When it comes to popularity in NASCAR, the No. 9 Chevy probably ranks first among all other Cup Series drivers. After all, this 27-year-old Hendrick Motorsports speedster has held the fan-decided most popular award for a 5th consecutive year. He is a frontman for the Hooters Chase Elliott Chicken Tenders, and his team has organized numerous merch giveaways over his career with Rick Hendrick. So Chase not making the playoffs this year is a blow for NASCAR.

At the same time, it has favored 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace. Had the No. 9 of HMS emerged victorious at Watkins Glen or even at Daytona, the narrative of Denny Hamlin‘s team in this year’s round of 16 would have been very different. In a recent episode of Door Bumper Clear, a NASCAR insider revealed his thoughts on the same.

Bubba Wallace might not have been in the playoffs had Chase not gone snowboarding, believes the NASCAR spotter

Chase Elliott missed the playoffs, ending a 7-year run that included 4 championship appearances in three consecutive seasons and the 2020 Cup Series title. And all of that accounts for an injury and a series of missed races.

However, NASCAR is most likely to lose a hefty chunk of publicity and funds with its most popular driver out of the playoffs. Brett Griffin felt like NASCAR needed Chase Elliott in the race. He exclaimed, “It’s like the Dallas Cowboys having a crappy year after winning the Super Bowl the year before.”

Nevertheless, Brett Griffin also stressed that Bubba Wallace was the sole benefactor of Chase’s poor luck. Had Chase not missed 6 races to a snowboarding accident and another one to a penalty, or if Alex Bowman had not injured himself while driving a Sprint car, Bubba Wallace might not have made it in.

Watch this story: Watch: When Michael Jordan Trolled His Own Driver Bubba Wallace

After Chase Elliott’s day at Watkins Glen came to an end due to a poor pit strategy, fans vehemently bashed his crew chief for ruining a road course race for the Golden Boy of Hendrick Motorsports. However, Bett Griffin acquitted Alan Gustafson of the charges pressed against him.

Kaulig Racing president Brett Griffin joins hands to support Alan Gustafson

Trending

Spire Motorsports Backs Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Allegations Bleeding Rick Hendrick Dry

May 20, 2024 02:20 AM EDT

NASCAR Fans in Shock as Rick Hendrick’s Disgruntled Star Tarnishes HMS’ Legacy at North Wilkesboro

May 20, 2024 02:50 AM EDT

“They Didn’t Wait for Tony [Stewart],” Rick Hendrick’s Failure to Beat “Favoritism Allegations” Has Angry Fans Questioning NASCAR’s Genius

May 20, 2024 01:15 AM EDT

Kyle Larson Left Unsatisfied With Retired Kevin Harvick’s Feedback as He Struggled Despite a Winning Car

May 20, 2024 06:25 AM EDT

HMS’ Class Act Backfiring on Tony Stewart & Co. Leaves Kevin Harvick’s Former Crew Chief in Shock

May 19, 2024 07:14 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

When Elliott’s number 9 Chevrolet ran out of fuel on lap 55 of the 90-lap race. Alan Gustafson had deemed it best for the Chevy star to run one lap over the leader, William Byron, and then make a pit stop. However, this decision backfired, and since then, fans on the internet have been urging Mr. H to fire his crew chief.

Brett asked Chris Rice whether he would hire Gustafson if he had the chance. Chris Rice lost no time and said, “Oh good gracious, yeah! He is good!”

Brett then went on to say that Chase Elliott’s 2023 journey was not about the crew chief or even about Chase Elliott. He opined that now that they are out of the playoffs, the pressure that the No. 9 team has been shouldering since Chase came back from his hiatus is finally off. He feels that they can now focus on gaining their lost momentum back.

Read more: NASCAR Insider Reveals Rick Hendrick’s “Scheme” With Chase Elliott

“When Chase Elliott injured himself, that’s part of life, it was an accident; the guy’s snowboarding, he’s not doing anything that’s overly dangerous,” he added.

Hendrick Motorsports fans cross their fingers as Chase Elliott prepares himself for next season. Moreover, with the #9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in on owner points, fans probably hope that Chase might be able to get Rick Hendrick his 300th win. What do you think about that? Let us know in the comments below!