Chase Elliott’s playoff struggles intensified following a crash at the Bristol race on September 17, 2025, jeopardizing his chances of advancing further in the NASCAR playoffs. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was involved in a multi-car collision late in the race, which abruptly ended his day and reduced the valuable points he needed to strengthen his standing.
Despite the setback, Elliott remains seventh in the playoff rankings due to accumulated points but faces an uphill battle as he tries to secure a stronger foothold through upcoming races. His Bristol exit underscores the ongoing challenges Elliott has faced throughout the season, placing his advancement prospects under serious threat.
Details Behind the Bristol Crash and Its Impact on Elliott
The crash that ended Chase Elliott’s race at Bristol unfolded on Lap 311 in a collision involving John Hunter Nemechek and Denny Hamlin. The chain reaction began when the No. 9 car, driven by Elliott, attempted to navigate a narrow gap on the outside, triggering contact with Nemechek’s Toyota. Hamlin’s car nudged Elliott’s vehicle from behind, pushing it into the outside wall and resulting in significant damage.
Analysis from NBC commentators Alex Weaver and Steve Letarte highlighted that while the incident looked like bad luck, Elliott’s own actions played a role in causing the crash. Speaking on the Inside the Race podcast, former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief and broadcaster Steve Letarte explained the situation:
“Yeah I think it’s just a misjudgement by the #9 of Chase Elliott. He’s on the outside, trying to get back to the bottom, he fills a hole that is there but closing. I don’t think John Hunter Nemechek can react enough. The reason I say that is because the #11 absolutely hits the back of John Hunter. Which tells me, if John Hunter overdrove the corner, he would drive off the nose of the #11. I feel like the fact that the #11 and the #42 are close enough to hit each other, they’re both entering at the right speed. The #9 knows what happens when you get stuck on the outside, he tries to fill a hole, he gots run into from behind. A little bit of his own doing.”
This explanation suggests Elliott attempted to regain track position by squeezing into a closing space, leaving limited reaction room for Nemechek. The resulting contact initiated the pile-up that ended Elliott’s run at Bristol prematurely.
In his own reflection, Elliott admitted uncertainty about the collision’s cause and hinted that pushing through the gap played a role:
“I thought I was doing the smart thing just trying to get back to the bottom…I thought I was clear…and then got a huge shot from behind. I’m not sure if John Hunter pushed in there or, you know, wasn’t expecting me to come back to the bottom…”
Letarte added:
“I think Chase even goes, ‘Maybe I stacked them up too much,'”
Hamlin’s involvement in the accident corresponds with the analysis that the trailing cars were running at appropriate speeds, meaning the crash was triggered not by excessive driving but by Elliott’s miscalculation in closing the gap.
Expert Insights on Elliott’s Consistency and Speed in the Playoffs
While Chase Elliott has displayed consistency during the season, his lack of dominance and raw speed has raised expert concerns regarding his ability to advance deeply into the playoffs. Steve Letarte voiced his doubts about Elliott’s prospects, stating that the driver must raise his performance level in upcoming races:
“He was the driver I was concerned about, whether he would be good enough. He’s just been consistent, but not crazy fast. He’s the type of driver who’s going to have to be a little fast, just faster in the next three races to continue.”
Letarte further analyzed Hendrick Motorsports’ current performance landscape, noting that Elliott’s speed is now on par with his teammates, a shift from past seasons where drivers like Kyle Larson and William Byron often outpaced him:
“The only thing I would say is, I don’t know if it is a benefit but the other Hendrick cars have backed up to the #9. I always had the #5 and #24 much faster than the #9. Now I think they’re all behind the Toyotas at the moment. So I guess glass half full, the #9 is the same speed as his teammates. Glass half empty is, teammates aren’t as fast as they need to be.”
This situation highlights a broader issue for Hendrick Motorsports, as the team struggles to match the pace set by rival Toyota drivers. For Elliott, this means he cannot rely on a performance advantage from within his own team and must elevate his race speed to compete.
Challenges With Qualifying and Navigating Race Traffic
Another complicating factor for Elliott’s playoff run has been his difficulty in qualifying well for races. NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck pointed out the pattern of Elliott starting outside the top 15 in each playoff event so far, forcing him to work through dense traffic on race day. This not only increases the risk of incidents but also accelerates tire wear, limiting his car’s competitiveness in the latter stages.
Currently positioned seventh in the standings, Elliott’s path forward may depend heavily on winning a race to solidify his presence in the playoffs and accumulate crucial points.
Opportunities for Bounce-Back at New Hampshire’s Magic Mile
An upcoming race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, known as The Magic Mile, offers some optimism for Elliott’s playoff outlook. Over 11 starts at this track, Elliott has delivered an average finish of 14.7 with three top ten finishes, including two top fives and a notable second-place result in July 2022.
His qualifying performances at Loudon are typically strong, suggesting that he could secure a favorable starting position to avoid the kind of traffic troubles experienced in recent events. A good run at New Hampshire could help Elliott regain momentum and strengthen his playoff campaign.
Implications for Elliott’s Playoff Future and Team Performance
The Bristol crash has not only affected Chase Elliott’s playoff points but also cast a spotlight on the challenges Hendrick Motorsports faces this season. The team’s overall decline in speed compared to their Toyota rivals complicates Elliott’s bid to advance further toward the championship.
With limited laps remaining in the playoff schedule, Elliott must increase his race pace and qualifying results to protect his position and remain a contender. The upcoming races will be critical in determining whether he can overcome these setbacks and improve his playoff fortunes.
