In 2016, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott looked back on some of his most reckless moments off the race track, calling his snowboarding adventures “pretty dumb” due to risky trips off groomed trails into unmarked areas. Elliott, who learned to snowboard almost as soon as he could walk and even practiced flips on a couch before starting kindergarten, viewed snowboarding as a way to clear his mind from NASCAR pressures and maintain his fitness.
During an interview with Jeff Gluck for the 12 Questions series, Elliott was asked about his most daring non-racing activity. He admitted to having been in dangerous situations while exploring beyond the usual snowboarding paths.
“I’ve probably been in some dumb situations snowboarding. I’d say snowboarding in general isn’t a dangerous deal, but you can get yourself into some bad spots. Unfortunately, I have probably been pretty dumb with that in getting off the beaten path. Looking back on it, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing,” Chase Elliott said via USA Today Sports.
Serious Injury Nearly Derails 2023 Season
Despite earlier warnings, Elliott persisted with his snowboarding habits, which led to a significant accident in 2023 in Colorado. He fractured his left tibia, requiring surgery at the U.S. Olympic National Medical Center. The injury forced him to miss six NASCAR Cup races that year. From the emergency room, Elliott promptly contacted his crew chief to arrange for a substitute driver, Josh Berry, who took over the No. 9 Chevrolet for five of those events.
Elliott described the crash as a “perfect storm,” emphasizing that he was not attempting anything extreme or reckless when the injury occurred. He maintained his commitment to snowboarding despite the setback.
“The accident could have happened tripping down stairs or on a jog. I wasn’t out doing anything that was wild or crazy. I don’t agree with that viewpoint of well, you shouldn’t have been doing this or you shouldn’t have been doing that,” Chase Elliott said (via Autoweek).
Impact on Performance and Career Highlights After Injury
The snowboarding injury contributed to Elliott finishing 17th in the driver standings in 2023, marking the first time he missed NASCAR playoffs and the worst finish since his rookie full-time season in 2016. After recovering, he also faced a one-race suspension following a deliberate crash with Denny Hamlin during the Coca-Cola 600. Despite these challenges, Elliott managed 15 top-ten finishes in 29 starts that season and continued to hold the title of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for the sixth consecutive year.
In the following year, Elliott rebounded with a stronger performance, securing one victory and ten additional top-10 finishes, ultimately placing seventh in the final standings.
Ongoing Commitment to Snowboarding Despite Risks
Chase Elliott’s openness about the risks he has taken with snowboarding sheds light on the delicate balance athletes maintain between personal interests and professional responsibilities. Even after serious injury, he has remained committed to the sport, viewing it as a vital mental and physical outlet beyond racing.
