s difficulties this year, which starkly contrast with those of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates.
“Alex Bowman, oh man Bowman’s bad stretch here has got him to only plus 13 very uncomfortable for him by the way I see a lot of like well Bowman doesn’t belong in the car that wasn’t even his fault today he got completely cleaned out turned head first into the wall,” Gluck said.
Bowman’s downturn was further discussed by co-host Jordan Bianchi, who pointed out that Bowman’s season has taken a negative turn marked by a series of poor finishes. Although Bowman came close to winning at Homestead and managed a fifth-place finish at Kansas, his performance has declined sharply since then.
Since his strong result at Kansas, Bowman has only recorded one top-five and one top-ten finish, with seven races ending outside the top 20. This slump led to a drop in the points standings, falling from third to 13th in just nine races, according to Bianchi.
Implications for the Playoff Picture and Team Dynamics
Elliott’s sustained performance, despite the lack of victories, positions him well to secure a playoff berth, underscoring the value of consistency in the current NASCAR points system. On the other hand, Bowman’s season highlights how quickly fortunes can change and the impact of bad luck on a driver’s championship hopes.
For Hendrick Motorsports, managing these contrasting seasons remains critical as the playoffs approach. Elliott’s reliability offers a strong foundation, but the team will need to address Bowman’s challenges to maximize their potential for success in the postseason.
