Denny Hamlin spent the past couple weeks on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast saying that Chase Elliott would qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on points.
Hamlin’s confidence in the 2020 Cup Series champion has since wavered following this past weekend’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Elliott crashed out in 36th place after getting caught up in a Lap 35 crash, further falling behind the playoff cutline with now three races remaining before the playoffs begin in September.
Speaking on his podcast following the conclusion of Sunday/Monday’s race, Hamlin said that Elliott must now win to have any shot at making the playoffs.
“It’s time, I might have to jump off the wagon,” Hamlin said, via The SportsRush. “He just couldn’t afford a wreck and he had a wreck. Obviously, not his doing. He blew a right rear there. He’s gonna have to win a race. I’ve really thought he could gain, six to 12 playoff points on McDowell and the next thing you know now he’s down with a -28 finish. It’s not like McDowell’s been very good.
“Chase had an opportunity and again, it’s not on him but unfortunate he blew a tire there.”
Winning the only option for Chase Elliott moving forward
Elliott, who sits 55 points back of Ty Gibbs for the 16th and final playoff spot, agreed with Hamlin after the race. Winning is indeed the only option.
“It’s the only option,” Elliott told reporters.
Then again, that approach isn’t all that different than what Elliott thought heading into Michigan.
“My stance has been the same since I got back and I think we need to win,” Elliott said. “And like I’ve said a thousand times since I’ve been back, I think gaining a lot of points and contending for wins is very much one in the same. It’s not a coincidence that the guys that are high up in points have race wins but they’re also leading the regular season thing or whatever it’s called, too. Like those two things go hand in hand. So, if you’re gaining a lot of points, you’re probably going to have a shot to win and if you’re not, you’re probably not going to have a shot to win. I think those are one in the same.”
Elliott’s next opportunity at getting into victory lane will be this Sunday in the Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.