“I’m gonna die on this hill…” Denny Hamlin gives his verdict on Chase Elliott’s playoff chances after a poor New Hampshire outing
Chase Elliott is currently 80 points from the playoff cut-off line.
Follow Us
Chase Elliott (Credits: @TeamHendrick/Twitter) and Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)
One of the most intriguing questions, with six races left in the 2023 Cup series regular season in the NASCAR garage, is the possibility of Chase Elliott making it into the playoff. The Hendrick Motorsport’s driver, though theoretically can make it to the playoff on points, hopes to win a race and secure his eighth consecutive playoff entry.
Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin had some strong opinions about the 2020 Cup champion’s chances of making it to the playoffs after back-to-back finishes outside the top 10. Elliott found himself winless and in desperation after missing out on seven races this season. He missed six after an injury while snowboarding and one due to a race suspension for right-rearing Hamlin.
The No:11 TRD Camry, while talking about the playoff bubble in his podcast, predicted that Elliott would make it to the playoffs. He backed his arguments by pointing out that Elliott has the car and ability to score 50 points in a single race while the racers in front of him in the table won’t be able to score half of it. Hamlin also added that Elliott will secure the spot by winning a race since two of the six coming races are road courses,
“The reason I was so adamant about Chase Elliott being able to make it on points is because he is a guy who can get 50 points in a race, and we have two road courses coming. He is won there Watkins Glen many times. He could put a 50 spot up easily, so he can, in two races, do what the 16th Place guy does in four races,” Hamlin said in his Action Detrimental Podcast.
“It’s, I mean, it’s pop. Do I feel all warm and fuzzy about my prediction now? He didn’t do me any favors, that’s for sure, he still makes it. I’m gonna die on this hill, Chase Elliott is still gonna make it. But I think it’s going to be because he wins,” Hamlin added.
In case you missed it: Bob Pockrass gives a MAJOR update on Ryan Preece’s SHR future
Denny Hamlin claims that his rivals don’t have enough to keep him out of playoffs
Hamlin claimed that Elliott’s main rivals in the playoff battle, which includes the likes of Bubba Wallace, Michael McDowell, and Daniel Suarez, won’t be able to keep the 2022 Regular Season champion at bay. He added that the rivals won’t be able to match the results the No:9 team will produce within weeks.
“I think he makes it because he wins a race, but I mean, looking at the guys that he’s got to run down, you know they, they’re not just getting 25 points every week. Either like they just they can have a bad race and leave the racetrack with three points. He puts up 50. boom he’s down 20-something in one week, as it can happen that fast. Trust me, it can happen that fast, I know,” Hamlin said.
He went to promise to the Elliott fans that the possibility of the Chvey driving making playoffs isn’t less and added that he isn’t ready to give up Eliott for at least next week. He said, “I’m not going to give up till after this week. I wouldn’t give up on putting himself in. Chase fans, let’s hold hands. We are going, we’re gonna Unite, and we’re gonna will this thing to happen.”
Discover more:
Stay Updated!
Justin P Joy
(4890 Articles Published)