In the 2023 Cup Series, Chase Elliott, having previously grappled with a series of challenges, stepped onto the Daytona track, ready to take the bull by the horns. Given the critical juncture he found himself in, it was clear from the get-go that he was pulling out all the stops, aiming to be the pacesetter.

Yet, in his zealous pursuit of the lead, he nearly knocked the wind out of Dale Earnhardt Jr‘s sails, leaving him utterly flabbergasted at the close shave resulting from Elliott’s perilous misjudgment or probably a strategic move.

Elliott’s recovery from a potentially deadly mistake startled Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On the 53rd lap, while Elliott was initially threading the needle at the base of a three-wide formation, in a bid to overtake, he veered dangerously close to the left door of #47, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, teetering on the brink of wreckage. An inch here or there, the contact had all the potential to be the first Big One of the race. 

From his vantage point in the commentary booth, an astounded Dale Earnhardt Jr shouted, “Oh man! They are almost wrecking right there. Chase Elliott got up the race track into the #47.”

In the wake of this electrifying moment, what was three-wide traffic on the track momentarily morphed into four-wide. Merely moments prior to this heart-stopping incident, Elliott had a moment in the sun by leading the 50th lap, only to then cede his prime position.

However, it wasn’t just Dale Jr who had his heart in his mouth looking at the incident on the 53rd lap. The spectators too were on tenterhooks, fully cognizant that Elliott’s audacious move could have spelled the end of his race had the merest brush gone awry.

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The community is left astounded by the unpredictable move by Chase Elliott

While a commendable number admired the steel in his spine for daring to challenge this year’s Daytona 500 victor, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., under such nail-biting circumstances, a slew of others foresaw that he was skating on thin ice and predicted a possible crash before the checkered flag dropped. Below are a few remarks from seasoned NASCAR connoisseurs that made waves on Twitter concerning the incident:

“what happens when you put ricky stenhouse and chase elliott three wide”

“Feeling like the #9 will cause a accident before this thing is over”

“”OHHHHH ohh ohhh ohhhhh MAN!” – @DaleJr THAT WAS DICEY, DICEY, DICEY! #NASCAR”

“Lousy”

“NERVES. Chase Elliott is aggressive tonight!”

“Chase Elliott got through the big one LFG”

“Common Chase Elliott Daytona wreck avoidance masterclass”

Given the high stakes, it’s hardly surprising that such incidents should transpire. After all, the race is an eleventh-hour opportunity for the HMS Golden Boy to secure his berth among the top 16 of the playoff rounds.

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