Chase Elliott to miss the Las Vegas Cup race after leg injury due to snowboarding accident
Chase Elliott hasn’t missed a single NASCAR Cup race since his debut, and Vegas will be his first.
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Hendrick Motorsports No:5 Chevy Camaro ZL1 driver Chase Elliott met with a snowboarding accident in Colorado on Friday, March 3. The 2020 Cup champion underwent surgery and is in recovery well, according to team owner Rick Hendrick. Elliott will miss the third race if the season is in Las Vegas.
Elliott was in fine form going into the race as he returned from a P2 finish behind Kyle Busch at Fontana. He outraced Ross Chastain, who dominated most of the race toward the end. The most popular driver on the grid hasn’t missed out on a single Cup race since his debut. HMS is yet to give any update on the full details and seriousness of the injury.
“Chase’s health is our primary concern. He’s spoken with several members of our team and is understandably disappointed to miss time in the car. Of course, he has our full support, and we’ll provide any resources he needs,” Rick Hendrick said in a statement released.
The 18 times Cup race winner will need a waiver from the sanctioning body to b eligible for the playoff since he is a full-time driver. 23XI Racing’s Kurt Busch was the last driver to get a waiver; he was eligible for playoff entry, given he made it back before the playoffs after suffering a concussion. Busch failed to do so and was disqualified.
The news is worrisome for team owner Rick Hendrick, who has reported taking a step back from strictly prohibiting his drivers from taking part in daredevil stunts or arcing in other series. Kye Larson was allowed to race in other series, and Rick Hendrick will also fund his Indy 500 entry in 2024. It is unknown whether Elliott has such restrictions in his contract, but the team owner will have some clauses for such incidents in the future.
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JR Motorsport driver Josh Berry will replace Chase Elliott in Las Vegas
Thirty-two years old JRM driver Josh Berry will drive the No:9 Chevy on Sunday after his scheduled Xfinity series outing on Saturday. It will mark the third Cup race entry of Berry’s career. He made two starts in the 2021 season with Spire Motorsports.
Berry finished P4 in the Xfinity championship driving for the No:8 team last season. He scored three wins and eight top-five finishes but slipped to the midfield in the season’s final three races. The race will mark his Next-Gen car debut as well.
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Justin P Joy
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