NASCAR Fans Furious at Chase Elliott’s Controversial Placement in Hendrick Motorsports Driver Rankings
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, walk on pit lane during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
It’s a Hendrick Motorsports world and we’re all just living in it. Isn’t that right NASCAR fans? Think about it, in recent history, especially in the last few years, it’s been all Hendrick. But this begs the question, how would you rank their current lineup? Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Alex Bowman; they’re all pretty good drivers, but among each other, who pips who?
This is what was the topic of discussion in a recent FOX Sports panel.
Naturally, it was agreed that Kyle Larson is the No.1, something which doesn’t need explaining or second thoughts. But the No.2, No.3, and No.4, is something which warrants a second look, particularly, the No.4
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The FOX expert ranked Alex Bowman as No.2, William Byron as No.3, and 2020 Cup champion Chase Elliott as No.4.
How would you rank the @TeamHendrick drivers 1-4? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qHqJonvFoK
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 9, 2022
Now, this was something that annoyed NASCAR fans as they made their case for ‘The son of Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.’
So Chase won the championship 2 years ago, was in the championship 4 last year, might have won auto club had his teammate been paying attention, and you're going to put Byron ahead of him? Maybe you shouldn't get high before the show.
— Jeremy W (@fortified_88) March 9, 2022
He’s a Chase Elliott hater in disguise. @chaseelliott is always first in my book. The team meeting was for Larson to learn to play nice with his teammates and not wreck them.
— trish huffman (@trishhuffman) March 9, 2022
Your high if your putting chase last… Larson is the clear 1. 2 I’m putting chase 3 bowman 4 Byron
— Cory Hart (@CoryHar18702) March 9, 2022
What the heck kind of take was that? Willy b is like 30th in points or something and you rank him higher than chase? Lol
— Jimmy Piper (@Pipeline_777) March 9, 2022
Nate smoking some good stuff
— Aneil (@realdealAneil) March 9, 2022
Chase Elliott fans in meltdown mode
— Aaron Seitsinger (@AaronSeitsinger) March 9, 2022
Is Chase Elliott really the fourth-best at Hendrick currently?
It has to be mentioned before anything – opinions are subjective, facts are objective.
If we take the route of facts in this question, then Chase Elliott comes out to be the third-best driver in his team. This is because he has won two races in the last year, while Alex Bowman has won five, Byron has won one.
In fact, Bowman has won more races than any other driver on the grid except Larson.
But then again, if one takes into account the fact that Chase Elliott won the Cup Series not long ago, and he was close to winning it again in 2021, it only adds to his case.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on during the qualifying heats for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
So while it’s true that Chase Elliott may not be having a jolly period in NASCAR this season for whatever reasons, one simply can’t rule out the fact that after Kyle Larson, he is arguably the driver with the most race-winning potential as well as the driver you’d bet your money on to win races.
Because all drivers face setbacks and go through phases in their careers, it’s the ones who bounce back from them are the ones who turn great.
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And believe it or not, Chase Elliott has all the makings of a great.
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