Chase Elliott might pull off a Carl Edwards, as fans believe he isn’t enjoying NASCAR anymore

Chase Elliott will serve a one-race ban next week for right-hooking Denny Hamlin at Charlotte.


Chase Elliott might pull off a Carl Edwards, as fans believe he isn’t enjoying NASCAR anymore

Chase Elliott and Carl Edwards

Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott is the most popular driver in the garage. He inherited his father, Bill Elliott’s massive fandom and is the active driver with the most star value. The 2020 Cup series champion is already one of the greatest ever, and he was recently named to the list of 75 greatest drivers ever.

Elliott was one of the most impressive drivers last season. He finished the year with the regular season championship and P4 in the Cup season finale. Coming into the 2023 season, he was expected to produce another impressive year and fight for the championship again. He had a solid start to the season before suffering a tibia injury after a snowboarding accident that ruled him out for six races.

YouTube video

Elliott, though he made his return, hasn’t yet produced a race victory-challenging performance. He will miss the upcoming Cup race at Gateway due to a suspension. He received the one-race ban for deliberately right-hooking Denny Hamlin at Coco-Cola 600 last Sunday. It will be the 7th race he will be missing this season.

FS Video

With everything happening around the champion driver in NASCAR, some fans theorize that Elliott might suddenly announce his retirement from NASCAR, just like legendary driver Carl Edwards. A NASCAR fan with a Twitter profile named Bama Buddy pointed out that Elliott isn’t showing the same passion as he once used to do in post-race interviews and NASCAR events.

Does Chase Elliott even want to still race? I’m not seeing the passion this year on track or in interviews from him. Makes it tough and honestly not that fun to be a 9 fan lately,” He tweeted. Another fan, Tim Wilson, pointed out that though it’s unlikely, Elliott might pull off a Carl Edwards, as 2023 so far has disappointed him.

I’ve said this before… i know it’s unlikely, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Chase pulls a Carl Edwards and says I’m out. It just doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it at times. I know I could be completely wrong, but something just seems off. This goes back to last year too,” Wilson Tweeted.

Discover: Stewart Haas Racing caught for counterfeiting: Chase Briscoe hit with the severest penalty in Next-Gen era

NASCAR Twitter has a mixed reaction to the Chase Elliott theory

Chase Elliott (2)
Chase Elliott (Credits: @SunocoRacing)

Fans had a mixed reaction to the theory. Some pointed out that though impassionate approach from the driver is due to the disappointing start to the season. They claim that once he can get back to winning ways, the passion will return. Some fans, on the other hand, shared concerns that Elliott is starting to lose the love for NASCAR.

In case you missed it: