Chase Elliott’s impressive run of finishing within the top 20 in every NASCAR Cup Series race in 2024 came to an unexpected halt on the final lap of the July 7 Chicago race, where he placed 21st.
This streak was further disrupted during the July 14 race at Pocono, when Elliott and three other drivers, including his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, were penalized for speeding in a confusing section of the track.
This incident marked Elliott’s first speeding penalty in 92 races. His crew chief, Alan Gustafson, did not shy away from expressing his discontent with NASCAR’s decision during a conversation with Elliott over the team radio.
“How much too fast were we?” Elliott inquired.
“.16 miles per hour,” Gustafson replied.
Elliott, puzzled, remarked, “I don’t understand. The rest of the day had been okay. I don’t feel like I was that much different.”
“That zone was way off from the get-go,” Gustafson responded. “It’s been way off. You know, you’re just flying blind on it. It’s been wrong, so just don’t focus on it. Unfortunately, they didn’t admit their own fault there.”
This was not the first time Elliott and his team had found themselves at odds with NASCAR’s rulings.
During a media session on July 13, Elliott was asked about the penalty issued to Bubba Wallace in Chicago and whether he thought it was justified.
“I don’t really think he should have been fined,” Elliott said. “I understand it, but man, you’re getting in the weeds with some of that stuff. Nobody was hurt.
It was unfortunate, considering Alex won the race and the circumstances around it. But I didn’t see it being a huge deal.”
Despite the controversies, Elliott has demonstrated remarkable consistency in 2024. While his teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron have garnered attention with three wins each, Elliott has quietly maintained the best average finishing position in the series at 10.5. This performance places him ahead of Tyler Reddick, who has an average finish of 11.7, and fellow Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson, who round out the top five.
Elliott’s ability to avoid poor finishes and consistently place within the top 20, as he did again by finishing ninth at Pocono, underscores his reliability on the track.
