WATCH: Chase Elliott Raises His Billing as a Title Contender Despite 20th Place Finish at Darlington

A 20th place finish does not quite indicate how the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs opener went for Chase Elliott. He was gunning for glory at Darlington before a racing incident cost him the lead with just under 15 laps to go. Despite the finish, Chase Elliott has many positives to take away from the race.

Elliott wore a dejected look after the race, knowing he almost had the win in his bag. However, he can count this as a successful outing in many ways, looking at the bigger picture of making the ‘Championship 4’ race for the first time.

Elliott looks like a serious contender to challenge the veteran drivers in the playoffs.

Chase Elliott raises expectations despite 20th place finish

Leading NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass analyzed Elliott’s performance and how he raised his billing as a title contender despite the result. Elliott led for 114 laps of the 367-lap race.

“If any of you saw my picks prior to the race today, I didn’t pick Chase Elliott to be in the Championship 4,” Pockrass said on ‘Fast Thoughts with Bob Pockrass’.

“Watching the race at Darlington, it really got me thinking. Could this be Chase Elliott’s year? Could this be the time where he finally cracks the final four?” Pockrass continued.

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Partnership with Crew Chief Alan Gustafson

He then praised the partnership between Chase Elliott and Crew Chief Alan Gustafson. Pockrass believes the pairing will definitely provide the team with dividends in the rest of these playoffs.

“What I saw today should have Chase fans optimistic. Yeah, he didn’t finish the way they wanted. But he was up there, he had good strategy with Alan Gustafson,” he said further.

“I know some of you aren’t the biggest Alan Gustafson fans, but I think the Alan Gustafson-Chase Elliott pairing is a good one,” Pockrass opined.

Kevin Harvick expressed how good Chase Elliott is at Martinsville. Building on that, Pockrass added, “So now that that’s the last race as far as the cutoff into the championship four, maybe things are now finally aligning for Chase Elliott to have a shot at the title.”

Elliott has made the playoffs in every Cup Series season he has raced in so far. His best result is the Round of 8 in each of the last three seasons. He has three race wins this year.