Chase Elliott’s playoff hopes suffered a severe blow during the 2024 Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, where a critical pit road mistake spiraled into chaos and ultimately a race-ending crash. Elliott, driving the No. 9 car for Hendrick Motorsports, entered Richmond with high expectations and a daring tire strategy designed to maximize his performance in the closing laps but was forced to confront harsh consequences of a misstep on the tight quarter-mile oval.
Elliott’s plan involved skipping a tire change during Stage 1 while his competitors, including Alex Bowman and Justin Haley, opted for fresh tires. This move was intended to give Elliott an advantage late in the race by preserving a favorable tire set for the final stages. However, when Elliott pitted during the stage break, his car clipped the pit stall of Chase Briscoe, resulting in a vehicle interference penalty that relegated him to the rear of the pack. The penalty erased any potential gain his tire conservation might have secured and trapped him in heavy traffic.
How a Pit Stall Collision and Multi-Car Crash Ended Elliott’s Night
As Elliott attempted to recover from the penalty, disaster struck again on Lap 199 in a massive 13-car wreck initiated by Kyle Busch. The incident began when Chase Briscoe tried to move inside Kyle Larson but was squeezed by Busch, setting off a chain reaction that engulfed numerous drivers. Elliott was hit directly by Busch’s car, causing Elliott’s No. 9 vehicle to crash violently into the frontstretch wall and resulting in his first DNF (Did Not Finish) of the season.
This crash not only abruptly ended Elliott’s race but also severely impacted his pursuit of the regular-season points championship. Despite showing resilience throughout the season and completing nearly every lap before this event, Elliott’s playoff standing now faces significant uncertainty. The wreck dramatically reshuffled positions, with William Byron managing to move from 27th to 18th thanks to fresh tires, widening the points gap for the title run.
Elliott’s Reflections on the Richmond Pit Lane Challenges
In the aftermath, Elliott openly acknowledged the pit road mistake and the challenges faced on Richmond’s cramped pit lane, which has previously caused issues for him at tracks like Phoenix and Martinsville. He revealed his intention to review the incident carefully, stating,
“Yeah, I’ll have to go back and watch it. You know it seems like it’s happened a lot lately… it’s a really tough position, especially when you’re directly behind the car that’s pitted right behind your stall.” —Chase Elliott
He further admitted responsibility for being overly aggressive during his pit entry, explaining,
“I had to go back and watch it. Obviously, I got too aggressive with it, but it was… an unfortunate situation.” —Chase Elliott
These comments reflect Elliott’s awareness of the fine line drivers must navigate in high-pressure moments on pit road and his willingness to learn from errors, even when the consequences are costly.
The Escalating Chaos of the Second Half at Richmond
The final portion of the Cook Out 400 devolved into an intense and chaotic sequence, earning comparisons to a demolition derby as cautions multiplied and damage mounted across the field. The multi-car wreck on Lap 199 was particularly devastating, involving 13 drivers and effectively ending Elliott’s bid to fight his way back into contention. The turmoil began when Briscoe attempted an aggressive move inside Larson, only to be cramped by Busch, sparking the chain reaction.
Despite Elliott’s efforts to avoid the wreckage, he was unfortunately caught in the collision. When recounting the crash, Elliott expressed confusion over the incident’s cause, saying,
“I have no idea what happened still… I was just trying to squeak by, and I guess somebody didn’t know I was done there.” —Chase Elliott
This unexpected conclusion shattered Elliott’s streak of consistent finishes and underscored the unpredictable dangers of racing on a short, crowded track like Richmond.
The Greater Impact on the Playoff Race and What Lies Ahead
With the regular season nearing its close, Elliott’s Richmond struggles place increased pressure on him to rebound in upcoming events. The points gap widened significantly in favor of drivers like William Byron, who, despite some race damage, was able to advance positions late, further complicating Elliott’s path to the playoffs. Analysts and fans alike are left to speculate if Elliott can overcome this setback to remain a top contender.
This race serves as a stark reminder of how a single moment—whether a pit lane misjudgment or a multi-car collision—can dramatically alter a driver’s championship trajectory. For Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports, the focus will now be on regrouping, correcting mistakes, and mounting a strong recovery as the pressure intensifies in the crucial stretch toward the playoffs.
Took another look at the multi-car wreck that ended with Kyle Busch hooking Chase Elliott into the wall. By the time the spotter indicated Busch still had a car inside the contact had already happened. Just a bang-bang play moreso than anything else. pic.twitter.com/sKTS8VaV9z — Steven Taranto, NASCAR Analyst
